Vintage Wigan Athletic Away Shirt Adidas 1999-2000

Wigan Athletic 1999-2000 – The Adidas Away Kit from the JJB Era, when the Latics Dreamed Big

In late 1999, Wigan Athletic was still playing in the third tier of English football, but the club sensed that something was changing. This 1999-2000 Adidas away kit sponsored by JJB Sports is a direct testament to that pivotal era — before the rise, before the Premier League, when everything was yet to be built.

Kit Details

Season: 1999-2000
Club: Wigan Athletic
Type: Away
Manufacturer: Adidas
Sponsor: JJB Sports
Condition: 7/10
State: PULLS, BUBBLES, LITTLE SPOTS – authentic wear of a worn vintage jersey

What this jersey represents

In 1999-2000, Wigan Athletic played in the Football League Third Division, the fourth tier of English football. The club had been owned by Dave Whelan since 1995, and the businessman — a former Blackburn player injured in the 1960 FA Cup final — had a clear ambition: to take the Latics to the highest level. The presence of the sponsor JJB Sports, the sports retailer founded by Whelan, perfectly illustrates this ambitious family project that was just beginning to take shape.

That season, Wigan Athletic relied on a solid squad to try to play a leading role in the Third Division. The club was undergoing a complete rebuild, with active recruitment and modernized infrastructure — the JJB Stadium, inaugurated in 1999, was then one of the most modern stadiums of its kind in England. Wearing this away kit meant representing a club in full transformation, about to begin an ascent that would prove historic.

Moments etched in this jersey

The Inauguration of JJB Stadium
In 1999, Wigan opened its brand new stadium, the JJB Stadium — renamed DW Stadium in 2009. A strong symbol of Dave Whelan's ambition, positioning the club as a future major player in English football, even from the lower divisions.

The Third Division, Latics' hunting ground
The 1999-2000 season saw Wigan Athletic battle in an extremely competitive Third Division. Every away match in this kit was a battle, in stadiums where nothing was ever certain and where every positive result held immense value.

The Adidas Era at Wigan
The partnership with Adidas at that time gave the Latics a visual credibility that few Third Division clubs could afford. The three stripes on a fourth-tier English jersey was a positive anomaly — a sign that this club did not see itself staying there for long.

Authentic vs. Replica

An authentic vintage jersey is not a collector's item that has never left its packaging. It's a garment that existed for real — worn, washed, lived in. The Adidas materials from the late 90s have a particular feel, specific finishes, and a construction that immediately distinguishes them from replicas of the time or modern reproductions. A trained eye instantly recognizes the difference.

This jersey shows a condition of 7/10 with pulls, some bobbles, and slight stains — this is exactly what you would expect from an authentic vintage jersey 25 years old. It's not a flaw, it's proof. These traces tell us that this jersey had a life, that it went through locker rooms, stands, perhaps some bus trips in the north of England. The wear is part of the history.

Vintage Sizing Guide

Vintage Adidas jerseys from the 90s-2000s consistently run smaller than modern standards. An XXL from 1999 often corresponds to a current L, sometimes even an M depending on the cut. Body shapes were different then, and cuts were much more fitted than today. Never rely solely on the label — a vintage XXL is still an XXL from another era.

Before buying, measure a jersey you already wear and find well-fitting: take the shoulder-to-shoulder width and the total length. Compare these measurements with those indicated in the product sheet or ask for them directly. This is the only way to avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure that this collector's Wigan Athletic jersey truly fits you.

Why have it in your collection

A Wigan Athletic 1999-2000 away kit signed by Adidas is a piece that ticks all the boxes of smart collecting. Firstly, because Wigan Athletic is one of the clubs with the most romantic trajectory in English football — from the Third Division to the Premier League, then the 2013 FA Cup victory against Manchester City, one of the most improbable results in the history of the competition. Owning a jersey from the early years of this project is holding the genesis of a unique adventure in your hands.

Secondly, Adidas away kits for Wigan Athletic from this era are rare on the market — Third Division clubs did not produce in large quantities, and away kits even less so than home kits. There aren't many circulating in this condition, with this 7/10 rating that allows it to be displayed or worn without shame. This is the sweet spot of the vintage English football jersey: authentic, rare, affordable, and carrying a real story.

To go further

• Wigan Athletic – Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive – History of jerseys
• UEFA – European Football

If you collect English football jerseys from the lower leagues of the 90s, this one clearly deserves its place — it's a rare page of a story that ended beautifully.