Midland football misery: Why the future looks bright for Walsall fans
You only sing when you're winning – and Saddlers fans are pretty hoarse this season, writes Walsall fan Diane Davies. As we were last season when after a wait of some 127 years we finally made it to Wembley!
My son and I became season ticket holders at Banks's nine years ago when he was just seven. He was so full of optimism and hope – that didn't last long!
We endured the heartache of the Hutchings years which finally ended when he left us some nine points adrift at the very bottom of the table and facing certain relegation. Then salvation as we were blessed with Dean Smith who led the Great Escape and avoided the drop.
See also: Why this is the most miserable football season in memory
He was our guiding light for almost five years and persevered with the quality, skilful football we have today that took us to Wembley, challenged Chelsea earlier this season and has kept us firmly at the top of League One.
For the first time in nine years my boy can dare to dream of promotion and Championship football, the play-offs even and maybe another Wembley trip. He takes undignified pleasure in taunting his Villa fan friends about how they will be opponents next season.
But this season has not been without its sadness as our Ginger Mourinho had his head turned by the bright lights of Brentford, abandoning us on our Cup run and promotion push.
Still, with Sean O'Driscoll at the helm and such talent as 'Super Tom' Bradshaw, Rico Henry and Romaine Sawyers in our ranks the future looks bright.
And there may just be a hint of smug satisfaction that we went to Brentford – and won!
