THE BLUES
This previewing is a mugs game after he Crewe all change. It used to be easy typing in 'Tilly to name unchanged side' every week. Now we have to think! Personally I see a return for Captain Kev and a tighter midfield with Black dropping to the subs bench. Hooper deserves another go after his second half effort but he does loose possession a touch easily, who knows maybe a return for the battering ram known as the Prince, then again you could argue he loses possession just as much! Leon could be in for a hard afternoon!
It's in defence that's it's hard to second guess T&B. With a forward line under 6 foot maybe we could keep Richards on the subs bench as the cultured left foot of Hammell may be the better bet? Whatever side starts the game I believe a draw will be a good result against fast improving opponents, a win and the omens will look very good for the other match going on in Paris later on in the evening. It should be better than the result from the plastic pitch of Russia! Why, only in England, can our joy never continue through a whole week?! Then again there is Scotland, the Orient of international football! Talking of who, and to be fair(ish), a real comedy moment from the boys from Zone 3.
Friction in the Elland Road directors' suite after Leyton Orient were deprived a famous win. Adam Boyd's late strike appeared to have crossed the line but was not given by referee Nigel Miller and the match ended 1-1. The decision, coupled with midfielder Sean Thornton's red card, clearly riled Orient. But Leeds chairman Ken Bates had little sympathy, pointing out his club had more reason to feel aggrieved because of the 15 points they were "owed" by rivals after the penalty imposed at the start of the season. "Well, it is now only 13 from us," replied Orient chief executive Matthew Porter. (Be honest, that's quite good.)
THE OPPOSITION
After a dodgy start Walsall have moved up to eleventh in the table only three points off the play off zone, so a hard match is expected on Saturday for the Blues. We will once again come up against Tommy Mooney, a member of the Fat Fry 'I got a million from the Stan sale and bought an entire squad' club, who does have a knack of scoring against us. (To be fair he has scored against everyone at some stage!) They definitely seem to have tightened up at the back.
Tranmere O Walsall 0 (from the Liverpool Echo)
LEAGUE One leaders Tranmere were frustrated by the smothering tactics of Walsall in a goalless stalemate at Prenton Park last night. Tranmere showed determination and perseverance but not enough guile to find a way through the Saddlers' 4-5-1 formation, in spite of several near misses. A third successive home draw was a disappointment for a larger than usual Friday night audience, who saw Tranmere fail to score for the first time in 11 League games this season.
Walsall, managed by former Liverpool defender Richard Money, played with impressive discipline and twice forced Tranmere goalkeeper John Achterberg into sharp saves. Carl Tremarco had an early surprise for Walsall's defenders with a long throw from the left that reached the heart of the visitors' six yard box. Goalkeeper Clayton Ince dropped it and centre back Anthony Gerrard had to clear off the line. Tremarco kept his place on the left side of Tranmere's midfield as manager Ronnie Moore reverted to a 4-4-2 formation. Calvin Zola, returning in attack after missing five games with a hamstring injury, sent a deflected sixth minute shot spinning straight into the arms of Ince. Tremarco demonstrated his eagerness to push forward with a smart pass inside that opened up an opportunity for Zola to curl an ambitious 25 yard shot just wide of the right hand post on 16 minutes. In spite of the bright start, Tranmere had to work hard to find openings in the deep cover of Walsall's five-man midfield. Much of the first half action was compressed into the congested middle third of the pitch and Tranmere struggled to bring their wingers into the game. The home side had their first narrow escape of the night on 41 minutes when Shane Sherriff sliced a dangerous, curling free kick from Daniel Fox narrowly over his own crossbar. When Zola worked his way behind the Saddlers' defence on 41 minutes he swept a sharp cross into the area. But striking partner Gareth Taylor was unable to make decisive contact with his header.
