It was Maloney’s corner that produced Ben Watson’s last-minute winner against Manchester City in 2013 as Wigan claimed their first major trophy.
Ten years later and with Wigan’s future looking decidedly bleak, the supporters’ club brought the cup final team and manager Roberto Martinez back together last May to celebrate the famous win.
“It’s the only time I have watched the final back,” adds Maloney, who became Wigan’s third manager of the season when he was appointed in January 2023 with the club bottom of the Championship.
“Watching it then meant more to me because I knew the state the club was in behind the scenes. It was a welcome distraction from everything that was going on.”
Maloney flew to Bahrain to seek assurances over funding from chairman Talal Al Hammad and Wigan’s ultimate owner Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi.
“I was told the financial situation had been fixed but it soon became clear that wasn’t the case,” he says.
Did he think about walking away as Wigan’s hopes of staying in the Championship were hit by numerous points deductions?
“I wasn’t getting paid. I have a family and I had a decision to make,” he adds.
“I also have a connection with Wigan Athletic and I felt I had to try my best to create an environment to try and win games.
“But each time we weren’t paid and had points were taken off us, it felt like a really big blow.
“It was a very difficult and unstable time.”
Wigan would be 10th in League One had they not started the season with minus eight points. Instead they sit 18th, four points above the relegation zone.
“I’ve done a fair bit of reading up on other teams that have been deducted points and how they have faired,” adds Maloney.
“Bournemouth is a really good case study. They started 2008-09 with minus 17 points in League Two. They ended that season with Eddie Howe in charge and they just stayed up. They built from there.
“We need to stay in League One and build. If we can stay in this league with minus eight points, an embargo and a dozen academy players… it would be a big achievement for any team to have to go through that and stay up.”
