Arise 'Sir Ray' as Walsall legends return

Heroes from the 1998/99 campaign enjoyed a double celebration at the Banks’s Stadium at the weekend to mark the 20th anniversary of their stunning promotion to English football’s second tier.

Despite being favourites for relegation that year, the Saddlers toppled the likes of Man City, Stoke and Bournemouth to automatically win a place in the old Division One.

Supporters voted the season the best in the club’s history in a survey produced by the Football League.

On Friday night, legendary boss Ray Graydon was joined by players including Darren Wrack and Bjarni Lárusson – as well as current manager Dean Keates – at a meet and greet with supporters at the Banks’s Stadium.

Then on Saturday, they were joined by the likes of Jimmy Walker, Adi Viveash and Chris Marsh – with the legends walking out at half-time during Walsall’s League One clash with Sunderland.

“We have had a wonderful few days,” said Graydon affectionately known as ‘Sir Ray’ by Walsall supporterfans. “The Friday was one of the best nights I have ever had.We had a number of the lads who won promotion that year. And the supporters that came were an unbelievable crowd. The room was absolutelypacked and everyone made some contact with myself and the players.

“To top it, my daughter – who now lives in Holland – flew in from Birmingham with my grandson and her partner. They had a fantastic time andreally enjoyed it.

“My son was also up with my daughter-in-law and their two childrenwho are football daft. They got on the stage and had a fantastic time. Itreally, really was one of the best groups of supporters I have ever been with.

“The fans here have always been fantasticthey embarrass me at times. ButI dearly love every minute I get to spend with them. I nowhope Deano (Keates) gets the luck he needs and I hopehe can build a team to compete at the top of the league. It will be fantastic if he does.”

Keates also enjoyed the evening and catching up with Graydon and his former team-mates. He joined up with the group again following Walsall’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland.

“It was great to see so many faces – Bjarni came all the way over from Iceland and Jason Brissett came up from London,” he said. “It was a great night on the Friday and I got to see them again after the Sunderland game.”

“We gave a performance I was just gutted we couldn’t get a result for all the ex-players that came back.

“But it was great to see them and have a catch up with the gaffer as well, Ray.”