Ian Lenagan insists there will be no divided loyalties when Wigan begin their Super League XIII campaign away to Harlequins tomorrow.
The Wigan-born businessman realised a boyhood dream in December when he took control of his home town club. However, Lenagan also remains the majority shareholder of Harlequins and admits he still has a soft spot for the London team.
The self-made millionaire admits it was be a special occasion for him, but he is nailing his colours firmly to the Wigan mast.
“It will be a bit special but I could have done without it being the first game,” he said. “I didn’t want to be seen as the enemy because I enjoyed my three years at Harlequins and I love the fans. I would have preferred to have gone as a friend.
“But that’s life. There will be no doubt about who I will be supporting.”
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Lenagan stepped down as the chairman of Harlequins when he completed his Wigan buy-out from Dave Whelan. However, he still holds 65 per cent of the shares in Quins and says he may keep a stake in the club for the foreseeable future.
“I am allowed under the rules to hold my 65 per cent for two years, provided that I have no influence whatsoever on the running of Harlequins, which I don’t,” he said. “There is a new chairman and chief executive in Keith Hogg and Paul Brown and they have been running it since November.
“I have nothing to do with it other than the fact that I own the shares and take part in the funding. There is no rush to sell my shares. I would rather ensure by my presence that the financial future of Harlequins is secure, which I think is quite important, particularly going into the applications for the licences.
“I won’t be doing anything for six months and maybe even longer. I am allowed to keep 25% of the shares long term if I want.”
Constrained by the salary-cap regulations, Lenagan and Joe Lydon, the chief executive have restricted their close-season buys to Richard Mathers, George Carmont and Karl Pryce and, although he expects the Warriors to improve on last year’s sixth-place finish, he is warning against over-optimism.
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“We’ve only had a couple of months to have any influence at Wigan and we’re obviously constrained by the salary cap - quite rightly so,” he said. “But we’ve brought some good players in. We have a better squad than last year and we’re fitter than last year.
“I’m not saying this is going to be a wonder season for Wigan because it’s an interim year. We’re focusing now on the squad for next year.”
He also believes Harlequins can defy the pundits who expect them to be vying with promoted Castleford for the wooden spoon. “I have seen Harlequins tipped to finish anywhere between eighth and 12th and I really don’t understand that at all,” he said.
“Harlequins have retained 80 per cent of the same squad and brought in some good players. Wigan were considering going for young (David) Howell as well.”