Walsall F.C.

Walsall
Full name	Walsall Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Saddlers
Founded	1888 (as Walsall Town Swifts)
Ground	The Banks' Stadium, Walsall; (Capacity: 11,300)
Chairman	Jeff Bonser
Manager	Chris Hutchings
League	League One
2008–09	League One, 13th
File:Kit body whitesidepiping.png Home colours	Away colours

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from Walsall FC)

Jump to: navigation, search

Walsall Football Club are an English football club based in Walsall, West Midlands, they currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club were one of the founder members of the Second Division in 1892, but have spent their entire existence outside of English football's top division; their highest league finish was sixth in Division Two in 1898–99.

Walsall moved into their Bescot Stadium in 1990, having previously played at nearby Fellows Park. Their opening game was a friendly fixture against local rivals Aston Villa, with Villa winning 4–0. The ground is now known as Banks's Stadium for sponsorship purposes.^[1] The team play in a red and white kit and their club crest features a swift. They have rivalries with neighbouring Black Country teams, West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with more 'traditional' rivalries with Shrewsbury Town and Port Vale. The club's nickname, The Saddlers, reflects Walsall's status as a traditional centre for saddle manufacture.

[edit] History

See also: Walsall F.C. seasons

The Walsall team pictured in 1893

Walsall were formed as Walsall Town Swifts in 1888 when Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. amalgamated. Walsall Town had been founded in 1877 and Walsall Swifts in 1879. Walsall Town Swifts' first match was a draw against Aston Villa. In 1889 Town Swifts' first England international, Albert Aldridge was capped twice by his country. The club were first admitted to the Football League in 1892, as founder members of the new Second Division, but in 1894–95 finished 14th out of 16 teams and failed to be re-elected to the Football League. They changed their name to Walsall F.C. and joined the Midland League.

Walsall's highest "home" attendance was set in 1930, when they played in of front of 74,600 fans against Aston Villa in the FA Cup Fourth Round. Although a home match for Walsall, the tie was played at their opponents' Villa Park ground, and it remains the highest attendance that Walsall have ever played in front of. Walsall was a founding member of the Third Division North in 1921. In 1933 won 2–0 in the FA Cup against Arsenal, who went on to win the First Division that season.

In 1958, following a reorganisation of the Football League, Walsall became founder members of the Fourth Division. Under the management of Bill Moore, the club achieved successive promotions, scoring 102 goals on their way to winning Division Four in 1959–60 and finishing as Division Three runners-up in 1960–61 to reach the second tier of English football for the first time since the early 1900s. Players such as Bill 'Chopper' Guttridge, Tony Richards and Colin Taylor were intrinsically important to the success of the side. After just two seasons in the Second Division, the club were relegated back to Division Three in 1962–63, and remained there until a further demotion to the Fourth Division, in 1978–79.

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. In 1983–84 they defeated First Division club Arsenal on the way to reaching the League Cup semi-final, where thet gained a 2–2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield, but lost the second leg 2–0 and the tie 4–2 on aggregate. Walsall narrowly missed out on promotion in the same season. In 1986 plans were announced to move Walsall to Birmingham, to groundshare with Birmingham City. The town rallied behind Barrie Blower, who led a campaign to save the club. Walsall were subsequently bought by millionaire entrepreneur and race-horse owner Terry Ramsden and with his money came high profile signings and the attention of the national media. In 1986–87, under new manager Tommy Coakley, Walsall narrowly missed the playoffs, but made considerable progress in the FA Cup as they defeated First Division Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City and took Watford to two replays in the fifth round. Walsall earned promotion through the old Division Three play-offs in 1988, beating Bristol City in a replayed final. 1988–89 saw the club relegated from Division Two and Ramsden's business empire collapsed alongside the Japanese Stock Exchange. Walsall were minutes from being taken over by Japanese Administrators and folded, but survived, again through the actions of Barrie Blower and local businessmen.

The old Walsall logo

Further relegation followed at the end of 1989–90 as Walsall were consigned to Division Four. The club moved to the 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 resigned in 1997, 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 departure. Whilst 'The Saddlers' finished 19th in Division Two that season, the club reached the 4th Round of the 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 beaten 7–0. Peterborough United, who themselves have a rich cup pedigree, were beaten on a bitterly cold Tuesday evening to set up a tie away at 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.

In 1998-99, ex-Aston Villa winger Ray Graydon took over as manager and led the club to a runners-up spot in Division Two.^[2] They were relegated on the final day of the following season, despite derby wins over local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion earlier in the campaign.

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.^[3] 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 spured them on to reach 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 live on Sky TV 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).

