Club Overview

Walsall Football Club are an English football club based in Walsall, West Midlands, currently playing in League One.

Walsall have a consistent and passionate hardcore support of about 5000 fans. Famous fans include pop mogul Pete Waterman, a Central Tonight newsreader (sadly not Sarah-Jane), Olympic medallist Nick Gillingham, and Walsall South MP Bruce George.

Walsall moved into their Bescot Stadium in 1990, having previously played at nearby Fellows Park. Their opening game was a friendly fixture against rivals Aston Villa. The Villa winning 4–0. The ground is now known as Banks's Stadium for sponsorship purposes.

Club History

Walsall were formed in 1888 when Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. amalgamated. They were first admitted to the Football League in 1892, as founder members of the new Second Division.

Walsall's finest hour came in January 1933 when they beat the great Arsenal side of that era in the FA Cup. In more recent years the club came within minutes of reaching Wembley Stadium, losing 4–2 on aggregate to the mighty Liverpool in 1984. This run involved another famous victory over Arsenal, this time at Highbury, and culminated with a spirited 2–2 draw at Anfield, before they lost 2–0 in the second leg.

The true Golden Age of the Club lies in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Under the management of Bill Moore, the club rocketed from the lower reaches of the bottom of the league ladder to the mid-table of the Second Division in the space of three seasons. Club legends such as Bill 'Chopper' Guttridge, Tony Richards and Colin Taylor were intrinsically important to the success of the side.

The club has always had a rich history of producing players who go on to play at the top level. Allan Clarke went on to win the League Championship under Don Revie at Leeds United after beginning life at Fellows Park. Bert Williams and Phil Parkes both became England Goalkeepers in the years after they progressed from their roots in Walsall. David Kelly had a long career at the top level after leaving Walsall in 1988, representing the Republic of Ireland at the very highest level of international football. More recently, Michael Ricketts represented England after blossoming at Bolton Wanderers. In recent years, Matty Fryatt and Ishmel Demontagnac have both represented England age-groups.

In the 1980s were a period of considerable activity for Walsall FC. In addition to cup runs in the League Cup and the FA Cup, they were bought by millionaire entrepreneur and race-horse owner Terry Ramsden in 1986. With his money came high profile signings and the attention of the national media. Walsall earned promotion through the old Division Three play-offs in 1988, but the sale of the inspirational David Kelly was followed by a disastrous two years where two managers came and went and Ramsden's business empire collapsed.

The old Walsall logoAfter being saved from extinction by local businessman Barrie Blower in 1989, the club moved to the Bescot Stadium in 1990. At the time it was a state-of-the-art arena, and was only the second new Football League ground since the 1950s. A Morrison's supermarket was built on the site of the old Fellows Park ground.

The arrival at Bescot Stadium saw some stability brought back to the club after two successive relegations. Ex-Wolves star Kenny Hibbitt managed the club for four years, setting the groundwork for a golden era for the club that would follow soon after his dismissal in September 1994.

New manager Chris Nicholl led the club to promotion in his first season, building the nucleus of a strong and under-rated team. Two seasons of stability followed, before Nicholl left, citing family reasons and the fact that he felt the club had progressed as far as he could take it on the limited funds available to a lower-league football club.

Ex-Ajax and Danish International Jan Sorensen took the helm after Nicholl's resignation in the summer of 1997. Whilst 'The Saddlers' finished a dismal 19th in Division Two that season, the club reached the 4th Round of the Coca-Cola League Cup (beating Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United along the way), as well as rampaging through the early rounds of the FA Cup. Lincoln United were dispatched in the first round, whilst league newcomers Macclesfield Town (who until then had been unbeaten at home in all competitions) were destroyed 7–0. Peterborough United, who themselves have a rich cup pedigree, were beaten on a bitterly cold Tuesday evening to set up an interesting tie away at Premiership Champions, Manchester United. Walsall lost 5–1.

Sorensen's tenure was marked by the signing of two of the finest players ever to pull on a Walsall shirt. Ivory Coast born striker Roger Boli started the season in superb form, becoming a marked man for much of the season which dampened his predatory instincts. However, Boli's fellow Frenchman, Jean Francois 'Jeff' Peron was a shining light in an otherwise poor league. Despite being 32 when arriving in England, Bescot was home to scouts from the Premiership and Division One as Peron's reputation grew. Though he only scored one goal in his solitary season for The Saddlers, he is best remembered for his mesmerising ability with the ball at his feet and the exceptional performance which tore Macclesfield Town to pieces in the aforementioned FA Cup tie.

