This Friday sees the funeral of 23 year old Walsall fan, Oli Hewitt. As a memoriam for a true Saddler, here is a tribute from someone who knew him far better than I did, Philthesaddler:-

One of the saddest days of my life is fast approaching. Thursday March 23rd was a day of disbelief and shock for all of us as news filtered through of the untimely death of Oliver Hewitt, a well known and much loved supporter of Walsall FC, and a member of the UptheSaddlers message board. Friday, April 7th, however, will be a much sadder occasion, the day it really sinks in and hits home, the day we say farewell to Oli at Aldridge Parish Church at 12.00 noon.

Oliver passed away in his sleep in the early hours of Thursday March 23rd, completely unexpectedly. He was even chatting away to members of the UptheSaddlers community until the early hours of the morning, being his usual friendly, charming and witty self.

One of my fondest, and earliest, memories of Oli goes back to junior school in Aldridge. One day, he came in to school not with the usual regulation black shoes, but with the most outrageous American style white basketball trainers with black strips all over them - he stood out like a saw thumb on the playing field. He took some stick that day.

Over the last 8 seasons I have stood or sat with Oli at Walsall matches, not only at Bescot, but up and down the country. I remember standing, freezing at St Andrews a few years back, watching him, “tired and emotional” shall we say, trying to decorate a Christmas Tree and chat up two [female] nurses at the same time in a pub in Oldham last December.

Oli attended all but 3 games this season, his commitment to Walsall FC was unbelievable, even arctic conditions didn’t stop him getting to Bradford in late 2005.

Oli had a great sense of humour, he certainly knew how to have a good time, he had a way with the ladies, but he was also kind hearted, down to earth, honest and the most genuine guy you could meet. I was always amazed at the amount of people that he knew, not as acquaintances, but as friends - he treated every one equally, he never judged anyone, that’s what made him so easy to get on with. I never remember him being angry or having a bad word to say about anyone, he was just a happy go lucky lad who loved his family, his football club and his friends. He was an instantly loveable rogue with a sense of fun, but also kind hearted and generous.

This unique personality of his is what will stay with me forever, I aspire to be like him, his warmth, his friendliness, his ability to be friends with people from all walks of life; I think we could all learn something from Oli, and the way he lived his life. I have already started asking myself “What would Oli do?” to help me make decisions.

Words cannot do justice to describe how much he meant to people he knew, or how much he will be missed, nor can one imagine how Oli’s family must feel at this time, but I must say they have been brave and dignified.

Hundreds will celebrate his life this Friday in the colourful and vibrant way he lived it. I will never forget Oli, such a wonderful, charismatic person with everything going for him, loved by all who knew him, respected and honest, he will be sorely missed, not least on the away terraces up and down the country or in the Floors2Go Middle Stand Block C.

Oli was a truly great guy. Requiescat in Pace, Oliver Hewitt.

Kevan Broadhurst hasn’t had much to cheer him up recently, but, according to the Express and Star, he’s found some positives around the club.

Some of the fringe players have forced themselves into contention for Saturday’s crucial home game, following good performances for the reserves this week.

Prime amongst those is raw striker James Constable, who got two in the draw against Forest.

Broadhurst said of the former Chippenham Town man:

“James has a knack of getting goals and he has certainly put himself in the frame for Saturday,” said Broadhurst.
“It’s a bit of a juggling act with our forward at the moment because they are all similar strikers.
“But you’re looking for someone to really push themselves forward and James has done that.”

Constable was withdrawn from the game early to protect him from injury, so it looks like he will be playing a part in the Bristol City game.

While Constable’s all round game isn’t really good enough to play the lone striker role with Timm or Devlin withdrawn, he can finish and the acquisition of Steve Claridge does give the option of playing two up front.

From the interview in the Star, it seems that Ishmel Demontagnac, who also scored for the reserves, and Michael Leary are also much in the Manager’s thoughts.