Lanterna Rally

Author: Matt Macaulay

Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd

Published: 2015-11-28

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 1784625108

Wiganosophy is a social commentary. It blends philosophical discourse with rugby league, and Wigan – and you don’t see a lot of that. Socrates would’ve liked rugby league. He was reputedly an argumentative, awkward and belligerent little man who enjoyed nothing better than poking at authority with a pointy stick. He’d have fitted right in. He would probably even have made a decent hooker. But we’ll never know, because they poisoned him. The philosophers of old have long since gone and, of course, we must posthumously thank them for enlightening us in regard to the true nature of life, the universe and everything. Unfortunately, though, their combined philosophical musings reveal a glaringly obvious omission. They didn’t talk anywhere near enough about rugby league. Or even Wigan. Wiganosophy is a long overdue attempt to redress the balance and fill the gap. It is a philosophical exploration of what it means to be a devoted follower of the Wigan Warriors. Over the course of eight chapters it unravels the complexity of fanaticism one layer at a time until the true nature of the Wigan Warriors fan is laid bare. It’s a bit like playing a game of Pass The Parcel with a cherry and white hooped Egyptian mummy. At the end of the game you are left with a lot of mess on the floor and hopefully some worthy answers. Wiganosophy does not shy away from the difficult questions regarding the nature of the town itself, the club’s reputation or even the status of rugby league as a national sport. Wiganosophy is a philosophical discourse and an honest examination of the nature of the sport, the town and the customs.