The next two seasons were a mixed bag. Lee improved the club immeasurably off the field, allowing it to fulfil part of the huge potential it has. On the pitch some rather dull performances were dotted in between some inspiring football. Again, relegation was avoided in the 2002–03 season because of the signing of key players, such as ex-Tottenham midfielder Vinny Samways who returned from a six-year spell in Spain to help the Walsall cause. Samways slotted into a side which many believe was the most talented Walsall team since the clubs golden era under Bill Moore in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

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 four 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 travelled 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 avoided relegation, 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, polarising 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.

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 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 3 May, 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 Two. After seven 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 One on 14 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.^[4]^[5]

On 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 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 get ready for League One Football in 2007–08.

The club performed strongly in 2007–08, a season that included a run of 17 league matches without defeat, though they ultimately finished just outside the play-off places. Richard Money resigned as manager and Jimmy Mullen took over as caretaker manager before being given the job on a permanent basis.

Walsall officially opened its new training ground in Essington in July 2008, following two years of development. This gave the club its own dedicated training base for the first time in its history.[1] In January 2009 Walsall sacked manager Jimmy Mullen and replaced him with their former player Chris Hutchings.

[edit] A timeline of Walsall's history

1888 - Founded as Walsall Town Swifts
1896 - Beat Wolverhampton Wanderers to win the Birmingham Senior Cup, and also Aston Villa in the Birmingham Charity Cup final.
1896 - Move into the new Hillary Street Ground, which will later become known as Fellows Park - Walsall's home, on and off, until 1990.
1933 - Beat Arsenal in the FA Cup - a result still regarded as one of the greatest FA Cup upsets of all-time.
1972 - Club rescued from financial oblivion by new owner Ken Wheldon.
1975 - Defeat Manchester United and Newcastle United in the FA Cup on the way to the Fifth Round. The winning goal against Newcastle is scored by striker George Andrews.
1978 - Defeat Leicester City in the FA Cup on the way to the Fifth Round.
1979 - Sign striker Alan Buckley back from Birmingham City for a club record £175,000. He becomes player-manager soon after.
1984 - Walsall reach the League Cup semi-finals, defeating Arsenal in the fourth round, but manager Alan Buckley is sacked for failing to guide the club into the Second Division.
1986 - Racecourse owner Terry Ramsden buys the club.
1988 - Promotion to the Second Division is achieved.
1989 - Relegation to Third Division after just one season in the second.
1990 - A second successive relegation sees Walsall relegated to the Fourth Division, and they moved into their new Bescot Stadium a few hundred yards from Fellows Park.
1992 - Jeff Bonser buys the club, which again was minutes away from entering receivership. Players were told to find new clubs, and staff were told to clear their desks before Bonser's last minute save.He appoints KENNY HIBBIT (ex Wolves) as Manager. They remain members of the Fourth Division which is rebranded Division Three on the creation of the Premier League.
1994 - Chris Nicholl is appointed manager.
1995 - Walsall take Premier League club Leeds United to a replay in the third round of the FA Cup. They also win promotion to Division Two.
1997 - Chris Nicholl resigns as manager to be succeeded by Jan Sorensen.
1998 - Walsall reach the fourth round of the FA Cup where they lost 5-1 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Jan Sorensen resigns at the end of the season and is succeeded by Ray Graydon.
1999 - Walsall win promotion to Division One.
2000 - Walsall are relegated to Division Two, being pipped to survival by local rivals West Bromwich Albion.
2001 - Walsall climb back to Division One at the first attempt, winning the Division Two playoffs.
2002 - Ray Graydon is sacked as manager and replaced by Colin Lee.
2003 - Walsall sign 35-year-old former Arsenal and England midfielder Paul Merson and beat West Bromwich Albion on the first day of the new league season.
2004 - Walsall are relegated from Division One shortly after the dismissal of Colin Lee as manager. Paul Merson takes over as player-manager. They become members of the newly-named League One (formerly Division Two) after a reorganisation of the Football League.
2005 - Paul Merson is sacked after just over a year as manager and is replaced by Kevan Broadhurst.
2006 - Walsall are relegated to League Two and Kevin Broadhurst is sacked as manager to be replaced by Richard Money.
2007 - Walsall win the League Two title and are promoted to League One.
2008 - Walsall achieve a top half finish in League One but Richard Money resigns at the end of the season and is replaced by Jimmy Mullen.
2009 - Walsall survive in League One after Jimmy Mullen resigns as manager and Chris Hutchings takes over.

[edit] Walsall in film and television

In the film Fever Pitch, the day Arsenal were beaten by Walsall in the League Cup Fourth Round in 1984 is mentioned during a game of pool.
1970s BBC comedy television series Ripping Yarns: "I didn't come here on a free transfer from Walsall ...."

