Exciting events planned in run-up to the big day...
SADDLERS' fans will have the chance to mingle with their Wembley heroes, attend a fans forum with manager, Dean Smith, and get up close to the famous Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at a special event here at Banks’s Stadium.Manager, Dean Smith, and members of The Saddlers' first-team squad will be on hand to meet and greet supporters on Tuesday, March 10th as the countdown to the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final between Walsall and Bristol City gathers pace.
Fans will have the chance to have their picture taken with the coveted trophy at the free celebration event from 4pm, while there will be competitions aplenty to win replica balls and other Johnstone’s Paint goodies.
Smith and members of his squad will arrive at the event from 5pm to meet and greet fans, pose for pictures and sign autographs.
From 6pm-7pm, Dean and special guests with a strong Walsall connection will take fans’ questions in a special fans forum staged in conjunction with BBC WM.
The Banks’s Stadium event will be one of the highlights as the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy team visit for an action-packed Trophy Tour ahead of our first-ever trip to Wembley Stadium on Sunday, March 22.
Earlier on March 10, the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy team will hit the streets of Walsall to take in local efforts to ‘paint the town red’ to back the club ahead of our big day.
Businesses, schools and charity shops are being encouraged to get behind their local club by decorating their buildings in Saddlers' red using banners, flags and bunting.
On Monday, March 9th, the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy will also be on display at the Walsall Johnstone’s Decorating Centre on Queen Street (WS2 9QD) between 7.30am and 9.30am.
Johnstone’s Paint brand and sponsorship manager Ben Wilde said: “We are looking forward to a fantastic two days in Walsall and, judging by the excellent rate of ticket sales, everyone in the town is extremely excited about the prospect of the club going to Wembley.
“Throughout the nine years of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, there has been a very strong commitment to engaging with fans and communities at every opportunity.
“There is no better way than hitting the road and meeting up with the supporters of a club who have reached the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final and Wembley for the first time.
“Wembley fever has well and truly struck in Walsall and these events will add to the excitement around the club and the town. It would be fantastic to see as many fans as possible come and join the fun.”
After heading to Walsall, the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Tour will be in Bristol on Wednesday, March 11th and Thursday, March 12th.
Johnstone’s Paint, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary as a leading paint manufacturer in 2015, has sponsored The Football League Trophy for the last nine years.