Dave Whelan was wealthier than former Manchester United icon David Beckham at the height of his tenure at Wigan Athletic. Moreover, had he gone ahead with his ambitions to buy the Red Devils, his wealth might have soared even higher. Whelan, who served as chairman and owner of the current League One club for two decades, guided them through an eight-year period in the Premier League, culminating in an unforgettable FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City in 2013.

While the 89-year-old no longer participates in the sport he adores, Whelan remains a substantial figure of wealth in British sport. In 2011, when Beckham was representing LA Galaxy, Whelan was officially acknowledged as the richest Briton still active in football, surpassing the former England skipper. Following the conclusion of his playing days with Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra, he amassed his fortune by launching his own retail chain, utilising his market trading background.

According to the Sunday Times Sport Rich List, Whelan’s net worth reached a staggering £190million, which was significantly greater than Beckham’s estimated £135m at that point.

Whelan’s wealth is currently valued at upwards of £162m, testament to his commercial prowess considering he’s no longer as deeply involved in the sporting arena as previously.

Beckham, by contrast, has surged ahead, possessing a substantial fortune estimated to be between £500m and £700m.

Nevertheless, former JJB Sports proprietor Whelan might have been approaching billionaire status had he made a comparatively small investment during the 1980s.

After discussions with senior figures at Old Trafford, reports surfaced that Whelan had struck a preliminary agreement with United official Martin Edwards to purchase the club during that era.

Reflecting on the missed opportunity, the businessman remarked: “I made the wrong decision in regards to Manchester United, because it is interesting to see what has happened since.

“The purchase of Manchester United was all sorted with Martin Edwards and was going to be sealed within 28 days.”

Nevertheless, when Whelan informed his wife about the potential transaction, her worries concerning his achievements with JJB Sports shaped his choice.

He recalled: “Later I went home and said to my wife Patricia that I’d pulled off a good deal to buy Manchester United. £11.5m was a lot of money then. She said: ‘What?’

“I was in JJB and expanding so she said: ‘Do you think all the people in London, Liverpool, Birmingham will come and shop at your stores when you own Manchester United – the greatest enemy the teams they support have?’.”

Whelan added: “I said: ‘You might have a point!’ So instead I went back to Martin Edwards and Manchester United and said the deal is done but told him that if he floated Manchester United on the stock market, he would get a lot more than £11.5m.”

Currently, the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe jointly own United after Ratcliffe purchased a 25 per cent stake in 2024, with his INEOS organisation taking charge of footballing matters.

Nevertheless, had Whelan taken the plunge during the 1980s and acquired the club for just £11.5m, the fortunes of the Red Devils may have been vastly altered.

Instead, he bought Wigan for about £1m in 1995 and secured the team’s promotion to the Premier League in 2005. He parted with the Latics in 2018 for £22m, concluding his 23-year stewardship.

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