Scott Laird: Thanks for the Walsall support

The 29-year-old joined the Saddlers on loan from Scunthorpe at the beginning of the 2016/17 campaign and immediately struck up a rapport with supporters.

With his future now up in the air, Laird admits he is keen on returning to Walsall this summer.

But whether he comes back or not, the defender says he'll never forget his time as a Saddler.

"It was a great season for me at Walsall – even though we didn’t go on and get into the play-offs – it was still one of my most enjoyable seasons in football," Laird said.

"That was because of the fans, the players the staff and all the media guys as well.

"I just want to say thanks to the fans for the way they accepted me and the way they took to me.

"They are a massive part of why I enjoyed my time at Walsall so much.

"Hopefully next season, whether I come back as a Walsall player or an opposing player I will get my song sang again.

"Walsall is a great place to be. And I couldn't have asked for anything more from my time at the club."

Laird was left out of Walsall's final three games of last season as boss Jon Whitney looked to give some match minutes to some of the younger members of his squad.

But while disappointed not to feature, Laird said he understood the manager's decision.

"I totally respect the gaffer and I can’t thank him enough for everything he has done for me," he continued.

"I spoke to Jon before the last three games of the season and he told me I wouldn’t be involved as he wanted to look at some of his younger players.

"If I was a manager I would have wanted to look at some of the younger players as well.

"Now it's down to Walsall to decide whether or not I come back. I have expressed that I want to stay and have a chat.

“But that is as far as I have taken it, I’ve not heard anything.

"Maybe the gaffer wants to go a different way but it’s still very early days.”

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