Press Release

A lengthy AGM of the Walsall Supporters' Trust donated £100 to the former Walsall player Willie Naughton and wished him and his family well. Trustee Dave Roe noted that "we hope the money will help Willie and we would like to thank him for the enjoyment he gave us as a player."

The AGM discussed the progress of the Trust over the past year and felt that the Trust should be proactive and positive in its relationship with the football club. The members backed the club's stance on the proposed Phoenix League and the Trust will continue to support the club's line on an appropriate restructuring of the league pyramid based on merit.

The Trust Board will also be investigating the possibility of working with the club in the community, and of sponsoring a player or match-ball in the near future. Trustee Ray Rowley stated that it was "crucial that the Trust focused its attention on developing positive relations with the club."

The AGM also discussed the need for a dialogue between the club and the fans. Whilst it was noted from the floor that the Directors of Walsall FC may not want to talk to the Trust, Phil Sturgess argued that "it was better to do something positive than to do nothing. As supporters and shareholders we must press for fuller information from and communication with the club."

The Trust is not seeking to dictate to the Director's of the football club about who should be running the club, but we do feel that an improved dialogue between the hierarchy at the club and the fans will help to generate an explicit, shared vision. This is becoming more important as the club approaches Christmas in the relegation zone.

There has been some discontent voiced on the terraces and the world wide web about the club's current predicament, but the Trust will not support or condone any direct action that is violent or threatening to life, limb or property. Clearly, much of this discontent stems from a perception, often based upon hearsay, of what the Directors are doing to keep us in Division 1. The Trust Board believe that pointing the finger and blaming is ultimately self-destructive. But the supporters do need more information from the club rather than second-guessing the Directors' motives or vision.

The Trust does not claim to represent all fans, but with a significant membership and as shareholders, we do feel that it would be appropriate for the club to talk to us. The Trust Board will be pressing the Directors of Walsall FC for a meeting to discuss:

1. the possible sponsorship of a player or matchball;
2. ways in which the Trust can support the Walsall FC in the community; and
3. the Director's strategy and plans for Division 1 survival.

The WST is a membership organisation of dedicated Walsall FC supporters and has over 520 paid-up members. This means that its members form 10 per cent (a significant minority) of our average home crowd. These people are also shareholders in the football club with 73 shares.