THANKS to Saddlers Insight, during March a number of questions were put to various members of staff on a variety of subjects regarding Walsall Football Club.

Every query that has come in has been answered and the response has been emailed back to the supporter who emailed in their question.

A selection have appeared in our Official Matchday Programme - 'White & Red'.

However, at the end of each month, more questions will be published right here on www.saddlers.co.uk. So, if you have a question, just email: daniel.mole@walsallfc.co.uk.

You may have a question to ask the coaching staff or the youth department. You may have a ticket office query, a question for a Club Official, or you may just want to find out more about stadium operations, the Media Department or the Conference & Events side of the business. You may even want to ask one of our players what their favourite colour is!

Whatever your question, simply email daniel.mole@walsallfc.co.uk with 'Saddlers Insight' in the subject header and your name and location. Alternatively, write to: Saddlers Insight, Banks's Stadium, Bescot Crescent, Walsall WS1 4SA.

This Q & A session is the sole copyright of Walsall Football and cannot be replicated, in part or whole, without prior permission.

March, April, May Questions

Hello again Daniel,

I am writing in response to the reply I received last month ( see below) about the blocked toilets in the floors 2 go Upper and Middle Stand. It is now 2nd March 2009 and when I was at the match on Saturday 28th February 3 of the 7 toilets in one of the 2 blocks were still out of action with the same problem I reported last month. I cannot see how you would let the Sunday market people use the toilets in the Upper and Middle Floors to Go stand so I am puzzled as to why they are not yet repaired. Perhaps you could pass these comments on.

On a more positive note I was very pleased to see the ticket prices for 2009/2010 in the Early Bird brochure have been frozen and I certainly will be renewing my season ticket and hope others will too. It is a little confusing though to say ticket prices have come down. VAT was reduced this year and as such the price I paid last year (£299) should have been reduced by an extra 2.5% (£7.50). If I pay £290 this year I am effectively saving £1.50 ( £9 less VAT saving of £7.50). Still it is much better than a price increase!

I know many people who buy a season ticket or normal match day ticket for the Floors 2 Go stand, so making a huge saving, and then walk round and sit in stand which used to be the old HL Fellows stand where the tickets are more expensive. So making themselves a big saving on ticket prices. Is there anything going to be done to stop this happening as if I had paid full price for a ticket for the HL Fellows stand I wouldn't be very happy?

Regards

Susan Wakefield

Hi Susan, Thank for your email. I have spoken to Dave Storr our Safety Officer about this matter.

Below is his response:

Hi Susan,

Thanks for this email - it has actually cleared up something for me! You did not mention in your previous email that it was the Upper Tier Floors 2 Go toilet and I therefore assumed, wrongly, that it was the lower as this is where we have had a number of problems below ground. I have now checked those ladies toilets you mention and we have cleared the blockages. One toilet is still a problem in as much as it cannot be flushed at all - it is a push button mechanism and unfortunately this type is not made anymore so I have ordered a full replacement which should be in place by the next game.

With regards to supporters walking around into the Txt 64446 Health Stand from the Lower Tier Floors 2 Go, you are quite right, this should not happen. I have had several complaints and from the last game (Yeovil) I had additional stewards on the area between the two stands to prevent this from happening. I was made aware of supporters using the Txt 64446 Health Stand as an exit point so that they could walk along the front, still watching the game until they left the ground at another gate. This has also been stopped for the sake of those in the Txt 64446 Health Stand who pay more.

Dave Storr, Stadium Operations Manager and Safety Officer

I hope this clears things up for you.

Daniel Mole, Communications Manager

Hi Daniel,

A question for Nigel Bond - How did you progress from a supporter to a director? What was the background behind your appointment?

Regards

Dave Evans, Walsall.

It all started in 2005. After watching Walsall lose 3-2 to Chesterfield when we had been 2-0 up at half time was devastating.

After the match I listened to Paul Merson talking on the radio and he said "They've ruined my weekend, I'll ruin theirs. They are training tomorrow".

On the Sunday morning after I'd finished reading the damning report in the Sunday Mercury I thought I would go up to the training ground to see if they were actually training as Paul had said they would.

Sure enough they were.

I passed a few words of encouragement to Chris Westwood and Mark Wright. Then had a similar conversation with Paul Merson.

It was then I noticed that Jeff Bonser also happened to be at the ground and I thought I'm not going to miss my opportunity to speak to him "in for a penny, in for a pound", as it were. I introduced myself and told him that I had only come to support the team and the club and not moan at them. I said to him "We all have a bad day at the office sometimes and it was theirs yesterday".

Jeff told me that he didn't want to be at the ground either on a Sunday morning but he had also wanted to come and support.

Jeff and I chatted for about half an hour and he invited me to have a cup of coffee with him the following week at the Football Club.

Never slow to take up on invitation, we did meet up the following week. We had several further 'coffee mornings' over the course of the next few weeks. These meetings consisted of very direct, straight talking 'question and answer' sessions, much of which was confidential.

Much to my shock I was then asked if I would like to become a Director of the Club, and here I am!

I hope this answers your question.

Nigel Bond, Director

This Q & A session is the sole copyright of Walsall Football and cannot be replicated, in part or whole, without prior permission.

Hello,

As the 20 year anniversery of Bescot is coming up soon I was wondering if the club going to make a special edition shirt as well as the book that is launching?

Matty Mole

Hi Matty,

Thanks for your email.

In terms of a special edition shirt, we are looking at reproducing the most iconic kit from our time at Bescot. After speaking to a fellow supporter, Rob Perks, the idea was to run an online poll where supporters can choose their favourite strip from 'the Bescot years'.

It is hoped that this will then make its way to full production and will be available to purchase from our club shops.

Kind Regards

Daniel Mole, Communications Manager

Hi Daniel,

I'm enquiring as to whether there will be an Awards Evening this year similar to the one held last year. Last years event was very enjoyable and it would be nice to know that the club intends to continue with it.

I would be grateful if you could let me know if consideration is being given to it and what the potential dates could be so I can make the necessary arrangements.

Regards, Mark Johnson

Hi Mark,

We had a meeting about this recently and I can confirm it will take place on Sunday, 3rd May. More details can be found on www.saddlers.co.uk.

Many Thanks

Daniel Mole Communications Manager

This Q & A session is the sole copyright of Walsall Football and cannot be replicated, in part or whole, without prior permission.

Who has actually paid for the new advertising hoarding, the Football Club or our Owner/Chairman/Landlord? Will the rent be increased because of its presence and by how much? What is the timescale for replies?

Tim Warner

Tim,

The Football Club have not paid for the new advertising hoarding but will receive a percentage of any revenue acquired through advertising. The timescale for replies is seven days.

Regards

Daniel Mole

Communications Manager

Thanks Daniel, but more haste and less speed. In your rush to reply in seven days you forgot to answer the question about the rent increasing or not. I look forward to your response next week.

Tim Warner

Tim,

No decision has been made on this as building work on the sign has only just been completed and potential advertisers are being sought. Feel free to contact me at a later date and I will put your questions to the relevant departments.

Regards

Daniel Mole

Communications Manager