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Darrell Clarke welcomes new Walsall era

Darrell Clarke has welcomed Leigh Pomlett’s takeover at Walsall – with the manager believing it has improved the atmosphere around the club.

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In a shock announcement yesterday, Jeff Bonser’s 28-year reign as the club’s owner and chairman came to an end.

Pomlett has been on Walsall’s board since 2010 and takes control after becoming the club’s largest shareholder – with 76 per cent of the shares.

Clarke fell out with the owners at his previous club Bristol Rovers before his departure.

And he revealed at a packed fan focus meeting last night that he had known a potential takeover at Walsall had been on the cards for while.

“I’ve been aware of the takeover for a while,” the boss said when asked if he was told before he accepted the manager’s job.

“I got too involved with politics at Bristol Rovers. It was two years of broken promises that led to a fallout

“I didn’t want to get involved in politics here. I wanted to know what the budget was and that I could build a team Walsall fans could be proud of.

“I think the takeover is great news for the football club. It has lifted a bit of doom and gloom.

“But for me, it’s about giving you fans a team to be proud of.”

Pomlett, who has supported Walsall since he was five, is due to meet the media for the first time as owner at a press conference this afternoon.

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