Ex-Walsall favourite Dan Watson on local pride, his departure and the Saddlers' League Two title bid

Pumping his arms profusely, Walsall-born Watson absorbed every single emotion as he charged towards a sea of fanatical Saddlers supporters in the far stand. 

This was much more than just a job for former goalkeeper coach Watson. This was a dream, a privilege and prophecy to lead his hometown club to better times. 

"It means so much winning football games at any club but it feels extra special when it's your hometown club," the affable Watson reflects with a broad smile. 

"I think I lost myself for a brief second which I was reminded of by the staff (he chuckles) but it was a proud moment for someone who lives in the town. 

"Whether you're on the school run or shopping in Tesco. Whatever it may be, if you had your Walsall tracksuit on and people wanted to have a conversation, I was just so proud." 

Walsall missed out on the play-offs by five points at the end of Mat Sadler's debut campaign but Watson felt there were visible signs that times were changing at the club. 

"I know last season some of the results weren't going our way and the fans wanted it," he acknowledges.

"But when we were on the inside, we could see what Mat was trying to achieve and now the club are reaping the rewards for that."

Time was the key but Sadler's conviction in his vision was equally as instrumental.

"The biggest compliment I can pay Mat is that he never changed once," he continues.

"I've been around a lot of managers in my coaching career and when the chips were down, the manager might tuck himself away in the office, he might be a little bit moody around the training camp, the atmosphere might be down. 

"But Mat never changed. He had a smile on his face every day, he knew what he wanted the team to look like and how he wanted to play.

"He never came away from his beliefs and he just made everybody feel great. He always had time for everybody in the building, from Mandy, who was the chef, to the staff and the players, and he'd give you that personal touch. 

"Mat would take you away from football and ask you how your family was, how the kids are and how you are more importantly. 

"If you feel that he cares about you as a person then I'm sure lads are going to go that extra mile for him on the pitch."

18 months on from Sadler's appointment, Walsall sit 12 points clear at the League Two summit and are riding the crest of a wave following a club record nine-match winning streak in the league. 

Watson left Walsall last summer after two years at the club but is proud to have played his part in the rise. 

On his departure, he reveals: "I sit here now, do I miss football? Of course I do. Do I miss football at my hometown club? A million per cent.

"I sat with Mat and we had a long conversation. I know people who dare say I was asking for ridiculous money but it wasn't that at all. 

"Me and Mat are great friends and we'll always be close friends. Who knows going forward whether we reunite but the conversation was a shake of hands and it was something that I needed to do. 

"It was no fallout with anyone at the club. Everything was amicable because I'm a big believer of never closing doors in life because you might just have to walk back through it one day." 

For now, Watson proudly watches on from the side lines as the history making Saddlers continue their assault on the League Two title race. 

And if a League One return is secured, Watson will be lining the streets of Walsall in May. 

"For me as a Walsall fan, it would be absolutely fantastic to see the club get promoted into League One and be back on the map where they should be," he concludes. 

"It's what the club deserves. It's been a club that has been down there for far too long and the fans have had some unhappy times for far too long. 

"I'll be at the front of the queue when the open top bus comes around to cheering the lads and the staff."