A fine first time pass from Taylor gave Zola the chance to gallop into the left hand corner of the Walsall penalty area two minutes after the re-start and slide a low angled shot just wide of the right hand post. Taylor came to Tranmere's rescue at the other end soon afterwards when he blocked a goal-bound shot from Scott Dann - although he knew very little about it. Tranmere were true to manager Moore's instructions to keep their patience as they attempted to break down the layers of defensive cover in front of the Walsall goal. They should have gone ahead on 61 minutes when determined work by Zola released Taylor through the inside right channel. The striker played his low cross into the path of Shuker in the goalmouth, but the little winger was unable to put direction on his shot and put the ball wide of goal. Soon afterwards, more good work by Taylor set up a shooting opportunity on the right of the penalty area for Shuker, whose fierce effort was well parried by Ince. Achterburg had to make a save of equal merit on 69 minutes to keep out a fierce shot from Walsall substitute Troy Deeney, who found space deep inside the Rovers' penalty area. It was the signal for the home side to introduce substitutes Mike Jones, for Shuker, and Antony Kay, for midfielder Steve Jennings, on 71 minutes. However, Walsall quickly demonstrated their growing menace on the counter-attack when Achterberg had to tip over a rising shot from striker Tommy Mooney. Sherriff directed a powerful header from Paul McLaren's 87th minute free kick into the midriff of Ince as Tranmere's hopes of a breakthrough faded away.
Ince, Weston, Gerrard, Dann, Fox, Sonko (McDermott 59), Bradley, Dobson, Mattis (Deeney 22), Demontagnac, Mooney.
Subs Not Used: Bossu, Roper, Hall. Booked: Bradley, Dobson, Dann.
Mooney on the money at Walsall (from BBC Sport)
Mooney made Walsall the ninth club of his career when he moved to the Bescot Stadium in the summer. Immediately installed as the club's senior professional, Mooney was then made captain by manager Richard Money last month in an effort to reverse a poor start to the season. And following a winning start over Hartlepool back in his native north-east, Mooney has since overseen two further victories and a draw at table-topping Tranmere to lift Walsall into the top half of League One.
"I am proud to be captain," he told BBC Sport. "I suppose I am the oldest and most experienced in the squad but my role has not really changed that much. Perhaps on the pitch I have more of a role now but around the ground for the last couple of years I have taken it on myself to speak to and help the younger lads. That was one of the things the gaffer said when I came in, if I could pass on some of that experience, which is something I believe all senior pros would want to do."
Mooney is in a position where he can back up words with deeds with over 700 career appearances to his name and aiming for 200 league goals. The 36-year-old has also netted 199 goals and can claim to have scored in every division from the Premier down to League Two thanks to stays with, among others, Watford, Birmingham, Swindon, Wycombe and Scarborough. (Er, and the Blues please. That goal v Watford when we won, 6-0 was it?, sticks in the memory, and his late winner at Stoke.) He scored on his debut for Walsall and despite a month out with a calf injury has still managed three goals in seven games, including two in the last three.
"When a striker goes to a new club the pressure is on to score goals and looking at my record it's not too bad," said Mooney. "But I put pressure on myself to score goals anyway. That's why I love matchdays and scoring goals is part of that. That's why I am still playing. I had two good years at Wycombe where we experienced everything bar promotion," Mooney added. "But when it came clear at a late stage in the summer that I would be moving on I took a call from Richard Money. As well as moving up a division it's 20 minutes from home and I haven't been that close to work since I left Birmingham so it didn't take much mulling over."
Mooney had started his career under the guidance of Money as youth team manager at Aston Villa, although Money's overseas postings meant their paths had barely crossed since. Money's return to English football brought Walsall the League Two title last season but their momentum stalled with a return of just two points from their opening five games.
"We didn't get off to a good start and when you have been promoted the better start you have the easier it is," Mooney admitted. "If you take me out of it we have a very young squad. There are some very good players, but not a lot of experience and I think that showed at the start."
Approaching the end of September Walsall were bottom of the table but with Money tweaking things on and off the pitch - including the appointment of the fit-again Mooney as skipper and ex-Burnley boss Jimmy Mullen to the coaching staff - results have been transformed.
"We are not getting carried away because we put ourselves in a difficult position in the first place," said Mooney. "We are still playing catch-up. But a month ago we were bottom of the league so that shows how far we have come."
