Weather can't dampen Saddlers' spirits
Autographs were signed, pictures were taken and young fans met their heroes as Walsall held an opening training day with a difference.
With heavy rain making the Banks's pitch waterlogged, club staff quickly transformed into tour guides to give supporters unprecedented, behind-the-scenes access.
As well as visiting the changing rooms, fans also got to speak to players and watch them train in the gym ahead of Saturday's game at Sheffield United – with club director Dan Mole delighted how the day unfolded.
"I have to admit when I woke up I thought 'what are we going to do' because we had organised the open day but the groundsman had said the pitch wasn't playable," he said.
"We had to improvise but it was great to see the fans getting up close and personal with the players. In many ways, it actually turned into a better event. It was organised chaos but it was great to see so many people enjoying themselves.
"Days like that help bring everyone together and it's enabled fans to have a glimpse of that inner sanctum.
"When you work in football, sometimes you forget how nice it is to see inside the dressing room or where Jon Whitney sits during a game.
"But the whole event managed to bring the fans and club even closer together even though there is not a football club in the land that has got as good a relationship with its supporters as we have."
As well as seeing many happy supporters, Mole also confirmed the players had a great time meeting the fans who roar them on every week.
"At 10am we were thinking 'shall we cancel the event'," he added.
"But the fans wanted to meet the players and the players wanted to meet the fans.
"There doesn't need to be this massive barrier so we opened the doors and said 'I hope you like us'.
"The players loved every minute and that is because they are really good people as well as being really good players.
"That is something that has been the philosophy of the football club whenever we have recruited players.
"Not one part of the day was scripted or forced, the players and the coaches genuinely enjoyed meeting everyone.
"They are all a credit to themselves, credit to their families and a credit to the football club."
