Leigh Pomlett is urging the missing fans to return to Walsall
New owner Leigh Pomlett says adding an extra 1,000 fans to Walsall's average attendance would greatly increase their chances of success on the field.
The international businessman completed a shock takeover of the club earlier this week – ending Jeff Bonser's 28-year reign at the helm.
Bonser has been cited as the reason why a number of fans have decided to stay away from the Banks's Stadium in recent years.
And Pomlett is hoping those supporters will now come back and get behind the team.
"This is a new era – I am ambitious and I want fans to share in that ambition," the 62-year-old said.
"We have a very good management team now in place here. It is very good.
"We have a chairman that cares passionately about the club, someone who is pragmatically ambitious about the club.
"I need them to help me be successful and they need me. It’s a two-way thing, and the way they can help me is by putting more bums on seats.
"If we could get an extra 1,000 supporters in the stadium it would be absolutely huge for this football club.
"There is always a lot of talk about the playing budget. And extra 1,000 people at the game would make us incredibly competitive.
"We are competitive now, but 1,000 more would make an unbelievable difference. Certainly three or four more players. It’s as significant as that."
Despite Walsall's relegation last year, Pomlett's takeover and the appointment of Darrell Clarke as manager has led to a feel good factor engulfing the Banks's Stadium.
And the new owner is determined for that to continue into the new campaign.
"I've been really pleased with the reaction since the takeover has been confirmed," Pomlett said.
"I've been shocked and humbled. It was more than I expected.
"Now I just want that good feeling to continue.
"It feels good at the moment despite the fact we have been relegated, it’s strange.
"I just want all our fans to get behind the club. Get behind the professional footballers we employ.
"Forget what has happened in the past and put aside any prejudices that you might have.
"Come back and support Walsall Football Club because you want to, because you can make a difference and because when our stadium is rocking it's a wonderful place to be."