1998-99 began with another new manager and 10 new signings. Ex-Aston Villa winger Ray Graydon arrived and transformed the club from a popular, yet poorly organised, club into a disciplined and effective force in Division Two. Walsall were inspired by former Oldham Athletic and Everton left-back Neil Pointon, the talismanic striker Andy Rammell, new signing Darren Wrack, and the ever-dependable Jimmy Walker in between the sticks - achieving the massive feat of finishing as runner-up to big-spending Fulham in the final table. The achievement was made even more remarkable as The Saddlers finished above big-spending Manchester City, Wigan Athletic and Staffordshire rivals Stoke City.

Promotion was followed by a heartbreaking last-day relegation from Division One. During the season Walsall had clung on to their First Division status, defeating local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion along the way. Relegation at Ipswich Town on the final day was a bitter-blow to a group of players who played beyond their ability and to their absolute limits all season.

However, The Saddlers returned to the second-tier of English Football at the first attempt, defeating Reading 3–2, after extra time, in a thrilling Play-off final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. After a promising start to the season, the form began to slip away over the winter period. However, the signings of Fitzroy Simpson and Don Goodman added much needed steel to the side and spured them on to reach the promised land of Division One once again.

Despite all the success he had delivered, it soon became clear that Ray Graydon had reached the end of the road at the club. In a controversial decision that brought with it the wrath of fans and the national media, owner Jeff Bonser dismissed Graydon after an abject performance against local rivals, West Bromwich Albion. His replacement, ex-Wolves manager Colin Lee polarised supporters, but ultimately proved to be a success. The style of football improved, and Lee's signings improved the team dramatically. Relegation was avoided thanks to vital away wins against Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United, and the new spirit in the squad was typified by a vital last-gasp equaliser away at fellow strugglers Grimsby Town (who also beat the drop).

The next two seasons were a mixed bag. Lee improved the club immeasurably off the field, allowing it to fulfill part of the huge potential it has. On the pitch some rather dull performances were dotted in between some inspiring football. Again, relegation was avoided in the 2002–03 season because of the signing of key players, such as ex-Tottenham midfielder Vinny Samways who returned from a six-year spell in Spain to join the cause.

Samways slotted into a side which many believe was the most talented Walsall team since the clubs golden era under Bill Moore in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

2003–04 proved to be one of the most remarkable seasons in the club's history. Up until the New Year Walsall were flying. West Bromwich Albion and Nottingham Forest were both destroyed 4–1, as new-signing, the ex-England and Arsenal star, Paul Merson seemed to be repeating some of the magic that had led Portsmouth to promotion the previous season. Following a Boxing Day victory at Cardiff City, the club sat just four points off a place in the play-offs. It wasn't to last though.

2004 saw a spectacular slump in form. The New Year began with a disappointing FA Cup Third Round defeat away at Millwall, which saw Jimmy Walker dismissed for throwing a punch at Dennis Wise. Walker's replacement Andy Petterson slotted in for a home debut against fellow-strugglers Coventry City. The Saddlers capitulated, losing 6–1. The following weeks saw costly defeats, and it took until March 13 for the club to win their first league game of 2004. The cause was not helped by a recurrence in Paul Merson's well publicised addiction to alcohol and gambling, and though he travelled to a clinic in the United States with the best will of the club and its fans, it is indubitable that his absence took away the talismanic influence of one of the most influential players in recent footballing history.

Colin Lee was sacked after a shambolic display at Gillingham - though the reason given for his dismissal was his decision to speak to Plymouth Argyle about their vacant manger's position. Lee had been disillusioned by club owner Jeff Bonser, who had blocked the funds needed for the signing of players who proceeded to be a success at other clubs in the League.

Lee was replaced on a temporary basis by Merson, who was assisted by Simon Osborn. Despite the rallying cries of the ex-England international Merson, and the backing of the town, Walsall won only one more game that season, and were relegated, agonisingly by a single goal. On the final day of the season, Rotherham United were visitors at the Bescot Stadium. If Walsall won and Stoke City beat Gillingham in their home tie, Walsall would have stayed up. The Saddlers beat Rotherham United 3–2, and many fans invaded the pitch upon the final whistle, believing that they had stayed up, but as news of a 0–0 draw at Stoke City filtered into the ground, the worst was confirmed. Walsall's relegation left many Saddlers' fans asking themselves just what had gone wrong.

Merson was immediately appointed as full-time manager of the club in May 2004. Almost as soon as he arrived, rumours started to circulate that he would soon be sacked, polarising Walsall fans who were either behind him or against him. However, despite the question mark which hung over his tactical astuteness, he brought on and developed a number of young players who look set to have a big future in the game. Among those introduced to regular first team football by Merson, the brightest light is Matty Fryatt, who was the Top Scorer at the 2005 European Under-19 Championship where he represented England. His strike rate at Walsall was better than the majority of Strikers in both the Championship and League One. Paul Merson vowed not to stand in his way should a 'big club' come in for him, and it came as no surprise when in January 2006 Fryatt left the club, signing for Leicester City in a deal worth £350,000.

