When football can make a difference

Bill Shankly's overused quote about football, life and death has sadly come to the fore once again this week. Where it was once seen as some kind of pearl of wisdom, it doesn't actually stand up to closer examination, writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.

Football isn't more important than life and death. Hillsborough proved that, so did the Bradford fire, so did tragic death of Matt Gadsby five years ago and of David Preece, and of Ian Handysides before that. And there are countless other examples, public and private, that show that football is not all encompassing, however much of your life you dedicate to it.

It's fair to say that the news of Gary Speed's death, and the circumstances surrounding it, was an absolute shocker, a real stop the clocks moment. Me and my youngest were on our way to his team's match on Sunday and I actually had to stop the car when it came on the radio and the two of us just looked at each other in disbelief.

But in the darkest of situations, quite often there are uplifting moments and this week has proved to be no different. The sheer quantity of heartfelt tributes from the footballing community, from those closest to Gary and from those who only knew him indirectly or casually, was enormous and genuine.

Leeds United fans (who I've mocked in the past) paid a fantastic tribute to him in their win at Forest on Tuesday. I'm sure many others will do so when they get the chance this weekend too.

The football world is a sadder place without Gary, the world is a sadder place without him.

Many Walsall fans this week will also have been saddened to hear of the death of lifelong fan Les Stead. Les was a lifelong Saddler who also gave up his time to work for the club selling 50/50 tickets and as the Car Park attendant. Like most people, I knew of Les as the 'bloke in the hut'- a familiar friendly face whenever you drove onto the Bescot car park.

Many fans have paid tribute to Les online this week. He will be missed.

But whilst we should always recognise that football isn't the be all and end all of everything, it can still play a part and make a difference to people. Whatever life throws at you, there is still a game at the end of the week or, as we all know, there's always next year.

Football is where you meet up with mates, it's where you take your kids, it enables people you haven't heard off for ages to get in touch if they hear a shock result or a surprise bit of news.

And, as has been shown with Gary and Les this week, in dark times we do come together like a family. That's why there is something uniquely moving about a football ground during a minute's silence.

So in these horrendous economic times, as the public schoolboys tighten their grip on our wallets, as the Leveson Inquiry reveals further scandalous erosions of our democracy on an almost daily basis and as we brace ourselves for the bland, soul-destroying seasonal offerings from the x-factor, we still have our game.

It's not life or death but it does mean something. So it is for this reason that I make no apologies for the following shameless piece of plugging …

The Walsall Football Supporters Trust this week announced that they will be holding a Christmas Toy Collection to help less fortunate local children. It will take place at the Banks's Stadium on Saturday 10^th December before the Charlton game.

It is hoped that the scheme will be a continuation of the one run by local radio stations in previous years and has the backing of the Football Club.

The Trust Board have donated a sum of money to start the ball rolling and items will be purchased on behalf of the Trust, a reflection of the Trust's continuing support for our local community.

The toys will be donated to the Children's Ward at Walsall Manor Hospital to ensure that local children who are not able to be at home for Christmas are not forgotten.

For those who do not have any toys to donate there will be a collection bucket at the collection point so extra toys can be purchased with any money collected.

Walsall fans have always proved to be most generous and I'm sure the Toy Appeal will be well supported by Saddlers fans.

There is further information on the Trust Website at walsallfctrust.org.uk or Board Member Margaret Vardy, who is co-ordinating the collection, can be contacted at mady1k@aol.com and you can get in touch withTrust Secretary Steve Davies at walsall1888@aol.com.

Let's show we can make a difference.