The end of Dwayne Mattis's loan spell with a broken leg is a blow but Mooney is encouraged by the form of young players like Scott Dann, Daniel Fox and Mark Bradley. And apart from the obvious claims of Leeds and Nottingham Forest and the impressive form of Swansea, Mooney believes Walsall are equipped to continue their challenge. (33 year old Martin Butler has also moved on to Grimsby after a spat with the chairman).
"The aspirations are different now than perhaps they were a month ago," he said. "I think they are the only three sides that stand out so it leaves the rest of the division to aim for the play-off places. Bottom of the table seven matches into the new campaign. Each player has been growing in confidence in whatever department they play across the pitch. We look hard to break down and good going forward and we must maintain those standards. The determination, encouragement and motivation of the management have gone a long way in helping the team to turn things around but we're not getting carried away. A lot of people in football tend to say they take things one game at a time. It's a cliché but that's how we are treating things at the moment. If we can maintain a comfortable position in the table, it gives us a platform to push on from."
THE MATCHES
After we extended our good run against Crewe we play another side that we've got a decent record against; 71 matches in total: Won 35 Lost 20 Drawn 16.
It started well 80 years ago on October 29 1927, a 1-0 away win, Hick grabbing the winner. We liked them away from home as we also secured our best win at Walsall, an incredible 5-1 on January 22 1938; Goddard (2), Oswald (2), Dickenson with a penalty the scorers. Though we didn't like it so much just after the war on September 6 1947, I wonder how many of the same teams of '38 played that day, when the Saddlers completed their biggest win against us, a horrible 0-6. (Presumably not many of ours!) We scored five again on February 5 1966, a 5-3 win at Roots Hall; Bentley, Bradbury, Smith, Firmani and an Atthey OG got the goals. A game that sends a shiver down my spine was a freezing cold February 4 night in 1975 when you're much younger correspondent hitched up the M6 but arrived 20 mts. into the game. "What's the score", I asked. "3-0 to us" said the smiling fat guy on the turnstiles. Us being Walsall and that was the final result. It was a long hitch back!!
The last two games were in our championship winning season. Walsall were one minute away from completing a record 8 straight wins on August 30 05 when the Goat was fed, rising above a static defence to head in a very late but deserved equaliser. A dull goalless draw followed at Roots Hall on February 25 2006 when we going through a slight dodgy period before going on to win the league.
THE GROUND
The Saddlers moved to the Bescot Stadium in 1990 from Fellows Park. With the opening of the now named Floors 2 Go Purple Stand in 2003 the Club are finally getting a ground to match their ambitions. This new stand is for home fans and is a large two tiered affair that completely dwarfs the rest of the ground. It is smart looking, with a glassed area running across its middle, which houses the concourse. Unusually, it has a slightly larger upper than lower tier. This end before it was re-developed was previously called the Gilbert Alsop (a former Walsall playing great) Stand, but in a commercial sponsorship deal, has been renamed the Floors 2 Go Stand. Similarly the H.L. Fellows Stand has been renamed the Txt 64446 Health Stand. A sign of the times I guess...
The rest of the stadium is totally enclosed with three of the stands being roughly the same height, giving it a 'box-like' feel. These stands are not particularly big, around 15 rows high. The corners are filled, but only for advertising hoardings. Above the Homeserve (William Sharp) stand there is a small electric scoreboard, whilst on one side there is a small television camera gantry precariously perched on the roof. One unusual feature are the strange looking floodlights, which sit on the roofs of the side stands. The main disappointment is the large number of supporting pillars in each of the older stands (the new Floors 2 Go Stand is pillar free). As Walsall unfortunately very rarely fill the stadium, this is not a huge problem. However, for big games this can be very annoying if you are unlucky enough to get seated behind one. There is also a small electric scoreboard on top of the Homeserve (William Sharp) Stand.
In a corporate sponsorship deal with Marstons Brewery, the stadium has been renamed the Banks' Stadium.
The Club have announced that they have been granted planning permission to re-develop the Homeserve (William Sharp) end of the ground. The new stand would look similar to the Floors 2 Go Stand and add 2,300 seats to the stadium, raising the overall capacity to 13,500. It would also mean that up to 4,000 away supporters could be accommodated at that end. The back of the stand will also feature a giant advertising hoarding, clearly visible from the M6. The Club are seeking a suitable sponsor for this proposed development.
