Saddlers blog: Festive cheer

As the season of goodwill is well and truly upon us, I feel I should join in and be a bit charitable to those lovely people who run my favourite football club … no, seriously… writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.

A couple of months back the Saddlers issued an invitation to all service men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to attend a home game and be honoured by club and fans alike. This has struck a chord with a lot of people and I feel is more than just a gesture to gain a bit of good PR. 

Additionally there is the scheme, co-ordinated by the club, to send donations of food and clothing to the troops for Christmas. Hopefully there has been a decent response to this too.

I assume the Festive Fun Day has been arranged to try to offset the traditional drop in attendance in the last pre-Christmas game and this is no bad thing. As well as pre-match activities there are family match tickets available at discounted rates.

As a season ticket holder, I’ll always support any efforts to get people into the stadium, more people in the ground equals a better chance of getting a decent atmosphere and there’s always the possibility that one newcomer will want to come back for more.

Along the same lines, the offers of half season tickets, tickets for ten game blocks and reduced prices for January home games are all decent ideas and should be applauded.

Equally worthy is the Toys for Tots appeal, where fans can bring toys to be distributed to disadvantaged children next week. Schemes like this enhance the role of the club as part of the wider community, something which is sometimes overlooked in the constant quest for new commercial opportunities.

It was also good to see the pictures of first team players visiting the Manor Hospital earlier in the week. This may well have happened in recent years but not been as well publicised. Good on you boys and well played Walsall Football Club. 

Merry Xmas Everybody!

I’d still love to see the back of Paul Taylor though.