Walsall blog: Justice done

Friday 11th January 2008, 8:19AM GMT.

walsallcrest.jpgVery occasionally in football you get the satisfaction of seeing justice done and last Tuesday night was a great example of that, writes Walsall blogger Mark Jones.

Yeovil (allegedly) were the ones who wanted the game played and their reward was a low crowd and zero points as the Mighty Saddlers moved into the top five (top five!), creating a five point gap between ourselves and the boys from Zomerzet in the process.

Listening to the coverage from Yeovil reminded me of Plymouth in ’99 when their stewards wouldn’t move us off the open terrace even though it was monsoon season and then having to aquaplane back up the M5 in dripping wet clothes stopping only to scare the late night customers at every Service Station. Happy days.

I didn’t go on Tuesday – yes I know, part timer and all that- but I was there in sympathy (I stood under a cold shower fully-clothed and stayed out ‘til 3 in the morning to get that ‘special’ midweek away match feeling).

Fair play to each and every one of the brothers and sisters who did travel though.

As for the diehards who chose to stay on the terrace braving the elements, Clayton’s reverse goal kicks and the certainty of being ridiculed by television sports reporters – you deserve our total and utter respect.

Some recognition and reward for this dedication from the football club itself would be good too, wouldn’t it Roy?

On the pitch the boys did the business … again.

Attitude, spirit, commitment and a desire to win all seem to be there in abundance.

The other thing that impresses me is that the young players are playing without fear at the moment and that seems to be rubbing off on everyone else. 

Richard Money deserves huge credit for creating this situation, but I also think we should be acknowledging the tremendous work Mick Halsall and Bill Jones have done over almost a decade working within the youth set-up.

The return of Eric McManus, highly regarded by anyone you talk to with connections at the club, three years back has undoubtedly helped in bringing through some quality youngsters too.

To me the fact that we had seven players under 21 the other night also has a long term effect in that it’s got to be a good selling point when we’re competing for the next generation of young talent.

The way forward for a club like Walsall should be to develop a production line of our own (like the one at that club up the M6 but without the bad loser of a manager). 

It’s something I’d love to see us achieve and, you never know, it could mean we might end up one day never having to visit grounds where you’re guaranteed a soaking for your troubles.

Never stop chasing the dream.

Walsall fans, what do you think? Have your say below


  1. 1
    Booster

    Yes fair play to Halsall, Jones, McManus and Money but don’t forget the impact that Jimmy Mullen has had in such a short space of time.

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    Charlie Cooper

    5th in the league, a team full of great young players and yet you haven’t slagged off Colin Lee once. Get a grip Jona!

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    Jason

    I think recognition of the fans at Yeovil already came from the club. Jeff Bonser thanked them publicly on the official site.

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    somersetsaddler

    damn right the fans who got soaked and paid £17 for the privalige, should get a mention from the club, about 10 mins into the 2nd half and chants of getting wet from the yeovil fans the stewards acted properly and moved us under cover, yet in this day and age why does a club in the 3rd tier of english football still have uncovered terraces.

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    Pete Stock

    Publically thanking supporters should not involve having to log on. Not everyone accesses the internet.

    Anyhoo, won’t happen, some of them aren’t supporters as far as the club is concerned.

    Report abuse



Free e-Supplements

Business Awards

Read the full story here Read the full story here

Full coverage of awards celebrating the region's best businesses.

Lifestyle

Interactive Dining Out map Interactive Dining Out map

Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.

LIVE traffic updates

Road, rail and airport - latest Road, rail and airport - latest

Our new, live traffic and travel updates service - check before you set out.

OUR NEW APP

Get the new E&S app Get the new E&S app

Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.