SOTV

[Welsh_Saddler]

For all their problems on the pitch, Villa seem to have a bottomless pit of available funds - today (last day of the transfer window) they've spent £2 million on Yacouba Sylla (?) from Clermont Foot (France?).

And much good it may do them....... :roll:

[Magic Man Fan]

For all their problems on the pitch, Villa seem to have a bottomless pit of available funds - today (last day of the transfer window) they've spent £2 million on Yacouba Sylla (?) from Clermont Foot (France?).

And much good it may do them....... :roll:

Drop in the ocean in today's Premier League crazy market. Is much rather they has spent £100m on four players on £100,000 a week...and then get relegated.

[King Crimson]

Fellaini's 93rd minute equaliser must have knocked the stuffing out of them today, poor lambs.

[Fray Bentos is God!]

Fellaini's 93rd minute equaliser must have knocked the stuffing out of them today, poor lambs.

I'm so sad for Midlands football. So, so sad.

[PT]

Last time there was this kind of football recession in the West Midlands was the mid to late eighties.

Villa were sliding on their way from European champions to relegation, which I think eventually came around 1987. Blues and Albion were both on their way to spending what I think were their fist spells in the third tier and Wolves bless-'em were comic-cuts with a two-sided ground hosting fourth division football being played out in front of barely 2,000 people (though I think I've personally spoke to 30,000 who "stuck with them").

We benefited. Our crowds rose. A momentum started with the cup run in 83-84 and then Ramsden brought an intrigue, cash, players and turkeys. But on top of this I know that we drew dis-affected fans from all of those clubs.

The reason to my mind was that people who had had enough of their own club's plight still wanted a football fix and fellows Park offered a financially viable and different alternative. It was different in that the match-day experience had some attractive unique selling points. No fences, proximity to the playing surface (Wolves fans who'd previously sat in the John Ireland stand about a mile from the pitch probably couldn't believe how big players were close up!), you could stand behind the goal and down the side and up the corner all in the same game and it was affordable (think it was £2 adults and £1 kids for about 8 years).

That's what our board seem to be failing to grasp at present. Don't get me wrong, they're doing loads and loads right and the long-term on field strategy seems to be paying dividends. But we need more people to show up and my example from the 80's demonstrates that we can attract fans from elsewhere by offering them something uniquely Walsall rather than a poorer version of what they're already used to. Why we fail to positively back the safe standing campaign is a complete mystery to me. Why we dont use the away end as just a turn up and pay on the gate, sit where you want facility for the vast majority of games is also strange. Perhaps the facility to choose upstairs/downstairs in the tile Choice and switch during the game would also be novel. we've got loads of empty seats, so we have loads of opportunity to innovate and with our nearest and dearest struggling so much, and us having an up-tick in playing fortunes, now is the time to do it!

[boringteacher]

Fellaini's 93rd minute equaliser must have knocked the stuffing out of them today, poor lambs.

I'm so sad for Midlands football. So, so sad.

It was fantastic how taking a point away at the form team of the prem must have seemed like disaster :lol: :lol: :lol:

[bangsection]

Is there an SOTD(ingles) thread? Fourth from bottom after today with Saunders still looking for his first win. Still, he does an excellent John Barnes impression. Looking forward to his appearance in the Joe Longthorne Suite in the near future.

[Darth Vader]

Looks like Villa fudge it up again. :lol:

[We-ARE-Walsall]

I am starting to believe now. In the words of Blur, it really , really, really, could happen :lol:

[King Crimson]

I am starting to believe now. In the words of Blur, it really , really, really, could happen :lol:

I'm getting greedy. I want them to finish bottom. That really could happen too.

If it did, I may have to have a little lie down.

[PT]

I am starting to believe now. In the words of Blur, it really , really, really, could happen :lol:

I'm getting greedy. I want them to finish bottom. That really could happen too.

If it did, I may have to have a little lie down.

In the event, it could be that I'd require a tissue.

[Fray Bentos is God!]

I am starting to believe now. In the words of Blur, it really , really, really, could happen :lol:

I'm getting greedy. I want them to finish bottom. That really could happen too.

If it did, I may have to have a little lie down.

In the event, it could be that I'd require a tissue.

Is it because the situation is making you sad for Midlands football?

[PT]

I am starting to believe now. In the words of Blur, it really , really, really, could happen :lol:

I'm getting greedy. I want them to finish bottom. That really could happen too.

