Walsall

Bescot Stadium, photo: DAFTS Money go-round

Walsall v Darlington

Coca-Cola League Two

Saturday 26th August 2006, 3pm

New boss Richard Money has been having a Summer sort-out as Walsall dropped down into the bottom division. I saw them once in pre-season and have to say, I wasn't that impressed - new 'keeper Clayton Ince and the defence a bit ropey. But they've got off to a flyer, unbeaten in the league and with the boost of a midweek cup win at Plymouth. Up front, they may cause more problems with Hector Sam the latest to join a new-look strike-force.

Man to watch Martin Butler Striker signed from Rotherham, who should link up with new arrival Tony Bedeau.

Full match preview on the D@rlo Uncovered website.

From the outside, the ground is a disappointing modern shed, with corrugated cladding, hard to distinguish from the surrounding Pets At Home and Comet out-of-town stores. On the plus side, there is a well-run programme shop, in addition to the club shop. Inside, it's compact and bijou, although the home end behind the goal - Floors 2 Go Stand - is two-tiered and with privte boxes.

Away fans at the Bescot are behind the goal in the Homeserve Stand, with room for 2,000. There are a few pillars, so try to avoid sitting behind them. There's an excellent range at the catering kiosk, with pies and pasties at £2. Toilets were clean and the programme, the standard £2.50.Adults £18, concessions - under 16 and over 60 - £12 (matchday), with adult £16 and £10 concession (advance purchase discounts).

Walsall FC:
Bescot Stadium, Bescot Crescent, Walsall, WS1 4SA
Tel: 0870 442 0442
History: Formed in 1888 out of the merger of two other Walsall sides, and as Walsall Town Swifts became founder members of Division Two in 1892 but dropped out a few seasons later for 20 years, moving grounds twice. Founder members of Third Division North (with Darlington). The club achieved a famous win over Div 1 champions Arsenal in January 1933. It had a few Cup scalps in the 1970s, with the club between Division Three and Four and some financial problems. The club moved from its old Fellows Park home - now Morrisons supermarket - to the all-seater Bescot in 1990.
Record Attendance: 11,049 v Rotherham United Div 1, May 2004; 25,453 v Newcastle, Div 2 Aug 1961 (old ground).
Capacity: 11,300
Last season: 24th (relegated to League 2)
Honours: Div 4 champions 1959-60, Div 2 play-off winners (2001). Div 4 runners-up 1979/1980, 1994/1995; Div 3 runners up 1960/1961, 1998/1999.
Record victory: 10-0 v Darwen, Div 2, March 1899.
Defeat: 0-12 v Small Heath, Div 2, Dec 1892.
Nicknames: The Saddlers
Colours: Red/white
Manager: Richard Money
Chairman: Barry Norgrove
Players in: Tony Bedeau (Torquay), Martin Butler (Rotherham), Michael Dobson (Brentford), Carlos Fangueiro, Clayton Ince (Coventry), Allan Picken (Newcastle Jets), Hector Sam
Players out: January: James Constable (Kidderminster); Summer: Andrew Barrowman, Daryl Taylor (Bournmouth), Taiwo Atieno, Simon Osborn, Andy Oakes, Dean Coleman, Graham Deakin (Tamworth - loan), Michael Standing
Famous fans/players/connections: Alan Buckley, Paul Merson (player and manager), John Barnwell, Ray Graydon (managers), Allan Clarke, Mick Kearns (players), Pete Waterman (Pop Idol judge, fan).
Click for Streetmap of ground

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Walsall seem to be setting the standard for what it will take to get out of League Two this season. Defensively, they were very solid and frustrated Darlo most of the afternoon. The first half was fairly even, although the home side created the better chances. Darlo passed the ball crisply and kept possession and were a little unlucky to go behind right on half time, when Martin Butler poked home at the far post. We looked livlier in the second half when sub Carlos Logan came on to worry the Walsall defence on the left. He and Joachim were pests but we were unable to force a breakthrough.
Match photos: Ted Blair/Northern Echo

After leaving the M1 and joining the M42, take the M6 until you exit at junction 9 (signposted Wednesbury) At roundabout take the A461 onto Bescot Road - (signposted Walsall). Continue forward onto Bescot Road A461. Entering Walsall. At traffic signals turn right onto Wallows Lane - A4148 (signposted Ring Road, Birmingham A34) At traffic signals turn right onto Bescot Crescent, signposted Bescot Stadium.
NB: M6 Roadworks from June 2006 to end of 2007: The M6 sliproad going south at junction 9 is closed there is no access southbound. Traffic will be diverted via junction 10 or in Walsall via junction 7. Highways Agency info
Parking: There is a car park at the ground (cost £3) and behind the away stand or some street parking off Wallows Lane and Fullbrook Lane.

