Walsall F.C.

Walsall Football Club are an English football club that competes in the 2006/07 season in Football League Two.They were relegated on 22 April 2006 from League One.

As the smallest of the Black Country clubs in the Football League, Walsall rarely attract consistent support of over 6,000 fans. However, famous fans include Pop Mogul Pete Waterman, former Olympic Medallist Nick Gillingham, and Walsall South MP Bruce George

Walsall moved into their current Bescot Stadium in 1990, having previously played at nearby Fellows Park.

History

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

While Walsall have won no domestic trophies, they are renowned as giant-killers in cup competitions. Their 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 Old Division Division Two inside 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 brought 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 2 managers came and went and Ramsden's business empire collapsed.

After being saved from extinction by local businessman Barrie Blower in 1989, the club moved to 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 Sorenson took the helm after Nicholl's resignation in the summer of 1997. Whilst 'The Saddlers' finished a dismal 19th in the Second Division that season, the club reached the 4th Round of the Coca-Cola League Cup (beating Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United along the way), whilst they rampaged through the early rounds of the FA Cup. Lincoln United were dispatched in the first round, whilst Macclesfield Town (hitherto unbeaten at home that season) 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.

Sorenson's tenure was marked by the signing of two of the finest players ever to pull on a Walsall shirt. Ivorian, Roger Boli started the season like a house-on-fire, 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, the Bescot was home to scouts from the Premiership and the First Division 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 the Third Tier of English Football. 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 Second Division. 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 the First Division. 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 the First Division 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 wins against the likes of Nottingham Forest, and the new spirit in the squad was typified by a vital last-gasp equaliser away at fellow strugglers Grimsby Town.

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 number of years playing 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. Following a Boxing Day victory at Cardiff City, the club sat just 4 points off a place in the play-offs. It wasn't to last though.

2004 saw the wheels come off spectacularly. 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 Alcoholism and Gambling Addiction, 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 charismatic 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 and 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 only 1 goal. In was most certainly a case of "what if", and left many Saddlers' fans stratching their heads at just what had gone wrong.

Merson was immediately appointed as full-time manager of the club in May 2004. Since his appointment he seemingly came close to the sack on a number of occasions, 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 which could earn Walsall over £1 million.

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 FC.

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 The 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.