Away supporters are housed in the Homeserve (William Sharp) Stand at one end of the ground, where around 2,000 away supporters can be accommodated. There are a few supporting pillars at the front which could impede your view. The good news though, is that even a small amount of away fans can really make some noise and make a good atmosphere. A trip to Walsall can be disappointing in terms of trying to get there and the stadium itself, but is more than countered by the relaxed atmosphere around the ground and the friendliness of the Walsall fans themselves.
However the general feedback from away supporters is that The Bescot has to be one of the poorest grounds in the country. It does have a strange look to it with three covered stands all the same size, but one large stand that towers over the rest of the ground, giving it a somewhat lopsided feel. The away end can feel rather cramped and the view distorted by one of the four pillars that run across the front. The only good thing is that it the stand is covered, which means a good away following can create a lot of noise. The away end is served by a food kiosk stuck in each corner, and near to the toilets which created a bit of a bottle neck at half time, especially as a large away following was present. The food though, if you are prepared to wait, is excellent, especially the chicken balti pies, which Walsall were, allegedly, the first club to stock them! The home fans do not appear to be threatening in anyway and the stewards came across as a friendly bunch of people. The amount of police on duty though, as we've seen elsewhere, do seem a little excessive.
THE CAR
The ground is right next to the M6; in fact you can see it from the motorway just north of the RAC Control Centre. Unfortunately, this stretch of motorway normally has a large traffic jam on both Saturday lunchtimes and early weekday evenings, so allow extra time.
Leave the M6 at Junction 7 and take the A34 towards Walsall (beware though of speed cameras on this stretch of dual carriageway). At the end of the dual carriageway turn left at the Bell Inn public house into Walstead Road (sign posted Bescot Stadium, Bescot Station Park & Ride). Continue straight on this road for two miles, passing another pub called the Tiger on your left. You will come to Bescot Stadium and entrance to the away end on your right.
There is a good sized car park located at the ground (cost £3) and behind the away stand, which lends itself to a quick getaway after the match. Bescot Railway Station also offers car parking for £2. Alternatively there is some street parking to be had off Wallowes Lane. Try and avoid parking on the nearby Morrisons Supermarket car park (built on the site of the old Fellows Park), as unless you can prove that you are shopping there, you run the risk of being wheel clamped.
THE TRAIN (OR COACH)
Note that if you go by train, Bescot Stadium has its own station, situated behind the away end only a few minutes walk from the turnstiles. Trains run there on a local line from Birmingham New Street and the journey time is around 25 minutes. There is a regular service on Saturdays along this line and you should not have too many problems getting away after the game. (The trains leave at 17.03 and 17.33)
There were cheap fares by Megabus and National Express, as cheap as £3 London-Birmingham a month ago which have probably gone but they can still be great value. If you decide to choose this route the train from Birmingham New Street to the ground is £2.70 return, the best trains to get to make the game are the 13.27 or 13.57. The 14.27 is only for the fittest supporters! (One word of warning for anyone considering this even at this late stage and might be interested in the Rugby final, the best train will not get back to London until 8 and the coach 9 so you would have to find a pub very quickly!)
THE PUB
The King George V in Wallowes Lane is okay, but as the nearest pub to the ground it gets (rather expectantly) rather busy which can make it a bit difficult to get served quickly. It is about a 15 minute walk away, opposite the Morrisons Supermarket. If you are walking from the stadium, go out of the official car parks and down towards McDonalds. Go past McDonalds on your right and take a left hand turn into Wallowes Lane. At the end of the lane turn left onto the main road and the pub is just setback on the left. Away fans though should avoid the Fulbrook pub near to the ground.
At the stadium there is the Saddlers Club, which normally allows small numbers of away fans in at a cost of £1, but you need to arrive there early. Please note that alcohol is not served inside the stadium. Whilst on the adjoining retail park, that you pass on the way in to the stadium, there is a McDonalds, to keep the kids happy.
