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Fans Focus Meeting Summary

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This evening the Saddlers had our annual Fans Focus Meeting at the Banks’s Stadium. Walsall CEO Stefan Gamble and Director Daniel Mole were in attendance to answer fans questions.

Club will hold meet the manager evening on Tuesday 24th July.

Stefan Gamble conceded that there was a possibility of relegation which lead to the dismissal of then manager Jon Whitney.

The Budget

The budget for this season was questioned and Gamble informed supporters that they will back Dean and have allowed him to bring in his own backroom team.

Gamble states it won’t be the biggest budget in League 1 but won’t be the smallest neither. ‘What the manager does with that budget is more important than the quantum’

All profits from other areas of the club go back into the managers budget. The club operate a break even policy.

If the club didn’t have facilities we do (I.e the M6 sign) then the budget would be smaller.

Funds are available for Keates to bring in another coach.

Gamble is happy that Dean Keates is using some of his budget to implement a scouting network at the club.

The Saddlers Club

The Saddlers Club are in financial difficulty and own money to most of their creditors including the club. There is a winding down process ongoing,  they stopped trading on 29th April.

Dean Keates

Stefan said the main reason on the appointment of Dean Keates was his achievements at Wrexham and not because of his association with the club.

Mole says having worked at the club as a player, Dean knows what the fans will demand from his players. Stefan Gamble says Dean Keates is a winner and wants to be successful.

Keates is looking to bring some former players to help with the academy

Season Tickets

Sales are edging towards last years figures. Gamble hopes to surpass last seasons figure.

Signings

Dan Mole says club have got five over the line (including Joe Edwards) and will be looking to add a couple more over next few weeks.

Gamble has said club are still able to bring in loan signings up to 31st August despite transfer window closing before season opener.

The Chairman

His passion for the club hasn’t waned. If someone came in with the finances and with the clubs best interests at heart he would listen to offers.

The Stadium

The stadium has undergone a facelift this summer with the new HomeServe advertising hoarding on the home stand. There’s hot water in all toilets, toilet painted. Club are looking to improve the bar areas and implement a fan zone outside the ground

The M6 sign is now 100% under clubs control. Gamble said it’s a great marketing tool to advertise games and events. The club have also wished England the best of luck recently on it.

The club can’t have standing as we have previously been in the Championship for three consecutive years. If/when legislation changes, club will give supporters a choice on safe standing.

Fans Focus Meeting ended at 20:00

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