If it did, I may have to have a little lie down.

In the event, it could be that I'd require a tissue.

Is it because the situation is making you sad for Midlands football?

Oh absolutely mate. With one eye being partcularly more weepy than the other four!

[kevin]

News Flash......................


...................Villa have finally admitted, it was Villa chairman Randy Lerner driving MP Chris Huhne's car , and are asking for the three points !!!!

[Super Gabor]

Last time there was this kind of football recession in the West Midlands was the mid to late eighties.

Villa were sliding on their way from European champions to relegation, which I think eventually came around 1987. Blues and Albion were both on their way to spending what I think were their fist spells in the third tier and Wolves bless-'em were comic-cuts with a two-sided ground hosting fourth division football being played out in front of barely 2,000 people (though I think I've personally spoke to 30,000 who "stuck with them").

We benefited. Our crowds rose. A momentum started with the cup run in 83-84 and then Ramsden brought an intrigue, cash, players and turkeys. But on top of this I know that we drew dis-affected fans from all of those clubs.

The reason to my mind was that people who had had enough of their own club's plight still wanted a football fix and fellows Park offered a financially viable and different alternative. It was different in that the match-day experience had some attractive unique selling points. No fences, proximity to the playing surface (Wolves fans who'd previously sat in the John Ireland stand about a mile from the pitch probably couldn't believe how big players were close up!), you could stand behind the goal and down the side and up the corner all in the same game and it was affordable (think it was £2 adults and £1 kids for about 8 years).

That's what our board seem to be failing to grasp at present. Don't get me wrong, they're doing loads and loads right and the long-term on field strategy seems to be paying dividends. But we need more people to show up and my example from the 80's demonstrates that we can attract fans from elsewhere by offering them something uniquely Walsall rather than a poorer version of what they're already used to. Why we fail to positively back the safe standing campaign is a complete mystery to me. Why we dont use the away end as just a turn up and pay on the gate, sit where you want facility for the vast majority of games is also strange. Perhaps the facility to choose upstairs/downstairs in the tile Choice and switch during the game would also be novel. we've got loads of empty seats, so we have loads of opportunity to innovate and with our nearest and dearest struggling so much, and us having an up-tick in playing fortunes, now is the time to do it!

Brilliant post PT - merits its own thread really rather than being "lost" a bit here.

I found it really interesting reading your observations and comparisons and your ideas too (apart from safe standing campaign :lol: although I could be swayed eventually!!). But overall some cracking points you make. I am not sure we will see Wolves plummet to the basement division again (did they really get 2,000 crowds in the last 80s?) or see as many other neighbours drop into our division but there is definitely more the Club should be doing to attract fresh faces wherever they may come from. Especially whilst we appear to be building a good young team with some talent and playing some attractive football.

I know the club have done some good deals like the Pompey game (friend for a fiver), free tickets to school kids occasionally and the u18 "free" season ticket which genuinely was innovative but they should push forward and look at all options. It would be great to get back to 5-6k crowd again on a consistent basis and then build on it.

For true supporters you stick with your club and we'll never turn Villa, Wolves, Albion or Blues fans into Saddlers...nor should we want to. I would rather we boost our crowds with people from Walsall (espec the young who get too easily led astray by Villa and Albion supporting parents / classmates) but it would also be good if WFC struck some partnership with the "big 4" so that whenever they were playing away, we did some kind of deal for their fans to come along - some folk out there would welcome going to a footie match to watch if they're not travelling away to follow their team. In recent times we never seem to benefit from this. There was a match a few months ago when we were the only local team playing and the crowd wasn't up much on the norm.

[latviancheese]

5-6k again. Easily do able again if the club continues to go in the right direction. I wont hold my breath.

That humongous concrete block of silence dont look as bad when theres a few more in.

[Neil Ravenscroft]

Last time there was this kind of football recession in the West Midlands was the mid to late eighties.

Villa were sliding on their way from European champions to relegation, which I think eventually came around 1987. Blues and Albion were both on their way to spending what I think were their fist spells in the third tier and Wolves bless-'em were comic-cuts with a two-sided ground hosting fourth division football being played out in front of barely 2,000 people (though I think I've personally spoke to 30,000 who "stuck with them").

