Fans' Survey: 'We're behind you!' Fans back Walsall FC's direction

Walsall fans have given their unequivocal support to how their club is being run in the Express & Star's end of season survey.

Hundreds of Saddlers voted either by post or on the newspaper's website to give their opinions on a variety of issues affecting their beloved team.

On the field, Walsall enjoyed a hugely successful season in League One as they finished third in the table having amassed 84 points.

Jon Whitney's side may have missed out on promotion through the play-offs, but a staggering 98 per cent of supporters said they were pleased with the style of football the Saddlers played.

Walsall have built their philosophy on developing young talent with the club either bringing players through their own youth ranks or improving youngsters who have been let go by bigger teams.

And while that means the club rarely pays transfer fees, two thirds of fans believe that is the correct model for success with only seven per cent insisting the Saddlers need to spend more money to compete. Fans also expressed their delight at seeing chairman Jeff Bonser finally end his self-imposed match-day exile from the Banks's Stadium.

The 70-year-old is an active figure around the club but deliberately stayed away from home matches for a period of five years due to the criticism he received from a section of supporters.

But 92 per cent of the the 639 who voted were pleased to see him make a return on the opening day of the season as the Saddlers battled their way to a 1-1 draw with Oldham.

The chairman's decision to sack former manager Sean O'Driscoll was also met with substantial support from fans.

O'Driscoll was the number one choice to replace Dean Smith when the former Walsall defender opted to join Championship outfit Brentford in November.

But the former Doncaster Rovers and Nottingham Forest boss struggled to adapt to life at the Banks's and was sacked after just 16 games.

That decision, though, was met with almost unanimous support.

A staggering 98 per cent of people surveyed said it was right to send O'Driscoll on his way with Whitney then stepping into the void and securing the Saddlers' play-off spot.

One area the club may consider changes in the future is with ticket prices.

While 68 per cent of supporters said they were happy with what they are paying, 53 per cent felt the club would attract more season ticket holders if prices were lowered.

Just over half of those polled also feel the atmosphere at the Banks's Stadium needs improving with 31 per cent of people believing fan zones and activities outside the stadium and entertainment would improve the match day experience.

But while Walsall fans were understandably disappointed to miss out on promotion to the Championship after losing in the play-offs to Barnsley, the majority accept their resources, history and fan base means they are currently viewed as a third tier club in English football.

A total of 58 per cent of people said the Saddlers should realistically be competing in League One, 37 per cent feel they belong in the Championship with only four per cent believing they have the structure of a League Two club.