Saddlers hold a special place for Smith...
IT'S 125 years to the day that The Saddlers were formed on Saturday and we will be celebrating the occasion at our home game against Sheffield United.
The club has a long and proud history and for manager, Dean Smith, it will always hold a special place in his heart.
Smith came through the youth ranks to launch his playing career at Fellows Park, making over 160 senior outings, before returning to the club, initially as Head of Youth, to begin his managerial career.
"This club will always be special to me," he said without hesitation. "It was Walsall who first gave me my chance in professional football and I have a lot to be grateful to them for.
"Being from this area, I know that people want to see the players working hard and giving their all for the club. If they can do that and also play some nice football along the way, then that's all the better.
"As a local lad who emerged through the ranks here, there was always plenty of support for myself and the likes of Chris Marsh and Martin Goldsmith who came through with me.
"The Walsall fans want to see their own come through and do well and we've certainly got plenty of lads in the current first-team squad who have done that.
"Our selling point for young players here is that you will get your chance regardless of age if you are good enough.
"There are some extremely hard-working and committed people involved here; we have a club to be proud of and I am very excited by what the future holds in store."
LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR EARLY BIRD SEASON-TICKETS - YOU HAVE UNTIL AFTER THE GAME ON SATURDAY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GREAT SAVINGS AND BIG INCENTIVES...
The club has a long and proud history and for manager, Dean Smith, it will always hold a special place in his heart.
Smith came through the youth ranks to launch his playing career at Fellows Park, making over 160 senior outings, before returning to the club, initially as Head of Youth, to begin his managerial career.
"This club will always be special to me," he said without hesitation. "It was Walsall who first gave me my chance in professional football and I have a lot to be grateful to them for.
"Being from this area, I know that people want to see the players working hard and giving their all for the club. If they can do that and also play some nice football along the way, then that's all the better.
"As a local lad who emerged through the ranks here, there was always plenty of support for myself and the likes of Chris Marsh and Martin Goldsmith who came through with me.
"The Walsall fans want to see their own come through and do well and we've certainly got plenty of lads in the current first-team squad who have done that.
"Our selling point for young players here is that you will get your chance regardless of age if you are good enough.
"There are some extremely hard-working and committed people involved here; we have a club to be proud of and I am very excited by what the future holds in store."
LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR EARLY BIRD SEASON-TICKETS - YOU HAVE UNTIL AFTER THE GAME ON SATURDAY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GREAT SAVINGS AND BIG INCENTIVES...