Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Fans hail Walsall after training day
Wednesday 3rd August 2011, 9:00AM BST.
Fans hailed Walsall after the Saddlers opened the doors at the Banks’s Stadium for a pre-season training day.
The club held the session for around 200 fans ahead of the League One curtain-raiser against Leyton Orient on Saturday.
Manager Dean Smith put his team – including new-boys Adam Chambers, Ryan Jarvis and Anton Peterlin – through their paces and signed autographs for supporters.
It was the second open session after the Saddlers held a successful event in April, during last term’s ‘Great Escape.’
Andy Banner, a Wolves fan who brought his sons Adam, Ashley and Kieran along, praised the Saddlers for the session.
The DJ from Norton Canes said: “It’s fantastic they’re getting the kids in. My sons support Villa, Chelsea and Arsenal but it’s nice to come and look at what Walsall do.
“The bigger clubs couldn’t survive without the smaller clubs feeding the players through.
“Walsall make a tremendous effort for the youngsters. We’ll certainly be coming along to watch them this season.”
Lifelong fan Stuart Bailey, 39, from Bilbrook, was with his son Alex, 11, and believes the Saddlers should continue the sessions.
He said: “It’s a good idea. There are new faces in the team it’s great to watch them train.
“The club do a lot for the fans, like the £10 family ticket, and they should definitely do it again.”
Alex added: “It’s good to see the players, Andy Butler’s my favourite and I think they’ll get into the top six next season.”
And Richard Poole, a season ticket holder, doesn’t expect the team to struggle under Smith.
He said: “This is my first time watching training. We want a positive season, rather than the one we had last year.
“We’ve got a good manager now and it’s his team.”
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