A Timeline of Walsall's History

1877 - Walsall Town founded
1879 - Walsall Swifts founded
1888 - Walsall Town and Walsall Swifts almalgamate, forming the Walsall Town Swifts. They played their first game against the mighty Aston Villa, drawing the game.
1888 - Walsall Town Swifts not chosen amongst the 12 founder members of The Football League.
1889 - Town Swift's first England international, Albert Aldridge, is capped twice.
1892 - Founder Members of the Second Division.
1895 - Fail to be re-elected to the Football League.
1896 - Defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Birmingham Senior Cup final, and League and FA Cup Winners Aston Villa in the Birmingham Charity Cup final.
1896 - Move into the new Hillary Street Ground, which will later become known as Fellow's Park - Walsall's home, on and off, until 1990.
1921 - Founder members of the Third Division North
1928 - Play in front of 74,600 fans at Villa Park in the FA Cup Fourth Round. It remains the highest attendance that Walsall have ever played in front of.
1933, January 14 - Walsall defeat the mighty League Champions Arsenal 2-0 in, perhaps, the greatest FA Cup upset of all time.
1958 - Founder Members of the Fourth Division.
1959/60 - Division Four Champions - scoring 102 goals.
1960/61 - Division Three Runners-up scoring 98 goals. Promoted back to the second tier of English football for the first time since the late 1890s.
1962/63 - Relegated back to Division Three on the final day of the season.
1972 - Club rescued from financial oblivion by the unpopular Ken Wheldon.
1975 - Defeat Manchester United and Newcastle United in the FA Cup on the way to the Fifth Round.
1978 - Defeat Leicester City in the FA Cup on the way to the Fifth Round.
1979 - Sign Alan Buckley back from Birmingham City for a club record £175,000.
1983/84 - Reach the League Cup semi-final - becoming on the second team that season to earn a draw against Liverpool at Anfield, with the final score being 2-2. The second-leg is lost 2-0, and Walsall are robbed of a first appearance in a major cup final. Liverpool go on to win the League, League Cup and European Cup. Walsall go on to narrowly miss promotion.
1986 - Plans are announced to move Walsall to Birmingham, to ground share with Birmingham City. The town rallies behind Barrie Blower, who leads a campaign to save Walsall Football Club. Multi-Millionaire Terry Ramsden buys the club.
1986/87 - Under new manager Tommy Coakley, Walsall narrowly miss the playoffs. However, the FA Cup run is the real higlight of the season. First Division Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City are defeated, and Watford, managed by future England manager Graham Taylor, are taken to two replays - including a vintage FA Cup classic...a 4-4 draw in the first replay at Vicarage Road.
1987/88 - Promoted to Division Two after a three-game play-off final against Bristol City is won 4-1.
1988/89 - Relegated from Division Two. Terry Ramsden's business empire collapses alongside the Japanese Stock Exchange. Walsall are minutes from being taken over by Japanese Administrators and folded, but survive, again through the actions of Barrie Blower and local business men.
1989/90 - Relegated to Division Four.
1990 - The Bescot Stadium is opened.
1992 - Jeff Bonser buys the club, which again was minutes away from entering receivership. Players were told to find new clubs, and staff were told to clear their desks before Bonser's last minute save.
1992/93 - Division Four is rebranded Division Three.
September 1994 - Chris Nicholl is appointed manager.
1994/95 - Leeds United are taken to a replay in the FA Cup Third Round. Promotion is assured to the Second Division.
1997 - Nicholl resigns, as is replaced by former Danish international, Jan Sorenson.
1997-98 - Sorenson's cavalier attitude to his football is reflected in stunning victories of First Division sides Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United in the League Cup. Macclesfield Town, hitherto unbeaten at home that season, are defeated 7-0 in the FA Cup Second Round at Moss Rose. Walsall lose 5-1 at Old Trafford in the Fourth Round.
1998-99 - Ray Graydon appointed new manager. Walsall finish runners-up in Division Two, ahead of the likes of Manchester City, Preston and Wigan, and are promoted to the First Division.
1999-00 - Relegated from Division One of the final day of the season.
2000-01 - Return to Division One at the first attempt. Reading are defeated 3-2 in a memorable play-off final.
2001-02 - Graydon is sacked in January, being replaced by Colin Lee. Premiership side Charlton are defeated in the FA Cup in Lee's first game, and the Great Escape in completed with one game to spare.
2003-04 - An opening day hammering of local rivals West Bromwich Albion, and the signing of Paul Merson raises expectations. However, Lee is sacked in April, and relegation comes on the final day of the season.
2005-06 - Kevan Broadhurst replaces a sacked Merson, but Walsall are relegated to League Two after a 3-1 defeat to Huddersfield. Broadhurst is himself sacked afterwards, and replaced by Richard Money.

Walsall all time records

Attendance at The Bescot Stadium : 11049 vs. Rotherham United. Division 1, 9 May 2004
League Victory : 10 - 0 vs Darwen. Division Two, 4 March 1899
League Defeat : 0 - 12 vs Birmingham City. Division Two, 17 December 1892
Cup Victory : 7 - 0 vs Macclesfield Town (away). FA Cup 2nd Round, 6 December 1997
Most Capped Player : Mick Kearns (15), Republic of Ireland
League appearances : Colin Harrison (467) 1964/1982
League Goals : 184. Colin Taylor 1958/1973 (3 separate spells); and Tony Richards 1954/1963
League Goals in One Season : Gilbert Alsop (40). Division Three (North), 1933/34 and 1934/35
Transfer Fee Received : £600,000 for David Kelly from West Ham United, July 1988.
Transfer Fee Paid : £175,000 for Alan Buckley from Birmingham City, June1979

Honours

Old Division Four Champions : 1959/60
Old Division Three Runners-Up : 1960/61
Division Four Promotion : 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

Current squad

As of June 7 , 2006:

2006/2007 transfers

In:

Tony Bedeau Signed From Torquay United F.C.
Martin Butler Signed From Rotherham United F.C.
Michael Dobson Signed From Brentford F.C.
Clayton Ince Signed From Coventry City F.C.

