Former Wigan boss Bryan Hamilton is delighted to see his old club in today’s FA Cup final, but hopes reaching Wembley doesn’t interfere with the more important business of securing their place in the Premier League. Ex-Town midfielder Hamilton, 66, was in charge of the Latics, who face Manchester City this afternoon, between 1985 and 1986 and again from 1989 until 1993.
The Northern Irishman is looking forward to the match, which controversially kicks off at 5.15pm rather than at the traditional 3pm.
"It should be a very good game,” he said. "I’m pleased for them, I just hope it doesn’t detract from what they’re trying to do with regards to staying in the league. But I’m sure they’ll have a wonderful day.
"I think the manager’s a super manager, Roberto Martinez has done a fabulous job, his team plays lovely football, he’s made good signings and I hope they have a great day.
"Will they beat Man City? It’s going to be tight, it’s a one-off match but I think their priority has to be staying in the Premiership.”
Hamilton watches Town regularly while working for the club in a hospitality capacity and says that having escaped relegation this season, Mick McCarthy’s side could be pushing at the right end of the table this time next year.
He says 2012/13 was always going to be hard after the Blues got off to a poor start: "Having played and managed and coached, you know that if you don’t get off to a good start it makes it that bit more difficult.
"But I thought they worked hard to get back into it. The managerial change did help. I thought Paul Jewell worked hard, but it just didn’t go his way.
"Mick came in, stabilised it and I think he was lucky. I think you need that element of luck whereas Paul’s team [didn’t get it].
"I remember the Cardiff game, they were top of the league we were bottom of the league, we played ever so well and it was 1-1 and I thought we could nick it 2-1, but as it was it went against Ipswich 2-1.
"Mick’s come in and I’ve seen matches where they haven’t played unbelievably well and yet they’ve nicked it 1-0 at the end.
"He’s done a fantastic job, he’s set the foundation down for next season and with luck next year you never know where we might end up.”