Dann move nets Saddlers cash

The League One club will net at least £250,000 from Dann's move from Coventry to Blues, after securing a sell-on clause in the defender's 2008 move to the Ricoh Arena.

The 22-year-old rejected Wolves in favour of St Andrew's on Friday, but Walsall still benefitted and chief executive Roy Whalley believes boss Hutchings could now profit.

He said: "We've always made a point of helping the manager as much as we can, that's always been the case and the money would help us to help him a little more.

"There is always a budget, but how he spends it is up to him and what he spends on one thing he can't on another."

The money will be paid through the Football League, with the club waiting on the details of the deal, but any cash added to Hutchings' kitty will make the Saddlers more competitive in League One.

Whalley said: "We've not seen the financial agreement and all the reports are undisclosed. Maybe the payments are over 12-months or a longer period. We haven't seen the details but we await them with interest.

"There are some big clubs coming down to League One, even though some are under financial pressure, but we feel our budget is competitive. We will be competitive."

Dann emerged through the ranks at the Saddlers, making 69 appearances and scoring eight times, until he switched to the Sky Blues in a deal which has earned the Saddlers up to £1million.

Whalley reckons Walsall have been vindicated by allowing Dann to leave the Banks's Stadium when he did.

The chief executive said: "He was sold for more than Coventry City paid us, but the point remains he would not have achieved that type of value if he'd stayed in League One.

"We gave him a chance here and he's given himself a chance at Premier League level and we're very pleased for him.

"The club protected its investment and the club deserves credit once again, for showing we can give a player the chance to launch his career."