FINAL COUNTDOWN
A look back at Latics' Final Day dramas over the last decade
Will Sunday prove to be another historic occasion for the club? If the last decade is anything to go by, one thing will be guaranteed: drama.
A quick look back through recent history suggests that when it comes to bringing the season to a climax, Latics know how to do it in style. Including Sunday's big Premiership decider, there has only been one season in the last ten - 2001-02 - when Latics finished the season with a whimper rather than a bang!
It's been a hell of a ride, from Chesterfield at Springfield Park in front of 5,858 spectators to Manchester United at the JJB with a global audience of 400 million.
But what will happen in the next instalment of Final Day Drama?
FINAL DAY DRAMA - THE LAST TEN SEASONS!
May 8th 1999
LATICS 3 CHESTERFIELD 1
Latics qualify for the play-offs against Manchester City thanks to this dramatic victory in the last ever normal league fixture at Springfield Park.
May 6th 2000
BOURNEMOUTH 2 LATICS 2
Latics had an outside chance of automatic promotion going into the game, a draw in the end meant a second year in the play-offs, against Millwall, then Wembley heartache against Gillingham
May 5th 2001
LATICS 0 BRISTOL CITY 0
More final day drama as Latics scrape into the play-offs for a 3rd year running, this time under Steve Bruce, with Reading our ultimate conquerors.
April 20th 2002
COLCHESTER UNITED 2 LATICS 2
The exception! A draw at Layer Road completes Paul Jewell's first season at the club with Latics finishing in 10th.
May 3rd 2003
LATICS 1 BARNSLEY 0
Story: Division 3 runaway Champions Super Latics break the 100 points barrier at the JJB Stadium!
On Hundred and Up!
May 9th 2004
LATICS 1 WEST HAM UNITED 1
Final day heartbreak as a late Brian Deane equaliser denies Latics a play-off place in Latics' maiden season in Division 1 (Championship-level)
May 8th 2005
LATICS 3 READING 1
Promotion to the Premiership achieved on an historic day for the club!
He We Come - To Stay!
May 7th 2006
ARSENAL 4 LATICS 2
Paul Scharner's early goal stuns The Gunners in their historic Highbury Farewell but Latics play their part in an extraordinary day. And there was Pascal Chimbonda's gloved transfer request too!
I WAS THERE - The Highbury Farewell
May 13th 2007
SHEFFIELD UNITED 1 LATICS 2
Quite simply one of the most emotional days in the club's history as a stunning performance blunts the Blades and secures Premier League survival, quickly followed by Paul Jewell's dramatic resignation
"WE ARE STAYING UP"
MAY 11th2008
LATICS v MANCHESTER UNITED
Can Latics pull off a huge shock result to dent United's Championship party in front of a sold out JJB and an estimated watching audience of 400 million?
