LATICS HOPE ROYLES DELIVER CROWN JEWELS

WIGAN’S old king Dave Whelan has been succeeded by the Royle family.

The Latics’ ambitious new owners, Hong Kongbased International Entertainment Corporation (IEC), have brought in Darren Royle to run the club as executive chairman.

And they have appointed a footballing blue blood in his dad Joe as a director.

Darren (left) is steeped in football because of his famous striker father and he said: “My earliest footballing memory is of Bristol City.

“My dad scored four goals on his debut against Middlesbrough (in 1977). We moved all around the country as a family. It was a really privileged upbringing, watching a lot of football.

“That experience has helped. I’ve always been around people at the clubs my dad’s been at.”

Darren, 44, worked in pharmaceuticals before moving into football with Prozone. And he is quick to dismiss any claims of nepotism, saying IEC decided to bring Joe on board because of his experience as a manager with Oldham, Everton, Manchester City and Ipswich.

“A lot of people have said it’s a smart move to get in a local operator like him, with so much experience of the industry,” he added. George Thomas is available again for Scunthorpe after Wales duty. Pompey’s Brett Pitman (above) is back but Joe Mason is ruled out.