Dean Smith hails Walsall FC ticket initiative

Boss Dean Smith today hailed Walsall's trailblazing board but insisted his team must do the business to attract their fans.

The Saddlers are offering 'free' season tickets to Under-18s – if they attend all 23 matches next term – which the club believe is a Football League first.

Under-18s who sign up by April 2 will be offered a season ticket for £46 and then be given £2 'cashback' at each League game, meaning 'free' football if they attend all 23 matches.

The club also froze season ticket prices for the third successive year as they look to boost crowds which have dipped to a league average of just 3,799.

And Smith, who takes his League One strugglers to Colchester on Saturday, praised the innovative scheme.

He said: "It's a great incentive and if I wasn't at the club I would be looking to get my boy involved. It's a chance for people to come and watch League football and kids can strive to get there themselves.

"A lot of other league clubs will sit up and take notice and we can start attracting the next generation of fans.

"The club have done fantastically well and the response we have had from the fans has been fantastic."

But – with the Saddlers bidding to beat the drop – Smith knows the team must succeed to keep the fans at the Banks's Stadium.

He said: "Without a shadow of a doubt, we've always said successful football will drag supporters in and the offers are there for them. I am sure they will be taking it up as long as we keep doing well."

Supporters' group Unity also paid tribute to the club and urged fans to help plug the offer.

A statement said: "The board deserve the praise and adulation.

"If you have contacts within local schools, social groups (such as scouts) or local football clubs please contact Unity or Walsall FC."