Vine: Dave Whelan slags off Leeds in farewell speech as Wigan chairman

Not a bad way to bow out

Dave Whelan took to the mic for the last time this afternoon at the DW stadium as he bows out of football after 20 years at the helm of Wigan. The end has been a long time coming. He vowed to stay on for just the season after the club was relegated, in 2013, he was fined almost €75k in December for racist comments about Jewish and Chinese people, and also came in for criticism for appointing Malky Mackay as manager at the club. Earlier this week he announced he was stepping down and his 23-year-old grandson, David Sharpe, will take over his role as chairman of the club as they look to avoid relegation in the Championship The 80-year-old was at the stadium this afternoon  to address fans ahead of the clash between Wigan and Leeds but the visiting fans were less than respectful during his three minutes on the mic. The away fans chanted throughout his short speech and he responded with a nice jibe in their direction,reminding them of their lack of success in the FA Cup compared to Wigan's remarkable triumph over Manchester City two years ago. He may have got his years slightly wrong,its actually 43 years since Leeds won the FA cup but a nice barb nonetheless. Whatever you think about him,football will be slightly duller for his absence,

Dave Whelan "Leeds United have not won the FA Cup for 25 years" #1972 #LUFC pic.twitter.com/TYi4889la3 — WALMOT3 (@WALMOT3) March 7, 2015