Celeb fan Pete Waterman backs Saddlers for survival
Celeb fan Pete Waterman has backed Walsall manager Dean Keates – and says he believes the Saddlers will remain in League One.
Walsall face Northampton tomorrow (3pm) in a crunch six-pointer at the Banks’s Stadium.
“I thought we pulled it off two weeks ago,” said music mogul Waterman. “Saturday is going to be a big game, but I think we’ll be OK – I hope we’re going to be OK.
“I’ve always loved Keates. He’s one of the reasons I used to go to every game, when he played. We had a great bunch of players back then. They were amazing.”
Club legend and former player Keates took charge of the Saddlers back in March, replacing sacked John Whitney.
The 39-year-old manager is a Walsall hero after winning three promotions as a midfielder.
The Beechdale-born boss has now been tasked with keeping the Saddlers in English football’s third tier.
Despite his love for the club, Pete will not be attending this weekend’s match due to work commitments at BBC WM on which he presents a weekly show.
“I don’t get to see Walsall play any more because of working on WM,” explained Waterman.
“By the time I’ve finished there I have to get the train at 2.15pm, as I don’t drive to WM. I just wouldn’t get there in time.
“Every Walsall match I’ve ever been to was an ‘away’ game for me. It’s always been miles and miles away, whether I was coming from London or Cheshire.
“The nearest ‘home’ game for me was at Oldham.”
