Stefan Gamble: Relegation would be a disaster for Walsall

The Saddlers, who saw their survival hopes boosted with a dramatic victory over Bradford on Saturday, sit 18th in League One – four points above the drop zone.

Gamble insists Walsall would cope financially if they fell into League Two.

But the Saddlers chief admits relegation is unthinkable for everyone associated with the club.

“From a football point of view it would be a disaster,” the chief executive said.

“We don’t want to be in League Two. We want to be in League One with the aim of pushing on and at some stage achieving Championship football. That is our ambition.

“From a football perspective it would be a disaster and everyone would feel the same. The board, the staff, the fans – everyone associated with the club would feel the same.

“From a financial point of view, we would cope because we run the business correctly. There would be reductions in central revenues from the Football League. You would be looking at reduced sponsorships.

“But there would be a similar reduction in wages so from a financial point of view we would cope.

“The last time we were in League Two, under Richard Money, we had a very good season, the attendances were bigger and the revenue larger than the previous year.

“But that is assuming you are successful, we can’t take that for granted. League Two is a very tough league.

“If the worst came to the worst we would cope with relegation. But everyone is fully focused on staying in this division.”

Gamble admits the club would have to assess how it is run on and off the field if relegation did happen.

But he insists a drop into League Two should not significantly affect staffing levels at the Banks’s Stadium.

“We would certainly have to look at the overall operation of the club, absolutely we would,” he continued.

“Your revenues are reduced so you have to cut your cloth accordingly. However, we run a tight ship.

“Anyone who works for the club more than covers the cost of their employment.

“I can’t say there wouldn’t be changes. But we are on a good footing, we could run on a similar level.”

Read a full, and exclusive, interview with Walsall chief executive Stefan Gamble in tomorrow’s Express & Star.