Marsh calls for end to rift at Walsall

Walsall legend Chris Marsh has pleaded with the club's board and supporters to resolve their differences which threaten to rip the club apart.

Further demonstrations are expected for Saturday's visit of Hartlepool, with fans voicing their fury at chairman Jeff Bonser and chief executive Roy Whalley.

The board followed through on their threat to ban protesters in the last home game with Tranmere angering fans, who want a change of regime, even more.

But former defender Marsh, who made 479 appearances for the Saddlers, believes the parties must now repair the rifts between them.

He said: "The club and the supporters should get together and talk. Walsall should listen to the fans and vice versa. It's about trying to find some common ground.

"The side have done brilliantly but fans can argue they need more players and money. If you sit down and get some common ground the club can put their points to them and the fans can do the same.

"We all know if attendances go up they can bring in some more players and that can only improve the team.

"I'm not saying it's not going to be like abroad, where the fans are actually on the board, but if you can get the ground up to 5,000 plus they can work together to achieve things in the future."

Gates have dropped to an average of 4,020 – the second lowest in League One – but the Saddlers are still 12th in the table.

Marsh reckons boss Chris Hutchings and assistant Martin O'Connor – both former Walsall team-mates of his – have done an excellent job.

The 40-year-old said: "I can see why the fans are feeling the way they are but Walsall have done really well this season, considering there's no depth in the squad.

"I know they have got some decent results, but there are a lot of good teams in the division.

"I bet there are 23 teams in the division with a bigger budget than them and they've over achieved for the size of squad they've got."