Hero Jorge to wear Saddlers shirt again
Former hero Jorge Leitao will make a long-awaited return to play for Walsall in a charity six-a-side competition, it was revealed today.
The Portuguese striker – who has not been back to the Midlands since leaving the club almost a decade ago – has been confirmed to line-up for a Saddlers Legends team in the inaugural Club Legends Cup competition at Birmingham's LG Arena on Saturday July 12.
Leitao became a firm favourite during his five-and-a-half year stay at the Banks's between 2000 and 2006, in which he scored 71 goals in more than 250 appearances and was part of the side which won promotion back to the Championship in 2001.
Now aged 40, Leitao will play alongside other former stars, including Pedro Matias and Zigor Aranalde, when a Saddlers team managed by legendary boss Ray Graydon takes on Legends sides from Villa, Wolves, Albion, Blues and Coventry.
Walsall Supporters Trust secretary Steve Davies described the striker's attendance as "quite a coup".
"It's the news that Saddlers fans have been waiting for, that Jorge is coming to his second home to wear the colours he wore with such distinction," he said.
Leitao, who is now assistant boss of Portuguese side FC Arouca, was bought by Graydon for £150,000 from Feirense in August 2000.
Two fans have a chance to play alongside him as part of an auction on the official Club Legends Cup website. The two highest bidders get a place in the squad which also includes Ian Roper, Tony Barras, Mark Taylor, Andy Reece, Tony Millard, Brian Palgrave, Simon Osborn and Wayne Evans.
Tickets for the event are £10 for adults and £2 for children. All proceeds raised go to Cure Leukaemia. For more information visit the website www.clublegendscup.co.uk
Fans can see plenty of other former favourites in action at the Banks's Stadium on Thursday as a Saddlers Legends team captained by Chris Marsh takes on a team of fans.
