Walsall FC fans celebrate club's 125th anniversary

More than 7,000 fans descended on Bescot Crescent, where young fans were treated to a range of sport-themed games and competitions before Saturday's crunch game against promotion rivals Sheffield United.

Long queues for tickets extended the length of the car park as a sea of red shirts surrounded the ground.

Inside the stadium two flags designed by pupils at Shelfield Community Academy were flown on top of the family stand to mark the anniversary. It was the first time the masts had been raised since the club's promotion from League Two in 2007.

On the pitch, Dean Smith's men continued their fine form, holding the high-flying Blades to a 1-1 draw, keeping the club's play-off aspirations alive.

As part of the birthday celebrations, former players John Leedham, Keith Ball, Stan Bennett, Jimmy McMorran, Ray Wiggin, Joe Boyden, Mick Evans, Ken Hodgkisson, Alec Jackson, Alan Roper, Colin Harrison and Stuart Ryder were given a warm reception as they took to the turf and were introduced to the crowd.

Walsall Supporters Trust chairman Neil Ravenscroft, aged 61, has been a fan for 50 years. He says his favourite players were legendary goalscorers Alan Buckley and Allan Clarke, and highlighted the famous 1983 Milk Cup giant-killing of Arsenal as one of the most memorable games.

He said: "There is something about this club. It is small, and you get to meet some brilliant people, and it is full of surprises.

"Nobody expected this season to be like it has turned out to be."

Colin Forrester, 65, of Bewdley, was at the game with a hand-knitted scarf to which he has added the names of Walsall players with more than 200 caps, including record-breaking goalkeeper Jimmy Walker.

Jayne Barratt, 46, has been a fan all her life and is from a family of season ticket holders. She puts current manager and former player Dean Smith among her all-time Walsall greats.

She said: "I think the fans really make what the club is. You get to know everybody here, and it is such a friendly family atmosphere."

Life-long fan Carl Harris, 34, brought his two boys Bradley, eight, and Jack, seven, to the match. He said: "This is really the first season I have brought my sons to the football properly. They absolutely love it."

Perri Bailey, 25, of Norton Canes, went to the game with his daughters Italia, six, and Luca, five.

The fan of 11 years said: "My best moment as a Walsall fan has to be when we beat the Albion 4-1 on the opening day of the season in 2003.

Rob Stokes, 26, of Beechdale, has been attending games since he was nine and has had a season ticket for the past four seasons. He said: "Last season was up and down, and you get used to that as a Walsall fan.

"But the way we are playing at the moment we have to be confident we can challenge for promotion."

Simon Priest, 41, of Rowley Regis, has been attending games since 1999 and reckons supporting a smaller club is more satisfying as a fan.

He said: "I just think you have more of a relationship with a club like Walsall than what you do with Premier League teams."

Next season will bring a programme of further events to mark the 125th anniversary of the club's first official campaign.

They will include a commemorative kit, while the club hopes to arrange an anniversary match with Aston Villa –?the opponents in the Saddlers' first ever competitive match in 1888.