Hello and welcome to the first of many regular blogs I will be doing in 2010 on Walsall FC. Looking back on 2009, the year started with the sacking of Manager Jimmy Mullen and the appointment of Chris Hutchings to drive the team forward with former fans favourite Walsall-born Martin O'Connor as his assistant. Both are familiar faces and well respected by the supporters. They were seen as the 'dream team' and they soon got the Banks's Stadium faithful 'on side' with a welcome 1-0 win over the once-mighty Leeds United and another notable game was the 1-0 win at Milton Keynes Dons where The Saddlers denied the hosts their promotion party with many fans in fancy dress!
Chris Hutchings had a busy summer recruiting several new players with the likes of Steve Jones, Mark Hughes and former Walsall hero Darren Byfield joining the fold whilst the back room staff saw another ex-Saddler Dean Smith become Head Of Youth. The management team of Hutchings, O'Connor and Smith are all former Walsall captains and men the supporters can identify with and believe in as the club strive for a return of Championship League status for the town.
The 2009-10 season has seen Walsall hover just under the play off positions and there's no doubt that Chris Hutchings has a team who are capable of playing good football and scoring goals regularily with Steve Jones, Darren Byfield and Troy Deeney all almost on double figures for the season. Walsall have to rely on home-grown talent and several young lads have forced their way into the first team which is always nice to see.
So here's hoping the town will get behind their football club in the New Year and help The Saddlers gain promotion by the end of the season. There are plenty of games left to do it so come along and cheer them on!
Happy New Year everyone.
