Wigan Athletic forward Stephen Humphrys has shed light on his decision to reject lucrative offers from Wrexham and a European club, emphasizing his commitment to Wigan despite the lack of a renewed contract. His comments provide insight into the loyalty he has for his current club, even when faced with attractive financial opportunities elsewhere.
What Humphrys Said
Speaking to Wigan Today, Humphrys detailed the offers he turned down and his reasoning behind the decisions:
On Wrexham’s Bid: “At the time, Wrexham had come in for me, who were paying really good wages…and I still didn’t want to leave Wigan for Wrexham. I think they put an actual bid in for me, but I didn’t want to leave Wigan, so that was Wrexham off the table.”
On a European Offer: “There was another club, in Europe, who also came in with really good money on the table. Again, I said no, I said, ‘let’s get this sorted here, I want to stay.’ But God’s honest truth, there wasn’t another contract offer from that day forward.”
On His Commitment to Wigan: “My position was always: ‘This is where I’m at, I’m turning down more money than I’ve been offered elsewhere, I’m more than happy to stay here for less money – not less than what I was on, but less than other clubs are offering’…because I wanted to stay.”
Loyalty Over Money
Humphrys’ statements underline his deep loyalty to Wigan Athletic. Despite offers that would have significantly increased his earnings, he chose to prioritize his place at Wigan. His decision is particularly striking given Wigan’s financial struggles and the uncertainty surrounding contract renewals.
Stephen Humphrys’ story is a testament to his dedication and love for Wigan Athletic. Turning down offers from Wrexham and a European club shows that, for some players, loyalty to a team outweighs financial incentives. Whether Wigan rewards this loyalty with a renewed contract remains to be seen, but Humphrys has clearly won the admiration of fans for his unwavering commitment to the club.
Key Takeaways
Humphrys rejected Wrexham’s and a European club’s lucrative offers.
He prioritized staying at Wigan despite financial challenges.
His loyalty highlights his passion for the club and its fans.