Express & Star

Walsall have lost a good man in O'Donnell

Published
Last updated

It speaks volumes that even among a group as like-able as Walsall's current squad, Richard O'Donnell stood out.

more

From the moment the Yorkshireman arrived at the Banks's Stadium, it was clear he had all the core values Saddlers boss Dean Smith cherishes in a player.

Whether he was dealing with team-mates, supporters or even the media, O'Donnell was always polite, charming and incredibly accommodating.

One incident in particular sticks out, writes Matthew Maher.

Having put in the kind of performance typical of the past season and being the obvious choice for a post-match interview, O'Donnell took pity on a reporter battling to make deadline and agreed to postpone the chat for 15 minutes.

This was despite the game being in Yeovil and the goalkeeper facing the prospect of a 200-mile journey by coach and then car, before he would be back in his Sheffield home.

[related_posts title="More on Richard O'Donnell"]

Ultimately ,it's those long distances which were the biggest influence on his decision to end his time with the Saddlers. Certainly, it will have been no easy call.

When he joined the club as a trialist in July 2013, his very future in the game was uncertain.

Yet he leaves two years later with a deserved reputation as one the best goalkeepers in League One.

This is not a case of O'Donnell forgetting how good Walsall have been for him, or not appreciating how much he owes the club.

Football is a fickle game and when opportunities arrive, it is best to take them.

Players in League One simply do not enjoy the same financial security as their Premier League counterparts.

O'Donnell insists his decision to move on is not about money. Yet frankly, if it was, few would blame him. At times, like this, family must come first.

[comments_cta header="What do you think?" text="Who should replace Richard O'Donnell at Walsall?" button="Log in and start commenting"]

Still, it will be extremely tough to leave behind his friends at the Banks's and in particular goalkeeping coach and mentor Neil Cutler.

O'Donnell was effectively Cutler's signing, picked out from a list of possible keepers for trial before impressing sufficiently enough to earn a deal.

The two men, who first met seven years ago when studying for coaching badges, are very close.

They could be found each morning at the club's training ground, playing seemingly never-ending games of table tennis.

It is Cutler who O'Donnell credits more than anyone for his transformation from solid if uncertain shot-stopper to the commanding keeper who leaves the club now.

And it's back to you Neil - the Saddlers' goalkeeping guru will be tasked with helping to find a new No 1.

And it will be Cutler who is tasked with finding a suitable replacement.

For supporters, there is an unavoidable sense of deja vu. O'Donnell's departure came almost a year to the day of his great friend and former Saddlers skipper Andy Butler.

Ironically, the two men could soon be reunited, should O'Donnell decide to accept an offer from Butler's current club Doncaster Rovers, who together with Bradford City lead the race for his signature.

Without O'Donnell's sterling performances, which saw him deservedly crowned player of the season, the Saddlers might have felt the loss of Butler more strongly.

Replacing him will not be easy but the club cannot claim lack of notice - the likelihood O'Donnell would not return was indicated to the club by the player's agent several weeks ago.

For Dean Smith, this will be the third straight summer he has lost his best player but the manager accepts such events are always likely, given the club's standing and the constraints of his budget.

In the circumstances, they could have done little more to keep their No 1.

Smith will feel, with Cutler at his side, he stands a good chance of finding someone to fill his considerable boots.

[interruptor]