The former semi-pro minnows, flying high in Division One, are on the verge of the Premiership just 25 years after joining the Football League.
The Latics joined the big time at Hereford United's Edgar Street ground on August 19, 1978, earning a 0-0 draw, after replacing Southport in the old fourth division.
A quarter of a century later, two men who played key roles in that debut, manager Ian McNeill and centre half Noel Ward, believe the club can now make the final leap to the top flight.
Ward, signed from Aberdeen, is thrilled to have seen the club come so far in such a relatively short time.
"I go every week and it's absolutely fantastic to see them in Division One," he said. "Winning promotion to the Premiership would be a wonderful achievement.
"What I'm enjoying most right now is the standard of football. I've seen some great games this season and I'm thrilled to bits to see Wigan up there challenging.
"I didn't think they'd struggle and if they're still in the top six after Christmas, who knows what's possible?
"In football, if an opportunity is there, you take it. That's how we viewed things when we got our chance in the Football League.
"I can understand why Wigan are looking at building a new fan base among younger supporters because once you get them, you have them for life."
Ward's sentiments are echoed by McNeill, now chief scout for Chelsea. "It's wonderful to see Wigan in this position, challenging for a place in the Premiership," he said. "I'm made up for the loyal supporters and all the people who have worked so hard."
This is what the members of Wigan's first League team are doing today:
1: John Brown - living in Preston, working as a bus driver.
2: Tommy Gore - had his own central heating firm, still playing a lot of golf. Lives close to Wigan.
3: Joe Hinnigan - working for Chester City as a physio and scouting. Lives in Ashton-in-Makerfield.
4: Neil Davids - based in Blackpool. Set up his own sales business.
5: Noel Ward - a supermarket manager in Wigan who lives in the town and regularly watches matches.
6: Ian Gillibrand - the legendary former skipper died a number of years ago.
7: Frank Corrigan - no longer involved with football.
8: Jeff Wright - back in North East running an insurance business. Still plays Sunday football.
9: Peter Houghton - understood to be working in car manufacturing.
10: John Wilkie - became an accountant, ran nightclubs. Now in Rhyl working on holiday parks.
11: Ian Purdie - the talented Scot emigrated to Australia and set up his own haulage business.
12: Alan Crompton - had a brief spell in non-League football after leaving Latics. Lives in Blackburn.
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