[edit] Grounds

[edit] Fellows Park

Main article: Fellows Park

Fellows Park was a former football stadium in Walsall, England. It was the home ground of Walsall F.C. from 1896 till 1990, when the team moved to the Bescot Stadium.

[edit] Bescot Stadium

Main article: Bescot Stadium

The Bescot Stadium (currently known as Banks's Stadium for sponsorship purposes), situated in Bescot, Walsall, England, is the home ground of Walsall Football Club. It was built in 1990 at a cost of £28,000, replacing the club's previous ground, Fellows Park, which was located a quarter of a mile away. The ground was opened by Sir Stanley Matthews.

[edit] Players

[edit] First team squad

No.	Position	Player
1	GK	Clayton Ince
2	DF	Rhys Weston
4	DF	Stephen Roberts
8	MF	Dwayne Mattis
12	MF	Mark Bradley
13	GK	Tom Cox
14	DF	Richard Taundry
17	FW	Alex Nicholls
19	FW	Troy Deeney
20	DF	Emmanuele Smith

No.	Position	Player
21	GK	Rene Gilmartin
22	DF	Mark Hughes
23	MF	Richard Davies
24	FW	Will Grigg
25	MF	Charlton Davies
26	FW	Josh Craddock
27	DF	Netan Sansara
28	MF	Sam Adkins
29	DF	Darryl Westlake
31	GK	James Belshaw
??	FW	Steve Jones

[edit] Youth and Reserves

For the reserve and youth squads, see Walsall F.C. Youth and Reserves.

[edit] Former players

For details on former players, see Category:Walsall F.C. players.

[edit] Players of the season

Anthony Gerrard (Player of the season 2005–06 & 2007–08)

Over the past few years it has become traditional that professional football clubs have a player of the season award, and Walsall Football Club is no different, for a number of years they have allowed supporters to vote for the player who they think deserves the award. The votes are then counted and the award is normally given out at the final home game of the season.

From the 2007–08 season however this is no longer the case. The club instead has a rewards evening for the where all the trophies were given out to the winners meaning it is no longer going to be done at the final home game of the season, which came as a disappointment for those who aren't able to make the awards evening.

There has been no less than 10 winners since the rewards have been introduced to Walsall Football Club and for as far back as the Wikipedia records go there has only been 3 players who have won the award twice, Adrian Viveash, James Walker and Anthony Gerrard.

Ian Roper (Player of the season 2002–03)

Name	Season
Clayton Ince	2008–09
Anthony Gerrard	2007–08
Dean Keates	2006–07
Anthony Gerrard	2005–06
Matty Fryatt	2004–05
Paul Ritchie	2003–04
Ian Roper	2002–03
James Walker	2001–02
Jorge Leitão	2000–01
Gino Padula	1999–2000
James Walker	1998–99
Jeff Peron	1997–98
Adrian Viveash	1996–97
Adrian Viveash	1995–96
Kevin Wilson	1994–95

[edit] Top goal scorers (season)

Tommy Mooney (Top Scorer 2007–08)

Michael Ricketts (Top Scorer 1999–2000 and 2008-2009)

Player	Goals	Season
Michael Ricketts and Troy Deeney	12	2008–09
Tommy Mooney	12	2007–08
Dean Keates	13	2006–07
Matty Fryatt	14	2005–06
Matty Fryatt	15	2004–05
Jorge Leitão	9	2003–04
Júnior	16	2002–03
Jorge Leitão	10	2001–02
Jorge Leitão	21	2000–01
Michael Ricketts	11	1999–2000
Andy Rammell	20	1998–99
Roger Boli	24	1997–98
Kyle Lightbourne	20	1996–97
Kyle Lightbourne and Kevin Wilson	15	1995–96
Kyle Lightbourne	23	1994–95
Dean Peer	8	1993–94
Wayne Clarke	21	1992–93
Rod McDonald	18	1991–92
Stuart Rimmer	13	1990–91
Stuart Rimmer	10	1989–90
Stuart Rimmer	8	1988–89
David Kelly	20	1987–88
David Kelly	23	1986–87
Nicky Cross	21	1985–86

[edit] Club officials

[edit] Board officials

Name	Role
Jeff Bonser	Chairman
Richard Tisdale	Director
Clive Welch	Director
Stefan Gamble	Director
Peter Gilman	Director
Stefan Gamble	Director of Finance
Roy Whalley	Company Secretary
Barry Blower MBE	President
Tony Richards	Honorary Life President

[edit] Current management and coaching staff

Former first-team manager Richard Money.

