Wigan's season-opener at Aston Villa will mark the start of a Premier League dream for new manager Roberto Martinez.
The Spaniard signed for Wigan as a player in 1995 when, as a member of the `Three Amigos', he was joined at a crumbling Springfield Park by countrymen Jesus Seba and Isidro Diaz.
The Latics were then playing in the bottom division but Martinez insists that the prospect of one day becoming a top-flight club was never just a wild fantasy.
"That's why we signed for Wigan," he said. "Dave Whelan (the owner) was a very infectious character. He told us the only reason he bought the club was to play in the Premier League and to build a new stadium and when Mr Whelan tells you something you immediately believe that he is going to achieve it."
It took Wigan a further 10 years and a switch to a brand new all-seater ground to reach the elite and by the time they completed their meteoric rise Martinez was playing for Swansea City. But managerial success with the Welsh side and a move back to the Latics as boss in June means the 36-year-old will finally lead Athletic into Barclays Premier League battle at Villa Park.
Martinez added: "Many eyebrows were raised when we signed for Wigan in the old Second Division but the reason was we wanted to be part of the club and we could feel the success behind it. Now is a moment to be proud when you look where we are. I don't think the circle will ever be finished until we can compete at Premier League level and that is the challenge. I don't think you can enjoy the circle because now the job really starts for Wigan Athletic to try and go to the next level."
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Whelan did say cattermole was going nowhere and martinez also said we are a buying club we do not need to sell bob also said he wanted to build his team around cattermole, as for 29 million quid we need at least two more strikers before the window closes because if scotland or rodallega get injured then we are in the smelly brown stuff.
Only two strikers at the club martinez needs to sign at least two more strikers if rodallega or scotland get injured then we are in a right mess........................as for whelan I
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mr whelan said that cattermole was not going anywhere and look what happened .we need some established players out of the 29 million he has recently pocketed to convince other players to join us 2 more then we willbe fine
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