Chapter 595 - 1st January 2024

With nearly thirty thousand supporters packed into the ground, there was a different kind of energy around the stadium.

It was New Year’s Day, the first match of another year, and the Wigan supporters had arrived carrying all the optimism that came with it.

Scarves were held above heads, flags moved along the stands, and pockets of blue and white bounced whenever another section of the crowd found its voice.

The fans set the mood and waited for when their players would show themselves.

They had just been treated to a good warm-up, and the excitement for the match to begin was hard to contain.

The waiting turned into songs, as the Wigan fans began to chant the names of their players and, almost as if they’d heard it down by the tunnel, the players began to emerge.

Wigan’s blue and white home kit dominated one side of the formation, while Chelsea’s 2023/24 away strip filled the other.

The two teams filed onto the grass together, led by the officials, before each player began taking their place as the noise from the stands continued to build.

For a few moments, the two sides stood opposite one another, with the officials as the border between them while the stadium announcer came through.

Before long, the broadcast cameras settled on the pitch and with it, came the commentary.

"Good morning, wherever you’re joining us from around the world," the lead commentator began. "And from all of us here, a very happy New Year to you."

His co-commentator chuckled, then wasted no time joining in.

"Happy New Year indeed. Hopefully you’ve managed to recover from the celebrations."

"Some of us have, but I don’t think all of us have."

The pair laughed briefly as the cameras swept across the packed stands, as well as the anticipation for the first game of the new year in the Premier League.

"But what we’ve got on our hands this early morning," the lead commentator continued, "is Wigan Athletic facing Chelsea FC."

"And what a way to start the year," the co-commentator replied.

"Two sides who know each other rather well by now, and Chelsea will certainly remember the last meeting between these two."

The pleasantries continued on the pitch as the Chelsea players moved along the Wigan line, shaking hands with each opponent before moving away.

Wigan followed suit with the officials, the players exchanging brief words and gestures before separating toward their respective halves.

As the final handshakes finished, the commentators returned to the wider picture.

"There is something about these early kickoffs, isn’t there?" the lead commentator said.

"You can spend the morning thinking you’ve got a fairly straightforward fixture ahead of you, and then ninety minutes later you’re wondering what on earth happened."

"Absolutely," his co-commentator agreed.

"We’ve seen it time and time again. The first game of the year, everyone’s still finding their feet after whatever celebrations they’d had, supporters are still carrying the festive mood, and suddenly somebody walks into a result nobody expected."

"And Chelsea will be hoping they’re not on the wrong end of that today."

"Wigan will be too, but I think you are right. This match should be a response from Chelsea to Wigan!"

At their mention, the camera moved toward the Chelsea players.

"They’ll remember the last time these two met. Chelsea had home advantage that afternoon and ended up losing four-one to Wigan.

So this isn’t simply another league fixture for them. They’ll want to win this reverse fixture."

"And Wigan have plenty riding on it themselves," the lead commentator added.

"Liverpool and Manchester City are still breathing down their necks, even Arsenal, who after a difficult run of form, have slipped all the way down to fourth, having occupied second not so long ago."

"Wigan have created that gap themselves with the start they’ve had. The question now is whether they can make it bigger again after these tough recent weeks."

"Exactly. They’ve already shown they can beat the big sides. Now they have to keep doing it."

Near the centre circle, Jack Whatmough and Conor Gallagher were called over.

Paul Tierney stood between them, speaking calmly as the two captains listened and the cameras near them caught all that was going on.

"Clean game," the referee told them.

"Play fairly. I’ll do the same from my side. If there’s a foul, I’ll call it. If there isn’t, we’ll play. I do not need anyone aside from you in my face telling me how to do my job."

When the referee finished, Whatmough nodded, and Gallagher did the same.

Tierney gave them both a final look before the two captains shook hands and split away toward their teams.

High up, the stadium jumbotron suddenly changed, showing Dawson’s face in all its seriousness, and the response was immediate.

A wave of applause rolled around the DW as supporters raised their voices for the man standing near the touchline.

Dawson looked up briefly, gave a small wave toward the stands, and then returned his attention to the players on the pitch.

"They absolutely adore him here," the lead commentator said.

"And it’s easy to understand why."

"Two seasons ago, Wigan were nowhere near this stage. Now they’re sitting at the top end of the Premier League table, playing Chelsea on New Year’s Day with the entire division watching them."

"From grass to grace in two seasons," the co-commentator said. "And Dawson has been at the centre of it."

...

[A/N:] This is where the readers usually get to see this so I am putting it here. Thank you so much for all your kindness over the past month and for reading this book. As always say, without you reading, this book is practically obsolete no matter how much effort I put in and for that I am eternally grateful. Thank you so much for spending your time and money to support this book and I will continuing doing my best to keep providing you with good content. Thank yo