CALLUM McManaman has credited former 2013 FA Cup final-winning team-mate Shaun Maloney with reigniting his desire to play "for as long as he can" having quit the game 18 months ago.
The Huyton-born winger, who was man-of-the-match when Wigan shocked Manchester City in a 1-0 win under the Wembley arch, did not kick a ball for eight months after leaving Tranmere in the summer of last year.
Admitting he was "fully done" with the game at 31, McManaman knocked back opportunities to continue his career.
But, in February, having found life after football tougher than anticipated, McManaman took up newly-installed Latics chief Maloney on an offer to train with his old club.
Nothing more was promised but, after initially training with the Under-21s, he worked with the senior squad during the tail-end of last term and was subsequently handed the chance to sign permanently for Wigan for a third time.
This story is from the December 10, 2023 edition of The Football League Paper.
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This story is from the December 10, 2023 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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