Coordinates: 53°32′41″N 2°37′54″W / 53.5448°N 2.6318°W / 53.5448; -2.6318

Wigan ( /ˈwɪɡən/) is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, 7.9 miles (13 km) south-west of Bolton, 10 miles (16 km) north of Warrington and 16 miles (25.7 km) west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total population of 81,203 in 2001, whilst the wider borough has a population of 305,600. The town is the headquarters of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the top tier administrative body for Greater Manchester.

Historically in the county of Lancashire, Wigan during classical antiquity was in the territory of the Brigantes, an ancient Celtic tribe that ruled much of northern England. The Brigantes were subjugated in the Roman conquest of Britain during the 1st century, and it is asserted that the Roman settlement of Coccium was established where Wigan lies. Wigan is believed to have been incorporated as a borough in 1246 following the issue of a charter by King Henry III of England. At the end of the Middle Ages it was one of four boroughs in Lancashire possessing Royal charters; the others were Lancaster, Liverpool, and Preston.

Neill Rimmer (born 13 November 1967 in Liverpool) is an English former professional football midfielder. He played in the Football League primarily for Wigan Athletic.

Rimmer became an apprentice with Everton, turning professional in April 1984. He made one first team appearance for Everton, as a substitute, before being released at the end of the 1984-85 season. In August 1985 he joined Ipswich Town, but made less than 30 first team appearances over the next three seasons. In July 1988 he joined Wigan Athletic. During the 1990-91 season he had a spell on loan with Mossley, playing three times. He returned to Wigan and went on to make over 250 first team appearances.

He later played for Altrincham, where he played five times in the Football Conference during the 1996-97 season and Scarborough.

From September 2009 to June 2010, Neill ran developmental programs for Lincoln Youth Soccer in Lincoln, Massachustts, USA. He created skills and tactical sessions for the purpose of developing youth players and coaches.

Ben Flower (born 19 October 1987, Cardiff) is a Wales international rugby league player for Wigan Warriors and the Wales national rugby league team. He previously played for Crusaders. He plays in the second-row.

Ben progressed as a rugby league player throughout 2007 starting in Crusaders Colts before becoming a regular in the first team and winning his first full Welsh cap in 2008. An under 17 international when at Cardiff Demons, Ben has also played for Wales in rugby union at under 18, under 19 and under 20 level. Signed by the Crusaders from Welsh Premiership rugby union side, Bedwas RFC, he has also turned out regional side Newport Gwent Dragons.

Ben Flower made his Wales debut against England while at Celtic Crusaders in 2008.

He represented Wales in the 2010 European Cup and the 2011 Rugby League Four Nations.