We benefited. Our crowds rose. A momentum started with the cup run in 83-84 and then Ramsden brought an intrigue, cash, players and turkeys. But on top of this I know that we drew dis-affected fans from all of those clubs.

The reason to my mind was that people who had had enough of their own club's plight still wanted a football fix and fellows Park offered a financially viable and different alternative. It was different in that the match-day experience had some attractive unique selling points. No fences, proximity to the playing surface (Wolves fans who'd previously sat in the John Ireland stand about a mile from the pitch probably couldn't believe how big players were close up!), you could stand behind the goal and down the side and up the corner all in the same game and it was affordable (think it was £2 adults and £1 kids for about 8 years).

That's what our board seem to be failing to grasp at present. Don't get me wrong, they're doing loads and loads right and the long-term on field strategy seems to be paying dividends. But we need more people to show up and my example from the 80's demonstrates that we can attract fans from elsewhere by offering them something uniquely Walsall rather than a poorer version of what they're already used to. Why we fail to positively back the safe standing campaign is a complete mystery to me. Why we dont use the away end as just a turn up and pay on the gate, sit where you want facility for the vast majority of games is also strange. Perhaps the facility to choose upstairs/downstairs in the tile Choice and switch during the game would also be novel. we've got loads of empty seats, so we have loads of opportunity to innovate and with our nearest and dearest struggling so much, and us having an up-tick in playing fortunes, now is the time to do it!

Email me that and ill make sure it's raised at the next meeting with the club. Pm me for address.

[kshammer]

5-6k again. Easily do able again if the club continues to go in the right direction. I wont hold my breath.

That humongous concrete block of silence dont look as bad when theres a few more in.

The only way we'll get 6000 again is if nasty Jeff goes. Then 2000 stayaways will return for sure. :roll:

[We-ARE-Walsall]

5-6k again. Easily do able again if the club continues to go in the right direction. I wont hold my breath.

That humongous concrete block of silence dont look as bad when theres a few more in.

The only way we'll get 6000 again is if nasty Jeff goes. Then 2000 stayaways will return for sure. :roll:

I know your post was sarcastic, but anyhow if we were in and around the top 4 next season, we'd have 5500-6000 every game after Christmas. Even without the 2000 stayaways that would never break their stance :wink:

[wivenj]

It's all about the kids, hence my tongue in cheek thread "promote Walsall" in AAW. A massive 4yr plan should be aimed at 7-12yr olds throughout the massive borough of Walsall. 20k home gates with the correct marketing.

[Welsh_Saddler]

It's all about the kids, hence my tongue in cheek thread "promote Walsall" in AAW. A massive 4yr plan should be aimed at 7-12yr olds throughout the massive borough of Walsall. 20k home gates with the correct marketing.

Ambition is a wonderful thing.....if you get 20k for a home gate where are you going to put them? :shock:

[chestersaddler]

It's all about the kids, hence my tongue in cheek thread "promote Walsall" in AAW. A massive 4yr plan should be aimed at 7-12yr olds throughout the massive borough of Walsall. 20k home gates with the correct marketing.

Ambition is a wonderful thing.....if you get 20k for a home gate where are you going to put them? :shock:

They are only small so can share a seat

[King Crimson]

We are THE good news story of WM football.

[bangsection]

We are THE good news story of WM football.

No, that's Villa and Wolves being relegated. But we are definitely in the top three.

[latviancheese]

I think with the others being shite, we are getting a little bit of respect.

To be fair, WM did like us when we went up in league two. Then quickly forgot again.

Id still like to put Franksy's head down a bog though. Preferably a bog with a mossive cack in it.

UTS

[WarsawPact]

Given the miasma of defeat emanating from the West Midlands, and the current success being enjoyed by Stoke, Vale and Burton, isn't it time for us to re-apply to Staffordshire - see if they'll have us back?

[Welsh_Saddler]

Given the miasma of defeat emanating from the West Midlands, and the current success being enjoyed by Stoke, Vale and Burton, isn't it time for us to re-apply to Staffordshire - see if they'll have us back?

As far as I'm concerned, we've never been out of Staffordshire!

[saddlerken]

Staffordshire la la la, Staffordshire la la la

If only we could replace the worst City in England (Stoke) with Walsall

[chestersaddler]

Miss of the season :lol: :lol: :lol:

Make sure you see it :D

[Fray Bentos is God!]

I saw it, but was then sad for Midlands football that he didn't score it.