September 2010

Whichever way the Saddlers turn, West Bromwich Albion, Wolves, Aston Villa and Birmingham City bear down on them, which can’t always make life easy for their fans.

With this in mind, Walsall’s band of loyal supporters should be applauded for their unwavering support which proves that no matter the temptation, there really is no choice when it comes to following your side.

Many people associate the club with its close proximity to the M6, its purpose built Banks’s Stadium and its mouth watering Balti pies, which were first introduced at the Bescot.

The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy can certainly vouch for them after having a taste during Walsall’s home game with Chesterfield in round one.

Either they were extremely hot, or we couldn’t wait to eat one quickly enough, because we’ve got a lasting impression of the Banks’s Stadium for weeks – a severely burnt mouth!

Some bottles of Walsall water soothed the pain and got us wondering if Bloxwich or Wednesfield has a spring we don’t know about!

To think of the club in purely culinary terms would do a massive disservice to the Saddlers, who used to ply their trade a stone’s throw from the Banks’s at Fellows Park.

Their achievements on the pitch have been far more impressive, particularly when you consider what they have been up against alongside their loftier neighbours.

In recent times, Ray Graydon virtually achieved mission impossible for Walsall twice, guiding the club right up to the Championship, achieving two promotions during his time in the late 1990s.

They even beat Birmingham City, Wolves and West Bromwich Albion during that time too.

Further back, the Saddlers will always be remembered for beating Arsenal in the League Cup in 1983/84 at Fellows Park, and going on to draw with Liverpool in the first leg of the semi-finals at Anfield, eventually bowing out in the second leg.

To this day, Alan Buckley remains their joint record signing and a hero for all Walsall fans as a player and manager.

Tony Richards, Colin Taylor, David Kelly, Allan Clarke and Jorge Leitao are just five of many other famous ex-players to be remembered with fondness and love from various generations of Walsall fans.

Today, the club continues to compete in League One under the stewardship of ex-Premier League manager Chris Hutchings.

With new signings Reuben Reid and Jon Macken added to their ranks, there is no reason why the club can’t look forward to some more good times ahead.

They won’t be in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy this season though, after bowing out at the first stage to an impressive Chesterfield outfit.

The away side’s trio of Craig Davies, Jordan Bowery and Dean Morgan were too hot for the Saddlers to handle, the latter two names scoring the all important goals.

While Reuben Reid - on loan from West Brom – did notch an equaliser, it was not enough for the home side, who can at least concentrate on the league for the time being.

As for Chesterfield...The Balti pies have never tasted so sweet!

Johnstone's. Bringing colour to the beautiful game.