THE words promotion and police are not likely to generate rational debate around Wigan at the moment.

The former is not a subject up for discussion while the latter is guaranteed to send Dave Whelan's blood pressure rising faster than his bank balance.

Ten years after the JJB Sports tycoon seized control of the ailing Latics and pledged to deliver them to the Premiership promised land, Wigan find themselves nine wins away from fulfilling the dream.

But just as they get within touching distance of the prize, the boys in blue have barred Wigan's path.

Today, Greater Manchester Police were applying for the removal of JJB Stadium's safety certificate.

Unless some way can be found to solve a simmering dispute over policing costs, when manager Paul Jewell and his team turn up to play West Ham on April 2, they are likely to find the doors locked and bolted.

"We are so close to doing something monumental for this town, so why are we being singled out," said Whelan, who has run up a bill of £300,000 for policing costs outside the stadium he insists the club are not liable for.

"Our policing bill for the Leeds game was £43,995. Preston's was £7,700. How can that be right? Who is behind it?"

Whelan clearly believes there is some governmental involvement and has not even received a reply from local MP and Labour Party chairman Ian McCartney to a letter outlining his grievances.

Efforts to have the matter settled in court have also been rebuffed so, as it presently stands, next weekend's clash with Millwall will be Wigan's last before their stadium is closed.

It is an incredible situation and took much of the gloss away from a well-deserved win over Ipswich, which re-established Wigan at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.

Nathan Ellington struck home the decisive penalty after picking himself up after being fouled by Fabian Wilnis in the 42nd-minute.