Jeff Bonser has gone one step further than before in the Evening Mail, revealing that the club spent no less than £380,000 pounds last season on loan signimgs.

Bonser had said earlier this year that the figure was over £300,000, but now has admitted the full amount as being more than the fee we were rumoured to have received from Leicester for Matty Fryatt and does not, of course, include the amount for the panic permanent signings such as Barrowman and Devlin. He also, in the process, has admitted that we did, indeed get a £350,000 initial payment for Fryatt.

Former Manager Paul Merson’s policy always seemed to be, when in trouble, bring in another player, leading to the use of some 49 last season.

This lays to rest the accusation levelled by some that Merson was not backed by the Chairman, as he clearly was, but it has, at least, lead to a change in policy this season under new Manager Richard Money.

“We had far too many and I allowed it. I admit I have made some drastic mistakes on the football side over the last three years. But that’s one we won’t be making again.

“I’m not knocking loan play-ers themselves. They come out because they are not in the first team at their club and some of them, like Grant Smith and Michael Leary, showed an excellent attitude at Walsall.

But they can’t possibly have the affinity with the club that players contracted here have.

From now on we’ll look at loans as what they should be - an emergency option. The only exception being if an up-and-coming player from a Premiership club is available for a longer-term loan.”

It’ difficult to disagree with the assessment that very, very few of the loanees made any real impact on the season (Gillett, Timm - who reputedly cost us some £40,000, Leary) and, with a couple of exceptions (Smith, Mills), the money was completely wasted.