Simon Ward and his son, Stephen are the main hosts of the channel but we have some superb support and below you can read a little bit more about our channel guests and contributors.
We’re all huge fans of Walsall FC with years of experiencing the highs and lows of following the team. As avid football fans and supporters we love all things Walsall FC and would love for you to join the journey with us!
Role: Creator of Walsall Fan TV, Host
Occupation: Creator of Walsall Fan TV, Host and also published author. Also but less so now, a lean manufacturing six sigma black belt (process improvement specialist)
Lives: Sedgley, Dudley
First Walsall Game: Home to Fulham in 1981. My dad took me and i made my own way there after that as he was often working. Used to catch the 301 bus from Coseley with a mate who sadly defected to watch West Bromwich Albion when his lad wanted to watch Premier league football (that didn’t work out so well).
Favourite Memory. the 2-2 with Liverpool in the Milk Cup semi final in 1984 at Anfield was my favourite for a long time but the first game in the championship at home to WBA, August 9th 2003. As you may recall a Paul Merson inspirted Walsall won 4-1.
Worst memory. This is fresh and still raw. The capitulation after being 12 points clear at the top of League Two only to squander our position and end up in the playoffs. Hopes were raised with two wins over Chesterfield but the pain was felt with a vacant display in the final against AFC Wimbledon.
Favourite Players: David Mini Preece, Jorge Leitao, Pedro Matias and the turkish messi, Erhun Oztumer.
Role: Safeguarding officer for the channel and matchday co-host.
Occupation: Civil Engineering degree Apprentice
Lives: Sedgley, Dudley
First Walsall Game:
Favourite Memory.
Worst memory.
Favourite Players:
Role: Regular Fan Chat guest and fan reaction contributor
Occupation: Primary School Teacher and PE Development Officer
Lives: Featherstone, Wolverhampton
First Walsall Game: Saturday 15th November 1986. FA Cup 1st Round. Walsall 2-0 Chesterfield. Goals from Craig Shakespeare and a rare Kenny Mower goal. I also remember David Kelly getting sent off at the end for fighting with a Chesterfield defender, who also got sent off. My next game was a 4-2 win against Darlington a few weeks later and that was it, I was hooked.
Favourite Memory. Walsall 3-1 Oldham on the 1st May 1999. The day we clinched promotion in Sir Ray’s incredible first season. Amazing when you look at some of the teams we finished above that season (Man City!!). That day was also my 21st birthday. I enjoyed my party that night.
Worst memory. Relegation from the Championship in 2004. After winning 1-0 at Cardiff on Boxing Day we were only just outside the play offs with games in hand. 4 months later we were relegated. 2 years later we were in league 2.
Favourite Players: Jimmy Walker, Craig Shakespeare, David Kelly, Martin O’Connor, Jorge Leitao and Andy Butler.
Role: Regular Fan Chat guest
Occupation: Works in Finance
First home game vs Bury (Sept 75)
First away game vs Arsenal (Feb 78)
Best memories (Fellows Park era) The view of the Fellows Park pitch from the Hillary Street steps (love at first sight), Watford 4-4 where we simply refused to back down, Anfield in 1984 (obviously)
Best memories (Bescot era) Darren Wrack’s goal at Lincoln (to effectively get us up), Tom Bradshaw at PNE (to effectively take us to Wembley and demolishing West Bromwich Albion on the opening day of 2003/04. Everyone remembers the Mersin brace but the third goal was genuinely outstanding.
Role: Regular Fan Chat guest and fan reaction contributor
Occupation: Studying A levels in Physics, Maths and Politics
First game: My first match at walsall was when I was 3 years old and it was an epic. As in 2011 Walsall took on hartlepool on the 19th of March. We where two nil down but when the argentinain goat emmanual ledesma came on at 55th minute and changed he the game. As gigg scored on 59, Julian gray 77 and smith 83. Then ledesma got his goal with a free kick in stoppage time. This was the game that gave dean smith his great escape with us finally out of the drop zone and a great escape at the end of the season. I can remember my dad saying at the end of the game, ‘this doesn’t happen every week’.
Favourite Memory/Season: Well this is a very hard chose not because there are so many but because there are none really to chose. However there is one which does stand out and it is 2015 to 2016 season, partially under dean Smith and with legendary player such as Bradshaw and sawyers. As well as the best captain ever in adam chambers. It did unfortunately end bad but that doesn’t beat that season or specifically under smith. However it was ruined by Sean o’driscoll.
Favourite Players: Jimmy Walker
