Walsall fans vent their anger

Worried Walsall fans today opened their hearts to reveal their pain at the Saddlers' decline.

They have taken the extraordinary step of producing a book of their grievances and sending it to club directors.

'Walsall 'Til I Don't' – in reference to the 'Walsall 'Til I Die' effort Walsall Supporters' Trust and the club published in 2008 – has been printed to raise their concerns.

The 30-page publication cost £100 to make and is made up of posts from upthesaddlers.com and also individual efforts from fans.

Weather permitting, a hardy band will go to fellow strugglers Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day to support the club despite their feelings.

But many have had enough with attendances falling and protests against chairman Jeff Bonser, the board and manager Chris Hutchings.

New supporters' group Unity has also sprung up but was not involved in the book's production.

The Saddlers are five points from safety in League One but supporters believe the problems run far deeper after the club's gradual decline over the last few years.

Tim Wilkes, a lifelong fan who now lives in New Zealand, wrote: "What used to be fun has become a chore. What used to excite now disappoints. What's happened to my club?

"I want to feel the passion but from here it seems the club has no soul, no heart and if Walsall are just going through the motions, I'll be moving on."

One supporter who used the pseudonym harrymiddleton – in reference to the former player from the 1960s – also revealed his anger.

He recalled the 1984 Milk Cup run to the semi final and said he had pumped money into the club by booking their suites for conferences – but insisted he will stop supporting if the club doesn't change.

He wrote: "I don't believe there are many Saddlers supporters who have put much more of their life into the club than me. My wife and kids all follow the Saddlers and they can see the effect recent events are having on me.

"I have finally had enough, no more. Although I still love the club as much as my family I cannot contribute any more while the owner, his lackeys and the management team are in place. Walsall RIP."

Attendances have fallen from 5,619 in 2007-08 to just 3,761 this season and Bonser hasn't spoken en mass to the media in almost two years.

Many have used the pseudonyms they have on upthesadders.com and Waldo summed up his feelings by explaining: "I made a choice not to renew our season tickets because I do not wish to commit to a club that clearly does not value its loyal supporters enough to invest in the football side."

NoBallGames labelled the club "faceless, lifeless and emotionless" while Stourport Saddler claimed the situation was "totally embarrassing".

The club declined to comment when given the opportunity by the Express & Star.