Press Release
Colts to benefit from an evening with Coakley and Kelly
The Walsall Supporters' Trust is pleased to announce further details of 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.
The evening will feature a short, informal talk by Coakley and Kelly about their time at Walsall FC, focusing upon the club's last, successful play-off campaign. There will then be plenty of opportunity for members of the audience to quiz the pair. Tommy Coakley stated "I am very flattered to have been invited to take part in this event. I enjoyed my time at Walsall and to be able to talk to the community about that means a lot to me."
There will also be a raffle, and two of the prizes will be 2000-2001 club shirts, one of which has been signed by the Walsall FC first team, the other by Coakley and Kelly themselves. These shirts have kindly been provided by two local firms, Performance Through People of Walsall, and Quinn Castle Windows of Brownhills.
The proceeds from this event will be split evenly between the Trust, in order to further its work in the community, and Pelsall Villa Colts. Pelsall councillor Garry Perry noted that the Colts "are self financing and have a struggle to support initiatives such as work on their grounds and changing facilities. Any donations will make a big difference to them." The money that the Trust raises will be put towards tracing and purchasing shares in Walsall FC Ltd for its members.
The evening will cost £3 for non-members of the Trust, with discounts for Trust members. Life-members will get free entry. Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Liberal Club, or from the Trust by contacting Adam Winnall on 07970-502657. Otherwise entry on the evening will be on a first-come, first-served basis. There will also be an opportunity for non-members to join the Trust at next year's rates of £5 for waged adults, and £2.50 for unwaged, OAPs and juniors.
Note to Editors
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.