Dean Smith urged Jeff Bonser to end his exile

The Saddlers chief has not attended a home game in close to five years because of fierce criticism he has received from supporters.

And Smith – never slow to credit Bonser's backing – was keen for him to break that long absence and see the Saddlers make history by booking a first Wembley appearance.

A 0-0 draw in the second leg of their Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Area final with Preston sealed a 2-0 aggregate win.

Smith again paid tribute to the key role Bonser has played during his time in the managerial chair.

The Saddlers boss said: "I'm over the moon for the chairman. He was not there on Tuesday, he did not want to take the focus off the players. I had been trying to get him to come.

"He has been integral to everything which goes on here."

Bonser remains a familiar figure at the club's training ground and the Banks's during the week, but has stuck by his self-imposed exile out of concern that his presence might adversely affect the team.

Former Saddlers chief executive Roy Whalley echoed disappointment at the chairman's Tuesday absence, but is confident his long-term colleague will be present at Wembley.

Whalley, who also served as club secretary during more than a quarter of a century on the board., said: "It's so unfortunate that Jeff was not there.

"He will have listened to the commentary and he will have kicked every ball. I'm certain he will go to Wembley. Quite rightly all the plaudits will go to Dean and the team.

"But supporters should remember if it had not been for what Jeff Bonser has done over the years, we would never have got to this point."