To: Sports Desk

Press Release

The Walsall Supporters' Trust is pleased to announce that it will be holding its first Sportsman's evening on 17 May 2001. This event will feature former manager Tommy Coakley and ex-player and current Sheffield United striker David Kelly The Sportsman's evening will take place at the Liberal Club, The Old Birchills, Birchills and will start at 7.30pm. Radio WM's Paul Franks will act as compere.

This event takes place the night after the play-off semi-finals and will remind Walsall fans of the play-off campaign that both Coakley and Kelly were involved in. The evening will begin with an informal chat and will be followed by plenty of opportunity to quiz the pair about their time at Walsall, and in football.

Richard Hall, Chair of the Trust said "we are very pleased that the Trust is launching its series of events with two former club favourites. The involvement of Tommy, David and Paul is a boon for the Trust as a community-based initiative. We hope that this will prove to be an affordable and meaningful evening for Walsall supporters of all ages."

The evening will cost £3 for non-members of the Trust, £2 for individual members, £1.50 for discounted Trust members and £3 for those with a family membership. Life-members will get free entry. The proceeds from this evening, which will include a raffle, will be evenly split between the Trust and a local sporting charity. Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Liberal Club, or from the Trust, from the end of next week, otherwise entry on the evening will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Phil Sturgess, one of the Trustees, noted that it is vital for such events to have a strong community focus. "It is important to the Trust to be active in the community. That is why we will be splitting all of the proceeds from our events with local charities. We would like to be able to make a difference."

Equally important to the Trust is the ability to involve the whole of the community of Walsall in its work, and in opening up information about the club to its fans. The involvement of two ex-favourites helps it to begin to achieve this goal.

The Trust is attempting to forge a community of fans of all ages, which can work to promote an inclusive approach at Walsall FC. The Trustees are creating the foundations for elected officers to move the Trust and the community of Walsall forward in their relationship with the football club.