Name	Role
Chris Hutchings	Manager
Paul Taylor	Football Consultant
Vacant	Head of Youth
Bill Jones	Youth Development Officer
Martin O'Connor	Assistant Manager
Jon Whitney	Physio
Jason Chidwick	Assistant Physio

[edit] Managerial history

This table is now completed as per the end of 2008-09 Season. It will now not be updated until the start of the 2009-10 Season in August 2009.

Walsall have had 32 full-time Post-War managers. The most recent managers are:

Name	From	To	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Total Points Won^	Total Points Won (%)^	Honours
Chris Hutchings	20 January 2009	Current	22	8	6	8	30	45.45%
Jimmy Mullen	22 May 2008	10 January 2009	27	10	4	13	34	42%
Richard Money	3 May 2006	22 April 2008	74	34	17	23	119	53.6%	Promotion to League One 2007
Kevan Broadhurst	22 February 2006	24 April 2006	11	1	6	4	9	27.2%
Paul Merson	16 April 2004	6 February 2006	94	32	39	23	135	47.9%
Colin Lee	24 January 2002	16 April 2004	116	38	48	30	162	46.6%
Ray Graydon	5 May 1998	22 January 2002	199	79	71	49	308	51.6%	Promotion to First Division 1999 & 2001
Jan Sorensen	25 June 1997	5 May 1998	62	26	23	13	101	54.3%
Chris Nicholl	1 August 1994	21 May 1997	157	71	45	41	258	54.8%	Promotion to Second Division 1995
Kenny Hibbitt	16 May 1990	2 September 1994	201	69	77	55	284	47.1%

The above statistics include cup games, but not friendlies. ^ - Whilst not every game including in the table are competitive, a league-style points system has been used to better establish the effectiveness of the Manager in succeeding with the club.

[edit] All-time records

All time attendance : 25,453 v. Newcastle United. Second Division, 29 August 1961.
Attendance at Bescot Stadium : 11,049 v. Rotherham United. First Division, 9 May 2004.
League Victory : 10–0 vs Darwen. Second Division, 4 March 1899.
League Defeat : 0–12 vs Small Heath. Second Division, 17 December 1892.
Cup Victory : 7–0 vs Macclesfield Town (away). FA Cup 2nd Round, 6 December 1997.
Most Capped Player : Mick Kearns (15), Republic of Ireland.
League appearances : Colin Harrison (467) 1964–1982.
League Goals : 184. Colin Taylor 1958–1973 (three separate spells); and Tony Richards 1954–1963.
League Goals in One Season : Gilbert Alsop (40). Division Three (North), 1933–34 and 1934–35.
Transfer Fee Received : £1,000,000 for Scott Dann from Coventry City, January 2008.
Transfer Fee Paid : £175,000 for Alan Buckley for Birmingham City, June 1979.

[edit] Honours

Old Division Four Champions : 1959–60

League Two Champions: 2006–2007

[edit] References

^ "Walsall rename ground Banks's Stadium". Football Shirts. 2007-05-11. http://www.football-shirts.co.uk/fans/125. Retrieved on 2007-05-11.
^ "Up where we belong! Graydon upsets the odds to take Walsall into Division One.". Birmingham Evening Mail (England). 1999-05-19. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60328191.html. Retrieved on 2008-07-05.
^ "Walsall break Reading hearts". BBC Sport. 2001-05-27. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/1352124.stm. Retrieved on 2008-07-05.
^ "Swindon 1-1 Walsall". BBC Sport. 2007-05-05. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6602935.stm. Retrieved on 2008-07-05.
^ "Promoted Walsall's open top tour". BBC Sport. 2007-05-08. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/6636873.stm. Retrieved on 2008-07-05.

[edit] External links

[Walsall_rename_ground_Banks.27s_Stadium-0] "Walsall rename ground Banks's Stadium". Football Shirts. 2007-05-11. http://www.football-shirts.co.uk/fans/125. Retrieved on 2007-05-11.

[Promotion_1999-1] "Up where we belong! Graydon upsets the odds to take Walsall into Division One.". Birmingham Evening Mail (England). 1999-05-19. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60328191.html. Retrieved on 2008-07-05.

[Promotion_2001-2] "Walsall break Reading hearts". BBC Sport. 2001-05-27. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/1352124.stm. Retrieved on 2008-07-05.

[Promotion_2007-3] "Swindon 1-1 Walsall". BBC Sport. 2007-05-05. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6602935.stm. Retrieved on 2008-07-05.

[open_top_tour-4] "Promoted Walsall's open top tour". BBC Sport. 2007-05-08. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/6636873.stm. Retrieved on 2008-07-05.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]