Manager's tribute to Roy Whalley

Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has paid tribute to Roy Whalley after he stepped down as chief executive.

The 63-year-old will now focus on his work as commercial director and has been replaced by Stefan Gamble.

Whalley has been with the club for 24 years and Hutchings believes his influence cannot be overlooked.

He said: "Roy has been Mr Walsall. He's done a fantastic job over the years. He was here when I was a player, so I've known him a long time and we can only take our hat off to him for the work he's done.

"He's still going to be involved and do bits on the corporate side but he needs a rest from the day-to-day. We forget he comes into the club at 8.30am and when he does an evening event he doesn't get home until midnight - then he's back in the same time the next day.

"It does takes its toll and we thank him for his service because he's done a fantastic job."

Hutchings believes Whalley has excelled despite taking criticism from some fans.

Whalley has served as club secretary, commercial director and chief executive and Hutchings reckons he doesn't get the praise he deserves.

He said: "Roy does a lot of work people don't see but that goes for a lot of people at the football club. It's not all glossy and you have to do jobs you don't particularly like doing, but it's part and parcel of what you do. He has done a fantastic job.

"You can't please everyone all the time, you are going to ruffle some feathers but make someone else happy."

The Walsall boss, who put his players through their paces at pre-season training today, is now looking forward to working with new CEO Gamble, who has been the club's financial director since 2007.

Hutchings has developed a close relationship with Gamble since becoming manager in January 2009 and expects that to continue.

He said: "I work very closely with Stef anyway, we're a close-knit staff here and that's paramount.

We need to know what's going on in each others minds and deal with it."