Wigan Athletic supporters will never forget James McClean 2021/22 exploits v Bolton Wanderers: View | OneFootball

Wigan Athletic supporters will always remember James McClean's performances vs Bolton Wanderers

Highlights

The 2021/22 League One season is one which will remain long in the memories of Wigan Athletic supporters as the Latics won the third tier title with an impressive tally of 92 points.

The Latics, then managed by Leam Richardson, played a direct style of attacking football and scored 82 goals that campaign, largely thanks to Will Keane, who scored 26 goals as he won the League One golden boot.

Another key member of Richardson's title-winning squad was former Republic of Ireland international James McClean, who produced a strong return of nine goals and seven assists in 31 third tier outings.

McClean was pivotal towards the Latics' 2022 League One title triumph, and was deployed as both a left-sided midfielder and a left-wing-back, as his versatility proved valuable as well as his goal contributions.

The Brick Community Stadium faithful will be most fond of the Irishman's exploits versus bitter rivals Bolton Wanderers during the 2021/22 season, as he scored a brace during a 4-0 victory for his side over the Wanderers in October 2021, as well as putting the Latics ahead during a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in April 2022.

McClean's success vs Bolton will never be forgotten by Latics fans

McClean is a popular figure among Wigan supporters, who initially joined the club from former club Sunderland in the summer of 2013.

The wideman's first spell with the Latics lasted two seasons, as he went on to join West Bromwich Albion in 2015, and despite the Greater Manchester side's relegation to League One that year, the Ireland international proved his worth.

During an otherwise disastrous 2014/15 Championship campaign, McClean scored six goals and created six assists and was deservedly awarded the Latics player of the season award.

Tics supporters did not forget their man's impressive efforts, and he was already held in high regard by the Brick Community Stadium faithful upon his return in 2021 after he left Stoke City.

McClean then solidified his status as a modern day Latics hero as his performances helped guide the Latics towards the 2022 League One title.

But most of all, many supporters will never forget 16th October 2021, when the Latics travelled down the road to face local rivals Bolton, and hammered Ian Evatt's men 4-0, courtesy of a McClean brace.

The Irishman's appetite to create memories on derby day was also evident later on that season, as he scored the opener during a 1-1 draw with Wanderers in the reverse fixture back on home soil.

McClean's performances against the Wanderers helped the Latics preserve their proud unbeaten record against their rivals, which now stretches back to 2015.

The veteran then went on to repeat his 2014/15 feat during the 2022/23 Championship campaign, as he was once again awarded the Latics player of the season award despite the club's relegation to League One.

McClean has proven his worth with Wrexham

The 35-year-old left Latics for a second, and presumably final, time last summer and joined Welsh outfit Wrexham on their quest to achieve back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One.

The versatile player was able to do just that with Phil Parkinson's men as he scored three goals and produced nine assists in a League Two season in which the Red Dragons earned automatic promotion to the third tier.

McClean will therefore be facing the Latics next season, and will return to Greater Manchester as a modern day hero when his current club lock horns with his former side at the Brick Community Stadium in April.