Saddlers' Legends reflect on Club Legends Cup tournament...
THE SADDLERS’ players enjoyed the experience of Saturday’s Club Legends Cup competition.
Whilst we failed to win our three games, we certainly added something to the tournament with Pedro Matias and Zigor Aranalde bringing some Spanish flair and the supporters proving what we already knew, that they are the best in the Midlands.
“I really enjoyed it out there,” said Ian Roper. “It was tiring and I will probably suffer tomorrow, but it was good fun to be out there.
“Once I got used to the playing surface, I felt that I did okay. We were unlucky in each of our games but in the end, as the oldest team in the competition, our legs told.
“It was great to see some old faces and catch up. Ray brought up my weight and the dreaded scales again, but it was all part of the banter and brought back some happy memories.
“I must say that the Walsall fans did us proud; they were by far the best supporters there.”
Pedro Matias added: “It was good for me to be able to say thank you to the fans because I didn’t get chance to do it when I left the club.
“I enjoyed it very much, it’s just a shame that the results didn’t go for us.
“We may not have won on the pitch, but we were certainly winners off-the-pitch.
“I wasn’t as fit as I wanted to be but the experience was good and to be back here playing under Ray and seeing so many familiar faces from the past was fantastic.
“Hopefully I will be able to come back to Banks’s Stadium and see a game sometime because this club still means a lot to me.”
“I may not be a Walsall ‘legend’ as such, but I was honoured to be part of this,” said Andy Reece. “The supporters got behind us all so well; they were a credit to the club and made the experience a special one for us all.”