Could be extremely bad news for the local area if JJB went under. Hopefully with the amount of prime retail land it occupys not to mention it's health club-soccer dome business, JJB or part of it would be worth saving for someone.

IMO JJB has failed to move with the times and is now struggling to win the budget market (soocer sports) and the lucrative posh chav market (JD Sports). Unless it modernises and improves its image it could be the end for another big high street name.

Wouldn't be surprised to see DW buy it back at some point. Sold high, buy back cheap the climates perfect for it. I understand part of his business is now focussed on buying high street type property with income potential.

Makes you wonder whats being going on behind the scenes with JJB. They seem to have a nack of having bad relationships with suppliers/sports companies.

The reason that they are not selling Wigans shirts in 2009 is not to do with the fact that they are no longer sponsoring Wigan Warriors but that they are currently involved in a legal battle with Kooga.

Another well known sports company will be stocking the kit for 2009.

I'm pretty sure Mr Whelan now owns that successful part of the JJB empire again? He bought it back at a fraction of what he sold for IIRC late last year.

Soccer dome is owned by power league now.

THERE IS A REASON WHY I DIDNT POST THE NAME. USE YOUR BRAIN.

Very sorry for all those losing their jobs.

Frightening how much bad management has been shown up in the last six months in numerous massive companies.

They thought the kids would keep buying sports wear, he failed to realise fashion moves in cycles.

If they have huge debts, he'll bankrupt them and start again as JJB SportsWear or similar name with a different director. He'll not really be out of pocket, he's been chopping and changing his ownership over recent years so has known what was coming.

Bad management has got them into this situation. Seriously, who buys Patrick and crap like that? No one that's why they're in this position.

Lets hope everyone keeps their jobs (apart from the bad managers making bad decisions).

Mick Hogan, Hogan.

Well that's another multi-million pound deal down the drain then.