Everyone at Wigan Athletic Supporters Club were devastated by the news of Darren Orme’s passing this week. We would like to pay tribute to Darren and share some of our memories of him from over the years.

Darren was a member of the Supporters Club for 40 years, from being just a boy aged 14. He travelled to away games on the coaches with his Uncle Alan, and they were both absolutely mad about their beloved Wigan Athletic.

Darren always wore a Latics shirt and was a most recognisable and loved character at both home and away games.  There are many stories of great times on away trips and weekenders with Darren. Like the time at Gillingham when Darren and Uncle Alan got lost after the game looking for the coach and we drove around the town in a 57 seater coach looking for them! A huge cheer went up when we finally found them, and they got on the coach!

As a longstanding member, who was ever present at WAFC games, Darren was often asked to represent the Supporters Club over the years, including presenting the Player of the Season Award, drawing our sponsored player, and once even stepping in as Coach Steward on a trip to Stoke in 2022, and he did a great job!

He has had numerous nominations for our Fan of the Month Award, including “for being the loudest singer in any stadium”, and for bringing back programmes from away matches for fans who couldn’t attend themselves. Darren was kindhearted, and caring. Many fans talk about Darren becoming their “table friend” in the South Stand Supporters Bar. Always up for a chat about the latest signing or team performance.

Darren was Wigan Athletic through and through and he lived and breathed blue and white. We know that Darren will always be cheering Latics on in spirit. He will be very much missed.

For Darren, Once a Tic, always a Tic.

Our thoughts are with his family, and we reiterate the club’s request for privacy for them at this difficult time.

On Saturday pre-match in the South Stand Supporters Bar we will pay tribute to Darren by awarding him with our Fan of the Month Award

for March 2025. The framed certificate will be passed on to his family, and a copy will be presented to the Heritage Project to be displayed in the WAFC Heritage Museum. We will follow this with a minutes silence for Darren.

The Book of Condolences will be available in the room from 12pm until kick-off for fans to sign.

To donate to Darren’s funeral costs, here is the donations page Darren Orme – Help the Family with Funeral costs – a Community crowdfunding project in Wigan by Official Wigan Athletic Supporters Club