From our Twitter account we have made friends with Saddlers from across the world. Over the next few months we shall be finding out all about our Global Saddlers.
If you want to get involved contact Vital Walsall via twitter using #saddlersgoneglobal
In our latest interview we speak to Saddler – Matt Pitt from Maryville, Tennessee in the USA.
Name: Matt Pitt
Age Nearly 45
Current Location
Maryville, Tennessee. In the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains which is the most visited National Park in the US and about 15 miles from Knoxville.
Occupation Overseas
Production Supervisor for a company developing bio-fuels.
When did you start following WFC?
My first game was in the Division 4 promotion season of 1979-80. A 2-0 win against Rochdale as I recall. Before that, I was a keen follower of Manchester United and my first visit to a league ground was to see them play Wolves at Molineux in 1978.
What made you choose WFC?
Once I went to Fellows Park, that was it, I just fell in love with the place. Can’t describe it but there really was something magical about that ramshackle old ground, especially for a night game under the lights which I think the Rochdale game was. Also, I could get the ‘Football Special’ from the Mossley so my parents would let me go on my own.
If/When was your last match?
Funny that, I can remember 35 years ago but I can’t remember 3. I moved here in June 2010 so would have been towards the end of that season. Bristol Rovers maybe?
Best Walsall Memory?
There’s the obvious ones which are all special in their own way but I’m going to pick something more obscure.
It was that memorable 98-99 season when everything Ray Graydon touched just tuened to gold. The memory that sticks with me is the train journey back from Lincoln after another efficient 1-0 win with both Man City and Preston dropping points. It was then that the realisation hit home that we were going to do it. That journey back took about 4 hours with the changes but no-one cared, it was just a superb time to be a Saddler.
Have you influenced anyone to follow the Saddlers whilst overseas?
Not really, but I have a Mexican friend, Erick, who is football mad and I brought him a shirt over from my last visit home in 2011. For some reason though, he won’t give up following Barcelona in favour of the Saddlers. I am also involved in the American Youth Soccer Organisation (AYSO) and there are a couple of the coaches who ask me how they are doing.
What do you expect for the new season?
Going to be tough to replace the goals of Grigg, Pato and Brandy. However, the defence still seems solid and I believe the centre of midfield is a match for anyone in the division. Hope we can get a settled keeper and that the Chelsea guy lives up to expectations.
Your all time Walsall X1:
GK: Jimmy Walker
RB: Chris Marsh
LB: Zigor Aranalde
CB: Tony Barras
CB: Adrian Viveash (Captain)
RM: Jeff Peron
LM: Pedro Matias
CM: David Preece
CM: Martyn O’Connor
ATT: Andy Rammell
ATT: Alan Buckley
Subs: Clayton Ince, Neil Pointon, Scott Dann, Craig Shakespeare, Willie Naughton, David Kelly, Kyle Lightbourne
Here’s Matt enjoying a beer after work in local football themed Mexican restaurant, Soccer Taco.
Heres Matt with his daughter Madeleine at Panama City Beach, Florida
You can see the other installments here
Montreal
Dubai
Everyone at Vital Walsall wants to thank Matt for giving us the insight into his life
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