Wigan were a solid member of the Northern League division three during the 1970’s and they reached the top three of the division on eight occasions. The club won their second non league title by the end of the 1977-78 season under the guidance of their manager Ian McNeill. On the 2nd of June 1978, Wigan attempted for the 35th time to win the election to enter the league. When all the clubs castes their votes, both Wigan and Southport had 26 votes each. Southport were a side that finished that season off in second bottom position of the forth division. The two teams went into a second ballot, with Wigan winning it by 29 votes to 20.
Their first season in the football league was a successful one, they were outstanding in the forth division, finishing the campaign off in sixth position and now had established themselves as a formidable league club team.
Colin Methvan signed for Wigan in the summer of 1979 from Scottish football club, East Fife. The 1979-80 season was another great one for the club, they came close to stealing an automatic promotion in to the third division as they finished the season off in sixth position in a tight race towards the top. They also enjoyed a fine run in the FA Cup that saw the club reach the forth round of the cup competition. Peter Houghton was prolific in front of goal and he was a player who later on went on to become the clubs all time leading goal scorer.