Saddlers supporting Cannock vicar swaps sermons for stadium
A Cannock vicar is swapping Sunday services for stadiums to follow Walsall to Wembley.
Former Walsall footballer, Reverend Peter Hart, has arranged cover for two of his church services, which clash with the Johnstone's Paint final on Sunday.
The fan will travel with 10 church goers to the stadium to watch the team take on Bristol City.
The vicar played for Walsall for 10 years, missing out on his own chance to star at Wembley when the Saddlers lost against Liverpool in 1983.
He is now chaplain for the club.
Now vicar at St. Luke's Church, Cannock, Reverend Hart said: "A coleague of mine will take on my two Sunday services. I do have responsibilities here and I did consider not going but the wardens have insisted that I do and I am really looking forward to it."
Mr Hart, has been the reverend at St Luke's for 12 years, after joining the church in 2003
Originally from South Yorkshire, the former professional footballer first played for Huddersfield Town in 1972-1980, when he joined Walsall FC until 1990.
Aged 33, he decided to leave his sporting career behind and went to theological college in Nottingham to become an ordained Church of England minister.
Now, 57, the vicar of Cannock and Huntington Parish will be cheering on the Saddlers from the sideline.
