This could mean more than you think

Walsall blogger Mark Jones believes a largely uneventful season for the Saddlers has thrown up a lot than most Saddlers fans would think.

This Saturday sees the last game of another 'treading water' season for Walsall Football Club, but the events of the last few weeks have made things pretty interesting in my book.

Some will point to the possibility of our highest finish at this level since the Ray Graydon glory years, but I would say it's virtually impossible to argue that we've progressed from Richard Money's last season in charge.

We went unbeaten for 17 league games that year, spent three months in the top six, were still in with a shout of the play-offs with a few weeks to go and a last-minute goal on the last day dropped us from a reasonable ninth spot to a disappointing twelfth.

Not that I'm complaining about mid-table mediocrity. Given the meagre resources made available, the ever-dwindling crowds and an appalling inability from those at 'the top' to try and sort any of the club's problems out, ninth to 13th is a reasonable finish.

There are many uncertainties about next season, the extent of which may partly be revealed when the retained list comes out, but this summer could and should be a big opportunity for change. If only someone in authority could recognise it.

The question that still has to be asked is where could the club be if we could encourage some or all of the missing 1,500 to 2,000 back every matchday?

Add in the thorny issue of how much more financial muscle we would have if it wasn't for the grand-a-day rent and it's not difficult to see where the dissatisfaction lies.

The 'Back to the Saddlers' idea is all about demonstrating to the club what things could be like, by getting some old faces back in the ground and showing up the no history boys at the same time.

Those not wearing an old shirt on Saturday may be decked out in the yellow of the Unity group who held their first - and well attended - public meeting in the fine surroundings of Bloxwich's Queens Head public house last Wednesday.

A fledgling group has pledged to be a voice for all supporters, has some innovative ideas for the long-term future of the club and has dedicated and committed people behind it. They certainly have my full support.

Alongside a renewed and expanding Trust - who will again be recruiting on the walkway by the allotments before the final fixture - there is a real sense that once again fans are getting mobilised and ready for any eventuality.

This can only be a good thing. The Saddlers may be mighty once more!

Now we already know that the names Rhys Weston, Sam Parkin and goalkeeper Clayton Ince will not have squad numbers allocated to them for 2010/11 and are on their way out of the club.

To be honest, Sam was always likely to be on his way as it never really worked out for him. But I genuinely wish him all the best for the future as he tries to rebuild his career.

Rhys was excellent in his early days and always struck me as the kind of calibre of player who we need if we're to be successful at our level. Injuries and the ridiculous fall out with ex-boss Jimmu Mullen hampered his second season but I thought he performed reasonably well this year.

Darryl Westlake should grow into a fine replacement in time ,but I feel we will miss Weston's experience. I hope Rhys gets the move closer to his family that he craves, good luck to you mate!

It was a shock to hear of big Clayton's retirement, as I still think he has plenty to offer but I fully understand and respect his decision to call it a day.

'Incey' has proved to be a fantastic keeper over the last four years. Confident, brave and strong, he was an inspiration to our back line from the day he arrived - the record number of clean sheets in our title-winning season is testament to that.

Sure there were the occasional cock-ups but that was part of the appeal. Nonetheless, the 37-year-old finishes with a record of nine conceded in his last ten appearances, which I don't think is too bad at all.

But, with Anthony Gerrard's departure to Cardiff last year, we've now lost the two inspirations for our best songs of the last few years. That's one thing which will definitely have to be sorted this summer.

Good luck to you too Clayton, we'll miss you!

One final farewell goes to the outgoing MP for Walsall South, Bruce George.

A big supporter of the Saddlers, only the most narrow-minded, pettiest, public-schoolboy loving, right-winger would be churlish enough to fail to recognise the work Bruce did for the town. He'll be another tough act to follow.

The season 2009/10 won't be remembered for a great deal of scintillating football, but maybe in time it will come to be viewed as a turning point for the fans.

See you on Saturday. Come on you Saddlers!