It you have the choice it may be better to spend some time having a pint or two in Birmingham city centre, the usual suspects are all there, before hopping on the train directly to the ground, times in the train section.
THE HISTORY
Walsall Football Club are currently reigning champions in the 2006-07 season in Football League Two. They were relegated on 22 April 2006 from League One.
On 14 April 2007, Walsall beat Notts County 2-1 to ensure that they got promotion back to League One at the first time of asking, and on the last day of the season Walsall drew 1-1 with Swindon Town to secure the League Two championship.
Walsall moved into their current Bank's Stadium (previously called Bescot Stadium) in 1990, having previously played at nearby Fellows Park. Their first ever win was against rivals Aston Villa.
Walsall were formed in 1888 when Walsall Town and Walsall Swifts amalgamated. They were first admitted to the Football League in 1892, as founder members of the new Second Division.
Walsall's finest hour came in January 1933 when they beat the great Arsenal side of that era in the FA Cup. In more recent years the club came within minutes of reaching Wembley Stadium, losing 4-2 on aggregate to the mighty Liverpool in 1984. This run involved another famous victory over Arsenal, this time at Highbury, and culminated with a spirited 2-2 draw at Anfield, before they lost 2-0 in the second leg.
The club has always had a rich history of producing players who go on to play at the top level. Allan Clarke went on to win the League Championship under Don Revie at Leeds United after beginning life at Fellows Park. Bert Williams and Phil Parkes both became England Goalkeepers in the years after they progressed from their roots in Walsall. David Kelly had a long career at the top level after leaving Walsall in 1988, representing the Republic of Ireland at the very highest level of international football. More recently, Michael Ricketts represented England after blossoming at Bolton Wanderers. In recent years, Matty Fryatt and Ishmel Demontagnac have both represented England age-groups.
The 1980s were a period of considerable activity for Walsall FC. In addition to cup runs in the League Cup and the FA Cup, they were bought by millionaire entrepreneur and race-horse owner Terry Ramsden in 1986. With his money came high profile signings and the attention of the national media. Walsall earned promotion through the old Division Three play-offs in 1988, but the sale of the inspirational David Kelly was followed by a disastrous two years where two managers came and went and Ramsden's business empire collapsed.
After being saved from extinction by local businessman Barrie Blower in 1989, the club moved to Banks's Stadium, then called Bescot Stadium, in 1990. At the time it was a state-of-the-art arena, and was only the second new Football League Ground since the 1950s. A Morrison's supermarket was built on the site of the old Fellows Park ground.
The arrival at Bescot Stadium saw some stability brought back to the club after two successive relegations. Ex-Wolves star Kenny Hibbitt managed the club for four years, setting the groundwork for a golden era for the club that would follow soon after his dismissal in September 1994.
New manager Chris Nicholl led the club to promotion in his first season, building the nucleus of a strong and under-rated team. Two seasons of stability followed, before Nicholl left, citing family reasons and the fact that he felt the club had progressed as far as he could take it on the limited funds available to a lower-league football club.
Ex-Ajax and Danish International Jan Sorensen took the helm after Nicholl's resignation in the summer of 1997. Whilst 'The Saddlers' finished a dismal 19th in Division Two that season, the club reached the 4th Round of the Coca-Cola League Cup (beating Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United along the way), as well as rampaging through the early rounds of the FA Cup. Lincoln United were dispatched in the first round, whilst league newcomers Macclesfield Town (who until then had been unbeaten at home in all competitions) were destroyed 7-0. Peterborough United, who themselves have a rich cup pedigree, were beaten on a bitterly cold Tuesday evening to set up an interesting tie away at Premiership Champions, Manchester United. Walsall lost 5-1.
Sorensen's tenure was marked by the signing of two of the finest players ever to pull on a Walsall shirt. Ivory Coast born striker Roger Boli started the season in superb form, becoming a marked man for much of the season which dampened his predatory instincts. However, Boli's fellow Frenchman, Jean Francois 'Jeff' Peron was a shining light in an otherwise poor league. Despite being 32 when arriving in England, Bescot was home to scouts from the Premiership and Division One as Peron's reputation grew. Though he only scored one goal in his solitary season for The Saddlers, he is best remembered for his mesmerising ability with the ball at his feet and the exceptional performance which tore Macclesfield Town to pieces in the aforementioned FA Cup tie.
