The Walsall Football Club AGM is due again and, as usual, the Walsall Supporters’ Society (formerly the Trust) will have some questions they will be asking of the Board, in their position as shareholders. This year, worringly, the club has secured external financing for the first time, rather than depending on the Directors. That, and the lack of communication with the fans, will be the main thrust of the questions to be asked:

1. We note that for the fifth consecutive year the board have been required to extend the amount of refinancing of Walsall FC Ltd.. For what purpose was the loan of £495,000, secured from by way of a legal charge over the football stadium, drawn down? How do the Board plan to get out of this cycle of extending refinancing?

2. We note that for the first time refinancing has been secured from a source outside of the Board. Clearly, the Board of Directors have an emotional as well as a financial stake in Walsall FC, and we are grateful for their continued commitment to provide the necessary financial support for the next 12 months. Will the Board clarify from whom this external refinancing has been secured and why an external lender has been needed?

3. What are the implications for the Club of implementing a refinancing policy involving an external lender who may have less of an emotional tie to Walsall FC? How does this impact on Walsall FC’s future?

4. Will the board clarify why no Supporters’ Focus Group meeting has been held in the last 18 months? We believe that these are a useful way for the Board to discuss its plans with supporters, and we were grateful for Mr Whalley’s involvement at these sessions. It is also a commitment made to the supporters through the Customer Charter. Do the Board plan to re?instigate Supporters’ Focus Groups?

A full report of the answers, such as they may be, will appear here.

Walsall nicked a tidy away win at Sutton, going 2-0 up and maintaining the lead to the end to go through to the 3rd round of the BSC. 

 The Saddlers sent out a near full-strength reserve side, keeping back all the first choice youth team squad, ready for their big game against the youth team of the the cheating scum from West Yorkshire, on Thursday. Sutton went into the game lying in second place in the Southern League (Midland Division) and having won all of their previous eight games.

A goalless first half was fairly evenly balanced with Walsall having slightly more possession but the Royals looking more dangerous in front of goal. Whatever Jimmy Mullen said, in the dressing-room, at half-time certainly did the trick as the Saddlers set about their task with a vengeance and looked comfortably in control at 3-1 up after only 12 minutes of the second half. After Sutton pulled a goal back, near the end, they did apply a little pressure but Walsall held out to earn a place in Round Three.

Defence:- Bossu has had some good games in the “stiffs”, this season, but this was definitely not one of them! In probably his worst performance, so far, he never looked commanding and frequently fumbled the ball. This, of course, had a “knock-on” effect on the guys in front of him. Roper and Smith were never too sure what Bossu would do and it showed in their play, at times. Doran and Sansara were less affected and both had steady games.

Midfield:- Out wide, Junior contributed little and looks to be seeing out his contract while Diddy Dave was his usual industrious self on the left. However, he often loses the momentum of an attack by constantly turning inside and switching the ball onto his right foot. A naturally left-footed player, in attack, would have been useful. Davies and Taundry covered a lot of ground, in the centre, without really catching the eye - nothing wrong but nothing outstanding.

Attack:- I feel sorry for Nicholls. He is a lad with a good attitude whom we would all like to see do well. Unfortunately, nothing appears to be going right for him, nowadays. This was typified in the second half when he struck a superb shot which looked a goal all of the way until Sutton ‘keeper, Chris Gemmell, produced the save of the match to deny him. This is a “make or break” season for young Alex. I hope that he can recover his earlier promise.
Deeney was, well - Deeney. What you see is what you get. He lacks the finer skills and his first touch on the ball sometimes lets him down but he works his roe out for the team and the opposing defence will always know that they have been in a game.

Goal Log:-
50 min. - 0-1 - Taundry cut in from the left to unleash an unstoppable right-foot shot, from the edge of the penalty-area, into the far corner of the net.
53 min. - 0-2 - A nicely worked move saw Deeney put the Saddlers further ahead.
55 min. - 1-2 - Sutton woke up to reduce the arrears with a Leon Doughty header at the far post, from a right-wing cross.
57 min. - 1-3 - The flurry of of four goals in seven minutes was completed with a side-foot shot from Davies.
82 min. - 2-3 - Justin Rowe got a deserved reward for his personal efforts and ensured a nervy last few minutes for the young Saddlers with a nice piece of individual skill to elude Smith and Roper.

Thanks to Leamore for the report.  See the thread in the Match Report & Reaction section to chat about this on the messageboard.