There are services from Birmingham New Street to Bescot Stadium , which has its own station behind the away end - only a few minutes walk - it's oppose the ground and under the M6 fly-over, with the away entrance clearly sign-posted. Don't take trains to Walsall!
The journey time is around 20-25 minutes. Out: 13.27 (arr 13.47) and 13.57 (14.17). Return 17.03 (17.28) and 17.36 (17.59). Buy a cheap day return for £2.50. Local rail timetable plus local transport map

AAA Cars 01922 451111 ; Walsall Radio Cars 01922 644577 ; A1 Express Taxis 01922 622222; Z Cars 01922 633433 .
Darlington FC Supporters Club
Coach: 10am, £16. Contact: 01325 243911. See DFCSC website for more details.
Sugg trains - see above for travel between Birmingham and Bescot: (NB: Book early as Newcastle fans will be travelling to Villa Park) Darlington: 08.57 arr Birmingham New Street 11.39, return 18.03-arr 21.02. Fares: £24 advance return, £62.60 saver return.
London Euston: 09.20 arr 11.37, rtn 18.44-arr 19.26. Fares: Saver return £36.20 or £20 advance return.
Sheffield: 09.23 arr 10.39; Return: 18.03-arr 19.13. Fares: Saver return £29.50, £16 advance return.

The DAFTS recommendation is to try Birmingham instead and there are bound to be Harbo Darlo-related activities this weekend! Outside the Midlands - and possibly outside Walsall - not many know that the town's annual illuminations (from September) are second only to Blackpool's. Some would say they're not ruined by a smell of chips and vinegar and a stiff breeze off the North Sea either. Probably the landmark place to visit now is the new art gallery in Gallery Square in the town centre. On the edge of town, the Leather Museum Littleton Street West, Walsall WS2 8EQ Tel 01922 721153 is dedicated to the town's association with the leather and saddlers' trades. Walsall tourism office: 01922 650307. If staying over, there is a Ramada Encore hotel, right next to the stadium with parking. (£55-75 a room at weekends).

Real ale/Birmingham
There are also some good city centre pub suggestions on the Birmingham CAMRA site, with The Anchor Inn 308 Bradford St, corner of Rea St, Digbeth near the back end of the coach station, a great Irish real ale pub, with regular beer festivals and a small terrace outside for good weather. The pub is made up of small rooms and there is always a terrific ale selection. You can walk to it from New Street station in about 10-15 minutes, down past St Martin's church.
Best is probably a relatively new one though, The Wellington, 37 Bennett's Hill, off New Street. Almost at the top of the hill on the right (up from Barclays Bank on New Street - five to 10 minutes walk from station, take route left through shopping centre at top of escalators).
It has a vast choice of pumps, with three Black Country ales the "house beers" but there is a good choice (12 guests on and always changing) from around the country. The "Welly" doesn't do its own food but allows customers to bring in their own packed lunches or sandwiches from the many outlets nearby serving the usual office crowd - Pret A Manger is best in New Street. You pick the number of favoured beer off an electronic "scoreboard" before ordering, making the service even quicker. Can get smokey, but there is a non-smoking area. DAFTS recommended
The Old Joint Stock, a rare Fullers' pub in Brum at 4 Temple Row, opposite St Philip's cathedral A splendid looking (inside) converted bank, with a balcony. Plenty of room and they serve good grub. It's five minutes from the Wellington and about 10 minutes walk from New Street station.
A little further out, just south of the city centre, is the Lamp Tavern, 157 Barford Street, Highgate, a one-room pub in a back street off the A441 - not too far from Digbeth coach station. It has five real ales on, including Everards and Stanway, and a mild. For streetmap
The Bartons Arms (144 High Street, Aston) on the A34, five minutes from M6. Open from 12pm, food until 2.30pm and 5.30pm-10pm.
If you have time or are staying over - a fabulous looking "heritage" pub, restored to its Victorian splendour inside and out, with eight real ales, mostly Oakhams, with a huge and excellent Thai menu - available from 12 noon and again after 5.30pm. You can catch the No7 bus from the city centre, or the Nos 33, 34, 51, 52, 107, 113 also pass the pub, mostly going from Bull Street in the city centre. Laurel and Hardy and Chaplin were among artists who once stayed here when appearing at the now demolished Aston Hippodrome opposite. Limited parking. Birmingham CAMRA pub of the year 2004. DAFTS recommended. Click for street map
Near the ground
The King George V, Wallowes Lane
Opposite Morrison's supermarket, it gets busy on matchdays and is the only pub within walking distance of the stadium. While The Saddlers Club at the ground may let in a few away fans but gets packed early on.
Real ale/Walsall town
Should you decide to try Walsall town centre, it is about five minutes further on by train from Bescot. Here is a printable town centre map to help.
Victoria, 23 Lower Rushall Street, Walsall WS1 2AA
Good choice of real ale in small rooms. Not far from Walsall railway station but needs a taxi or train to the stadium.Click for streetmap
White Lion, 150 Sandwell Street, Walsall, WS3 3EQ.
Back street, sloping boozer on the road towards the ground. Real ales include a local mild. Click for streetmap
To eat: The ground also has a decent catering outlet - a large range of pies for £2 each plus Walsall FC's "own" mineral water, pasties and hot drinks.
DAFTS should be organising a Balti some time over the weekend, for those staying over.

Rail timetables Virgin Trains GNER National Express Walsall council Midlands Pubs
Express & Star Hotels/B&Bs Centro Transport

The websites include Up The Saddlers, we is the Rivals site. Also there's the Official site

Next away match:
Peterborough (Saturday September 9)

No responsibility is taken for accuracy, if in doubt check before travelling.