Whalley promises to ban protestors

Walsall chief executive Roy Whalley has promised to ban the banner-waving protesters after launching an angry attack on chairman Jeff Bonser's critics.

The Saddlers' supremo accused fans of trying to destroy the club, after raising banners against Bonser and manager Chris Hutchings before Monday's 2-1 home win over Wycombe.

Whalley reckons fans who protested violated Football League ground regulations and will be banned from the Banks's Stadium, starting with Tranmere on Saturday.

He raged: "The people who were involved will not be coming in to the match on Saturday. They will be banned until further notice. It's against ground regulations and we're not prepared to sit back and allow it to happen. We have pictures of those who were involved.

"They want to stop and think about what they are trying to do. They are damaging the club and putting off good supporters.

"When you have people who do not want to listen it's as if they have a hidden agenda. If we let them do what they want they will destroy the club and drive people away."

The Saddlers host Tranmere in League One this weekend and Whalley has also warned anyone who brings banners that they will be denied entry to the stadium.

He said: "They will not be allowed in. That type of behaviour is inciteful and is against ground regulations."

The chief executive also accused the vocal minority of risking people's jobs, because if they forced fans away the Saddlers would need to cut back.

He said: "We have about 200 people who rely on the club for their income. We have about 100 full-time employees and 200 part-time, we are a big employer in the town.

"They are not only putting the future of the football club on the line but they are also risking people's livelihoods."

Whalley has had complaints about the protesters and believes they are in the minority, but is disappointed they affected the atmosphere against Wycombe.

He said: "Against Colchester and Millwall we got some good points and the atmosphere was really good. On Monday we won but the atmosphere was spoiled by a few people.

"There were fans who were supporting the team, but some who continued to be negative. They need to start looking at the wider picture."