1998-99 began with another new manager and 10 new signings. Ex-Aston Villa winger, Ray Graydon arrived and transformed the club from a popular, yet poorly organised, club into a disciplined and effective force in Division Two. Walsall were inspired by former Oldham Athletic and Everton left-back Neil Pointon, the talismanic striker Andy Rammell, new signing Darren Wrack, and the ever-dependable Jimmy Walker in between the sticks - achieving the massive feat of finishing as runner-up to big-spending Fulham in the final table. The achievement was made even more remarkable as The Saddlers finished above big-spending Manchester City, Wigan Athletic and Staffordshire rivals Stoke City.
Promotion was followed by a heartbreaking last-day relegation from Division One. During the season Walsall had clung on to their First Division status, defeating local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion along the way. Relegation at Ipswich Town on the final day was a bitter-blow to a group of players who played beyond their ability and to their absolute limits all season.
However, The Saddlers returned to the second-tier of English Football at the first attempt, defeating Reading 3-2, after extra time, in a thrilling Play-off final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. After a promising start to the season, the form began to slip away over the winter period. However, the signings of Fitzroy Simpson and Don Goodman added much needed steel to the side and spurred them on to reach the promised land of Division One once again.
Despite all the success he had delivered, it soon became clear that Ray Graydon had reached the end of the road at the club. In a controversial decision that brought with it the wrath of fans and the national media, owner Jeff Bonser dismissed Graydon after an abject performance against local rivals, West Bromwich Albion. His replacement, ex-Wolves manager Colin Lee polarised supporters, but ultimately proved to be a success. The style of football improved, and Lee's signings improved the team dramatically.
Relegation was avoided thanks to vital away wins against Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United, and the new spirit in the squad was typified by a vital last-gasp equaliser away at fellow strugglers Grimsby Town (who also beat the drop).
2003/04 proved to be one of the most remarkable seasons in the club's history. Up until the New Year Walsall were flying. West Bromwich Albion and Nottingham Forest were both destroyed 4-1, as new-signing, the ex-England and Arsenal star, Paul Merson seemed to be repeating some of the magic that had led Portsmouth to promotion the previous season. Following a Boxing Day victory at Cardiff City, the club sat just 4 points off a place in the play-offs. It wasn't to last though.
2004 saw a spectacular slump in form. The New Year began with a disappointing FA Cup Third Round defeat away at Millwall, which saw Jimmy Walker dismissed for throwing a punch at Dennis Wise. Walker's replacement Andy Petterson slotted in for a home debut against fellow-strugglers Coventry City. The Saddlers capitulated, losing 6-1. The following weeks saw costly defeats, and it took until March 13 for the club to win their first league game of 2004. The cause was not helped by a recurrence in Paul Merson's well publicised addiction to alcohol and gambling, and though he traveled to a clinic in the United States with the best will of the club and its fans, it is indubitable that his absence took away the talismanic influence of one of the most influential players in recent footballing history.
Colin Lee was sacked after a shambolic display at Gillingham - though the reason given for his dismissal was his decision to speak to Plymouth Argyle about their vacant manger's position. Lee had been disillusioned by club owner Jeff Bonser, who had blocked the funds needed for the signing of players who proceeded to be a success at other clubs in the League.
Lee was replaced on a temporary basis by Merson, who was assisted by Simon Osborn. Despite the rallying cries of the ex-England international Merson, and the backing of the town, Walsall won only one more game that season, and were relegated, agonisingly by a single goal. On the final day of the season, Rotherham United were visitors at the Bescot Stadium. If Walsall won and Stoke City beat Gillingham in their home tie, Walsall would have stayed up. The Saddlers beat Rotherham United 3-2, and many fans invaded the pitch upon the final whistle, believing that they had stayed up, but as news of a 0-0 draw at Stoke City filtered into the ground, the worst was confirmed. Walsall's relegation left many Saddlers' fans asking themselves just what had gone wrong.
