Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez has paid tribute to chairman Dave Whelan.

Whelan had been talking about Wigan's aims earlier this week at the North West Football Awards, where he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award.

The 75-year-old took control of the Latics - now in their eighth successive Premier League season - in 1995 when they were a fourth-tier outfit, and Martinez has no doubt that Whelan's award is well-deserved.

"I think what he has done is an incredible football journey," Martinez said.

"All his life he has been involved in football, but he has always made a difference wherever he has been involved.

"It was a well-deserved award and moment, and I know there are still many good chapters to come from him.

"I don't think there is anyone in the north-west who deserves it as much as he does and we were all very proud of him."