Out:

Andy OakesReleased
Dean Coleman Released
Simon Osborn Released
Michael Standing Released
Daryl Taylor Signed For A.F.C. Bournemouth
Taiwo Atieno Released

Famous and notable players

Gilbert Alsop - The first 'superstar' of Walsall Football Club. Played for the club during the 1920s and 1930s, scoring over one hundred goals, including the first goal in the biggest FA Cup upset of all time, which saw Walsall defeat the mighty Arsenal 2-0.
Colin Taylor - A barrel chested left-winger who was a popular and vital member of the Saddler's first team during their golden days of the 1950s and 1960s. He made over 400 appearances for the club during three separate spells at the club. Passed away in the summer of 2005, and the club have promised a permanent memorial to one of the most enduring figures in their history.
Tony Richards - Taylor's partner in crime, led the Saddler's line for a decade, scoring a club record haul of league goals, which still stands today. Still lives locally in retirement, and was voted Walsall's player of the Millennium in 1999.
Alan Buckley - Former manager, and one of the clubs most prolific strikers. He masterminded the Milk Cup Run of 1984, and his teams are remembered fondly as perhaps the finest examples of an attacking team that Walsall have ever produced.
Allan Clarke - Ex-England striker. Played for clubs such as Leeds United, Leicester City and Fulham after leaving Fellows Park.
David Kelly - Young Irishman who was signed from local non-league club Alvechurch in 1984, affectionaly known as 'Ned'. He forged a fine career at the club, coming of age in their play-off victory of 1988 - during which he scored a hat-trick in the Play-Off Final replay. In the Summer of 1988, Kelly signed for West Ham United for £600,000 - still a record for a player sold by Walsall FC. He went on to represent the likes of Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tranmere Rovers before retirement. He has since forged a reputation as a promising coach, gained experience alongside characters such as Neil Warnock at Sheffield United. He currently assists Billy Davies at Preston North End, and has been linked to the Walsall manager's job on a number of occasions.
Jorge Leitao - Leitao signed for Walsall in the summer of 2000 for £150,000, the clubs highest fee for some 21 years. He gave remarkable servince to the Saddlers, giving his all in every game - soon becoming a hero of the fans. He starred in the Club's promotion season of 2000-01, finishing as on of the top goalscorers in the division that season. Though he never sustained a prolific goal scoring record, he did score over 70 goals for Walsall before departing to his home nation of Portugal in January 2006. His final home goal proved to be an emotional occasion for both player and fans. Leitao was treated to a 20 minute rendition of his name, reducing him to tears whilst the game continued. Following the final whistle, Leitao was given a standing ovation as he enjoyed an emotionally charged lap of honour, which again proved overwhelming to himself and a number of his fans.
Jimmy Walker - Number 1 in the list of Walsall Appearances by a Goalkeeper, and number 1 at the club for the majority of his decade at the club. Won 3 promotions in 10 years with Walsall. Left in July 2004 to sign for West Ham United, where has since added a further promotion and an FA Cup Runners-up medal.

Recent managers

Walsall have had 31 full-time Post-War managers. The most recent managerial teams are:

3 May 2006 - Present Richard Money
24 April 2006 - 3 May 2006 Mark Kinsella (Caretaker)
22 February 2006 - 24 April 2006 Kevan Broadhurst
February 2006 Mick Halsall (Caretaker)
May 2004 - February 2006 Paul Merson
April 2004 - May 2004 Paul Merson and Simon Osborn (Caretakers)
January 2002 - April 2004 Colin Lee
June 1998 -January 2002 Ray Graydon
June 1997 - May 1998 Jan Sorenson
September 1994 - June 1997 Chris Nicholl
June 1990 - September 1994 Kenny Hibbitt

External links

Walsall F.C. | English football clubs | Sport in the West Midlands

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Walsall F.C.