Whalley warning of perils ahead
Chief executive Roy Whalley admits Walsall will have to run an even tighter ship amid the continuing financial troubles in football.
The Saddlers chief executive realises life in League One will be tougher next season and reckons clubs will have to be prudent during pre-season in preparation for 2009/10.
He said: "At the moment we are all operating on sponsorships we conducted last summer when the world seemed a happier place.
"It is not like that now and it is going to be hard work. Where companies are making staff redundant they can't really be seen to be spending a lot on sponsorship of football.
"It will make it a more difficult scenario."
Whalley believes the Saddlers have an advantage over their rivals because they were able to sign a two-year sponsorship deal with the NHS last month, which will see Walsall Hospice on the front of the shirts.
He even expects some clubs to fail to find a sponsor.
He said: "To be able to announce a two-year shirt and stand sponsorship deal, is great really and a relief because I suspect a lot of clubs will be struggling to maintain their current level of sponsorship, or even get a sponsor at all."
But Whalley insists the club's off-field packages, including match day sponsorship, will help the Saddlers.
He said: "That may give us an advantage over some of the bigger local clubs who may be looking to charge much more.
"I feel we give very good value for money."