Merson's reign as Walsall manager came to an end on the 6 February 2006, sacked by Chief Executive Roy Whalley after refusing to resign. Two days earlier Walsall had lost 5-0 for the third time in Merson's reign, providing an interesting symmetry to his spell in charge - his first game was a 5-0 defeat away at Norwich City, whilst his final game resulted in a 5 goal reverse at Brentford.

Long-serving Youth Team manager Mick Halsall was put in Caretaker control of the Football Club, but ruled himself out of any long term ambitions for the job. Former Walsall player David Kelly was the bookies' favourite for the job, but ex-manager Chris Nicholl put his name into the running hours after news broke of Merson's dismissal.

On Friday, 17 February, whilst speaking to a local news broadcast, Jeff Bonser seemed to suggest that he would be keen to see Merson return to Bescot Stadium as a player, stating "a fit Paul Merson is an asset to any side". However, Merson would seem to be keener on following personal business interests at this time, taking a break from football until the summer. The practicalities of a former manager returning of a player have been tested before, most notably when Andy Hessenthaler resigned as manager of Gillingham in 2004, but remained as a player. However, Merson holds a much higher profile in football than Hessenthaler, and some speculated that it would have undermined caretaker manager Mick Halsall, and any future manager that would be appointed.

Despite all the spectulation, there was general shock when, on 22 February 2006, former Birmingham City captain Kevan Broadhurst was appointed as Paul Merson's replacement. Broadhurst had been occasionally linked to the job during the vacancy, but was not considered by bookmakers nor fans to have a serious chance for the job. Broadhurst had a brief loan spell at Fellows Park in Walsall's 1979–80 promotion season. His initial contract was until May 2006 - with the brief to secure Walsall's League One position. Mick Halsall, a former team mate of Broadhurst's, remained with the first team with a view to assisting Broadhurst until the end of the season, when he would return to his original post as Head of Youth.

Walsall were relegated on 22 April 2006 after losing 3–1 to Huddersfield Town. Rotherham United's 1–1 draw with Scunthorpe United saw an unassailable gap of seven points formed. Broadhurst was sacked the next day. Player coach Mark Kinsella was put in charge for the final two matches of the season, with Halsall reverting to duties with the reserve and youth teams. On May 3, the team appointed their fifth manager of the season in former Scunthorpe manager Richard Money.

The Start of Richard Money's reign started with a bang and a fresh start to Walsall’s fight back to the Coca-Cola Championship. The signing of Martin Butler and Michael Dobson along with other signings gave the club potency to get promoted out of League Two. After seven games at home and winning all of them without conceding is a record for Walsall fans to be proud of. Walsall were promoted into League One on 14 April after beating Notts County 2–1 away from home. On the final day of the season, Walsall drew with Swindon Town, and with Hartlepool United losing their match, Walsall were awarded the League Two title.

On Tuesday 24 April 2007 Walsall announced a 'New Change' with Major alterations, A new Kit Sponsor revealing that Banks's would no longer be Walsall Football Clubs official Sponsor for the 2007–08 season, and that Easy Fit conservatories would be the new kit sponsor, a new kit manufacturer which is to be Mann Brothers previously Nike, New Away Kit Colours which are blue/yellow and the biggest change, the club Badge which has been reformed back to the original Round design and Club Swift which has been designed to look more modern. This marks a new change and an exciting time for Walsall Football Club as they get ready for League One Football next season.

On 22 April 2008, Richard Money resigned as Walsall manager after the club's playoff hopes (and chance of a second successive promotion) were ended. The club finished 12th in the final table, and in May 2008, Jimmy Mullen was appointed as the new Walsall manager. [1]

Club Rivalries

Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City, Port Vale, Shrewsbury Town, Stoke City.

Stars of the Current Squad

Anthony Gerrard, Mark Bradley

Club Legends

Gilbert Alsop, James Walker, Jorge Leitao, Andy Rammell

Player Recognition & Awards

Players of the Season Season - Player

1994-95 - Kevin Wilson 1995-96 - Adrian Viveash 1996-97 - Adrian Viveash 1997-98 - Jeff Peron 1998-99 - James Walker 1999-00 - Gino Padula 2000-01 - Jorge Leitão 2001-02 - James Walker 2002-03 - Ian Roper 2003-04 - Paul Ritchie 2004-05 - Matty Fryatt 2005-06 - Anthony Gerrard 2006-07 - Dean Keates 2007-08 - Anthony Gerrard

Team Honours

Old Division Four Champions : 1959-60 Old Division Three Runners-Up : 1960-61 Old Division Four Runners-Up: 1979–80 Play-off Winners (Old Division Three) : 1987–88 Football League Division Three Runners-up : 1994-95 Football League Division Two Runners-up : 1998-99 Play-off Winners (League Division Two): 2000-2001 League Two Champions: 2006-2007

Important Links

www.saddlers.co.uk www.upthesaddlers.com/wp

References