Following reports in certain tabloid newspapers over the weekend concerning the private life of Paul Merson, the club has issued the following statement:
“Walsall Football Club are extremely satisfied with the way that Paul Merson is carrying out his role as Player Manager. He has assembled a good team around him, and the club are looking forward to a successful 2004/05 campaign with Paul at the helm. The personal addictions with which Paul has had to deal with in recent years are well documented, and the material included in newspaper articles over the weekend contain little not already known. Paul has worked hard, and continues to do so, to overcome the addictions he has had to face. He works closely with Walsall Football Club Owner/Director, Jeff Bonser, and has the full support of everyone at Bescot Stadium. Paul has lifted the atmosphere at the club. He has created the kind of positive attitude that, if translated into ‘on-the-field’ performances, will produce an entertaining and successful season.”
The tabloid had alleged that Merson is “losing up to £200,000 a month betting on virtually any sports event, plunging thousands every day on bizarre punts such as who will take first corner or free kick in a soccer match and facing financial ruin as he racks up debts that will total over £2 million in one year if he continues like this.”
Also announced today were next season’s squad numbers. Mark Paston (1) looks set to be first choice keeper ahead of Richard McKinney (27). Michael Standing (7) takes Simon Osborn’s shirt, with the player coach wearing number 4. Iffy Onoura has been registered as a player and wears 29. Skipper Neil Emblen moves to number 5 and Gary Birch to number 8.