At the Bristol Rovers match on March 14, Fan X (name witheld on request) was ejected from the ground on the instructions of a senior member of staff of WFC. UTS has spoken to Fan X, and in his own words we tell the story of what happened:

UTS: 1 – Who are you? How long have you been a fan / held a season ticket?

I am a 61 year old lifelong supporter who wishes to remain anonymous. Taken to Fellows park age 5 yrs old (when the fence was around the pitch). Went to Hillary St school, but used to wag off to throw the ball back to the apprenticies, and dream? I have been a loyal season ticket holder on and off for 30 years, depending on finances.

UTS: 2 – Tell us in your own words what happened?

Frustrated by the game, and how we were playing, both myself and my mate got up after 65mins to celebrate our first shot on goal, with one finger up on both hands. When we had our second shot, on 70 mins, I got up and raised 2 fingers on each hand and shouted “that’s two shots now”, black humour call it what you will.

However I was in Jeff Bonser’s personal eye line and he takes any criticism personally, doesn’t he ? This was not any form of abuse in any way shape or form, if I had got something to say to Jeff, I would say it to his face in a respectful way, not surrounded by hundreds of other supporters.

UTS: 3 – How did you feel being ejected?

Clearly having to walk the gauntlet with 2 fluorescent-coated goons is not the way to remember your final exit from the Banks’s Stadium.

UTS: 4 – What are you going to do next?

I have written to Jeff and returning my season ticket with confirmation that I will not be renewing untill he has called it a day, my mate who was with me, and also been a season ticket holder for many years, will not be renewing his either. I would however like to place on record my thanks to Jeff for his financial stewardship of the club, which is above reproach.

UTS: 5 – Is there anything we can do for you?

God willing, in my lifetime the “Walsall One” will return, and if they cut me open they would see “WALSALL FC” running through me like a stick of rock.
Thanks to all who have emailed the club regarding this matter(I will be there on the last game of the season, to say my fond farewells to the people I have sat around)

It’s remarkable that Fan X manages to take the time to thank Jeff Bonser for his financial stewardship after the indignity of his ejection. Through the eyes of those who know him, this lifelong Saddlers fan is a humble bloke who has been proud to be a Saddler all his life.

We ask that the club recognise that loyal supporters such as Fan X are the lifeblood of Walsall FC and that they return his season ticket with an apology for his mistreatment, which was obviously the result of crossed purposes and misinterpretation.

On being asked for a comment, a source at the club responded:

“The Ground regulations (on display in every exit/entrance tunnel) states “Permission to enter or remain within the ground (notwithstanding possession of any ticket) is at the absolute discretion of the Club, any police officer, or authorised steward”.

An online dictionary definition of ‘discretion’ suggests that it means ‘the trait of judging wisely and objectively’, ‘knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress’ and that discretion is ‘The quality of being discreet; wise conduct and management; cautious discernment, especially as to matters of propriety and self-control; prudence; circumspection; wariness’.

We’ll bring you any further news we can on this story.