A whole lot can happen in a year in football, but in just six months, Leon Balogun is experiencing the most memorable phase of his footballing career, and Wigan fans are loving him for it
Many supporters of Wigan Athletic have taken to social media site Twitter to applaud the contributions of Super Eagles defender Balogun after the former Mainz ace helped the side keep a clean-sheet in the historic 8-0 drubbing of Hull City on Tuesday night.
Balogun started the season in the Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion, but after failing to feature for the side despite being fit, the Nigerian defender opted for a loan move to Wigan Athletic in January.
It didn’t look like the best of deals: a Bundesliga-trained Nigeria international heading to an uninspired Championship side losing the struggle to remain in the division.
But Balogun’s introduction coincided with the Latics upturn in fortunes; a team that had only won one of 17 games leading up to mid-January, has lost only twice in 15 matches since the beginning of February.
Earlier this month, however, the worst struck, and Wigan announced that they are in administration with the resultant penalty being a deduction of 12 points from their garnered total.
But the club received that blow to the chin impressively with the club directors working for free, the players playing on reduced wages, and a record-breaking win following all that.
An elated Balogun shared his emotions on his official Twitter account, confessing how beautiful it has been representing Wigan’s badges through one of the club’s most challenging periods.
“Back with a bang. Whatever happens: I’m proud & grateful to be part of THIS team at that time! The character of the team is simply amazing & I wouldn’t want to miss it! This win is for everybody working for, supporting, and loving this club! Up the f****** Tics,” he wrote.
https://twitter.com/LeonBalogun/status/1283155275210534912
Those moving words touched the hearts of the Latics fans, and they flooded his comment section with their love and admiration.
You've only been here a few months, and you're already a club legend, like every single other player in this squad. Thank you
— Nathan (@NathanAvie) July 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/Ashy1977/status/1283157741981376513
https://twitter.com/GallenLeung/status/1283155573119352832
https://twitter.com/FaceOfDoh/status/1283161627400048641
https://twitter.com/Green75Daz/status/1283160507839647752
You've been here for a few weeks, you'll probably leave us shortly, been injured, could have ruined a move by playing tonight, but no, you play for our club, the fans, everyone. Superb Leon
— Neil Sherratt (@AbramLatic) July 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/fizzywhizzy2/status/1283177595257921537
Top player and top bloke….. hope we get a buyer and they buy you so we’re even stronger for next season fight….. Respect for playing on with no club at the end of it…. you looked Rolls Royce last night UTFT
— Tree & Crown (@Treencrown_1932) July 15, 2020
https://twitter.com/emma69175883/status/1283277203740950529
https://twitter.com/WAFCDaniel/status/1283156204395671559
https://twitter.com/iamthepenk/status/1283177300360679425
Balogun may still depart the DW Stadium if Wigan gets relegated to League One at the end of the campaign.