Merson was immediately appointed as full-time manager of the club in May 2004. Almost as soon as he arrived, rumours started to circulate that he would soon be sacked, polarizing Walsall fans who were either behind him or against him. However, despite the question mark which hung over his tactical astuteness, he brought on and developed a number of young players who look set to have a big future in the game. Among those introduced to regular first team football by Merson, the brightest light is Matty Fryatt, who was the Top Scorer at the 2005 European Under-19 Championship where he represented England. His strike rate at Walsall was better than the majority of Strikers in both the Championship and League One. Paul Merson vowed not to stand in his way should a 'big club' come in for him, and it came as no surprise when in January 2006 Fryatt left the club, signing for Leicester City in a deal worth £350,000.
Merson's reign as Walsall manager came to an end on the 6 February 2006, sacked by Chief Executive Roy Whalley after refusing to resign. Two days earlier Walsall had lost 5-0 for the third time in Merson's reign, providing an interesting symmetry to his spell in charge - his first game was a 5-0 defeat away at Norwich City, whilst his final game resulted in a 5 goal reverse at Brentford FC.
Long-serving Youth Team manager Mick Halsall was put in Caretaker control of the Football Club, but ruled himself out of any long term ambitions for the job. Former Walsall player David Kelly was the bookies' favourite for the job, but ex-manager Chris Nicholl put his name into the running hours after news broke of Merson's dismissal.
On Friday, 17 February, whilst speaking to a local news broadcast, Jeff Bonser seemed to suggest that he would be keen to see Merson return to Bescot Stadium as a player, stating "a fit Paul Merson is an asset to any side". However, Merson would seem to be keener on following personal business interests at this time, taking a break from football until the summer. The practicalities of a former manager returning of a player have been tested before, most notably when Andy Hessenthaler resigned as manager of Gillingham in 2004, but remained as a player. However, Merson holds a much higher profile in football than Hessenthaler, and some speculated that it would have undermined caretaker manager Mick Halsall, and any future manager that would be appointed.
Despite all the speculation, there was general shock when, on 22 February 2006, former Birmingham City captain Kevan Broadhurst was appointed as Paul Merson's replacement. Broadhurst had been occasionally linked to the job during the vacancy, but was not considered by bookmakers nor fans to have a serious chance for the job. Broadhurst had a brief loan spell at Fellows Park in Walsall's 1979-80 promotion season. His initial contract was until May 2006 - with the brief to secure Walsall's League One position. Mick Halsall, a former team mate of Broadhurst's, remained with the first team with a view to assisting Broadhurst until the end of the season, when he would return to his original post as Head of Youth.
Walsall were relegated on 22 April 2006 after losing 3-1 to Huddersfield Town. Rotherham United's 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe United saw an unassailable gap of seven points formed. Broadhurst was sacked the next day. Player coach Mark Kinsella was put in charge for the final two matches of the season, with Halsall reverting to duties with the reserve and youth teams. On May 3, the team appointed their fifth manager of the season in former Scunthorpe manager Richard Money.
The start of Richard Money's reign started with a bang and a fresh start to Walsall's fight back to the Coca-Cola Championship. The signing of Martin Butler and Michael Dobson along with other signings gave the club potency to get promoted out of League 2. After 7 games at home and winning all of them without conceding is a record for Walsall fans to be proud of. Walsall were promoted into League 1 on 14th April after beating Notts County 2-1 away from home. On the final day of the season, Walsall drew with Swindon Town, and with Hartlepool United losing their match, Walsall were awarded the League Two title.
On Tuesday 24 April 2007 Walsall announced a 'New Change' with major alterations. A new Kit Sponsor revealing that Banks's would no longer be Walsall Football Clubs official Sponsor for the 2007-08 season, and that Easy Fit conservatories would be the new kit sponsor, a new kit manufacturer which is to be Mann Brothers previously Nike. New Away Kit Colours which are blue/yellow and the biggest change, the club badge which has been reformed back to the original round design and the club Swift which has been designed to look more modern. This marks a new change and an exciting time for Walsall Football Club as they got ready for League One Football this season.
(Thanks to the usual suspects in their help in creating this article)
