Marsh calls for end to rift at Walsall
Thursday 22nd April 2010, 11:55AM BST.
Walsall legend Chris Marsh has pleaded with the club’s board and supporters to resolve their differences which threaten to rip the club apart.
Further demonstrations are expected for Saturday’s visit of Hartlepool, with fans voicing their fury at chairman Jeff Bonser and chief executive Roy Whalley.
The board followed through on their threat to ban protesters in the last home game with Tranmere angering fans, who want a change of regime, even more.
But former defender Marsh, who made 479 appearances for the Saddlers, believes the parties must now repair the rifts between them.
He said: “The club and the supporters should get together and talk. Walsall should listen to the fans and vice versa. It’s about trying to find some common ground.
“The side have done brilliantly but fans can argue they need more players and money. If you sit down and get some common ground the club can put their points to them and the fans can do the same.
“We all know if attendances go up they can bring in some more players and that can only improve the team.
“I’m not saying it’s not going to be like abroad, where the fans are actually on the board, but if you can get the ground up to 5,000 plus they can work together to achieve things in the future.”
Gates have dropped to an average of 4,020 – the second lowest in League One – but the Saddlers are still 12th in the table.
Marsh reckons boss Chris Hutchings and assistant Martin O’Connor – both former Walsall team-mates of his – have done an excellent job.
The 40-year-old said: “I can see why the fans are feeling the way they are but Walsall have done really well this season, considering there’s no depth in the squad.
“I know they have got some decent results, but there are a lot of good teams in the division.
“I bet there are 23 teams in the division with a bigger budget than them and they’ve over achieved for the size of squad they’ve got.”
UK Sport
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I am with you marshy
We can not go on like this
Whatever grudge some supporters have with the board falling attendances and bad feeling all round is not helping the club or promoting it as a going concern for any future investors
We must get behind our club at the next two home games and look forward to the new season
Its good to see the club and supporters trust have already started to work together by promoting the MK Dons game as the Back to the Saddlers game
lets get behind it I hate seeing our club so divisive
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Marshy, attendances were averaging 5,500 when we sold Scott Dann and Danny Fox, which lead to the loss of Richard Money. What was the excuse then for cashing in and spending nothing?
Fans have been patient, with the players, the managers and above all the regime at the club. Jeff Bonser hasn’t spoken to the media since December and never allows himself to be questioned openly about his plans for the future.
We, the fans, would love to find common ground with Jeff Bonser, but common ground is NOT going to be achieved from Jeff Bonser releasing a vague statement riddled with anomolies and inaccuracies to the Birmingham Mail every 6 months.
It’s a great sentiment Chris, but until the club are willing to answer the very difficult questions on the subject of the freehold then common ground is impossible.
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Over to you Jeff, wise words Chrissy.
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It’s not common ground we need, it’s to own our home ground! Come on Jeff, make that grand (a day) gesture and let the club have the freehold.
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The supporters have given enough. all they want is to see Jeff giving ANYTHING. preferably a resignation.
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