Walsall squad of the century: The defenders

A number of top stars have graced the Banks’s Stadium pitch, but who would make the ultimate Saddlers squad from those who have played for the club over the past two decades?

With the country in lockdown – and fans looking for their football fix – we asked Walsall supporters to put together a dream team of players who have played from the club from January 1, 2000, onwards.

In keeping with a World Cup format, there were just two rules. Firstly, they had to name three goalkeepers, and secondly the squad had to have balance and cover in case of injury or suspension. In total, 44 fans took the time to put together their squads – with dozens of players making the list for each position. Throughout this week, the Express & Star will reveal the results, continuing with the defenders.

Defenders: Jason Demetriou, Danny Fox, Scott Dann, Andy Butler, Ian Roper, Paul Ritchie, Rico Henry, Zigor Aranalde

The fact that 30 different defenders were named by supporters in this vote, shows the vast array of talent that Walsall have had in their backline over the years.

However, despite fans having to name a balanced squad, the spread of votes across several different names has created a slight imbalance in the final squad.

Firstly, Jason Demetriou gets in as the first choice right-back with 26 fans selecting him. The current Southend defender only spent one year with Walsall, in the 2015/16 season, but he made 57 appearances in all competitions in a season where the club lost in the League One play-offs.

Several other right-backs were named by supporters, but none had enough votes to get into the squad – meaning three left-backs have been named.

Fortunately, one of them was Danny Fox and with his versatility in being able to play in midfield, he will act as the back-up right-back for this squad.

The 33-year-old had three impressive years with the Saddlers from 2005 to 2008 before moving on to play for several clubs including Celtic, Burnley and Nottingham Forest. He received 24 votes.

In the centre-back position, fans named four very capable names.

The pick of the bunch was Scott Dann with 42 votes – only two fans didn’t name him. Coming through the Walsall academy he produced excellent displays in his four years at the club before moving on in 2008. He went on to establish a successful career with Birmingham and Crystal Palace – playing regular Premier League football.

Fan-favourite Andy Butler also makes the grade, with 37 votes. The former skipper is remembered fondly for scoring the only goal in a historic away win at Wolves in 2013.

The other centre-back slots are filled by Ian Roper, who had 35 votes, and Paul Ritchie who had 18.

Roper was with Walsall from 1995 to 2008, offering the best years of his career to the club, while Ritchie spent a year at the Banks’s Stadium in the 2003/04 season, during the twilight of his career.

The left-back position was a close-fought race throughout the voting process, but Rico Henry nabs the starting XI position with 34 votes – only one vote ahead of Zigor Aranalde on 33, who makes the squad as his understudy.

Another player who came through the academy, Henry was with the club from 2014 to 2016 and was a huge part of the successful 2015/16 squad. He then moved to Brentford, where he still plays.

Aranalde joined Walsall in 2000 and in his first season he was part of the squad that earned promotion to Division One through the play-offs under Ray Graydon. He stayed with the club until 2005 and is one of a handful of foreign players to impress for the Saddlers.

Several other players earned support from fans but narrowly missed out on the squad. Jason McCarthy was one vote off with 17, while Adi Viveash (11), Chris Marsh (10), Darren Bazeley (10), Tony Barras (9) and Anthony Gerrard (7) were all fancied by some.

Nicky Devlin and Andy Taylor both got five votes each, Ian Brightwell and James O’Connor had four and Gino Padula, Ben Purkiss and Manny Smith all had three votes.

Current Walsall defender Mat Sadler picked up two votes, alongside Neil Emblen and James Chambers.

Joe Edwards, Steve Staunton, Chris Baird, Chris Westwood, Richard Taundry and Rhys Weston all had one vote each.