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Walsall Fans And Former Players Pay Their Respects To Barrie Blower

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It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Walsall President Barrie Blower MBE.

We as fans owe everything to Barrie – without him there would be no Walsall Football Club as we know it today.

In the 1980’s Barrie fought to keep the Saddlers in the town of Walsall on two occasions. First he fended off Wolverhampton Wanderers and then Birmingham City – had Barrie not led the fight against the rogue chairmen we would have found ourselves without a club in the town or even worse no club at all.

Barrie spearheaded SWAG (Save Walsall Action Group) and made it his sole priority to keep the Saddlers in the town and later to ensure that Walsall Football Club didn’t go out of business.

He was instrumental in convincing the council that a move from a derelict Fellows Park to Bescot Stadium was the right thing to do in 1990.

Its not only the football side of the town which owes their gratitude to Barrie but the people from run down areas of Walsall. He founded the Caldmore Housing Association and purchased derelict buildings and made them into better homes for the residents of the borough. He also fought for the “underdogs” often winning battles with councillors and government officials on issues for the homeless, the unemployed, single mothers, battered wives and immigrants that were facing discrimination.

Barrie was a man of the people.

We as a Walsall fans site would like to send our condolences to his daughter Sadie, son in law Adam and grandson Connor aswell as all of Barrie’s family and friends.

Barrie Blower you will forever live on in the memories of all Walsall fans and your dedication to us as supporters will never be forgotten.

Saddlers fans and former players have today paid their tributes to Barrie via our Social Media channels.

Walsall have today confirmed that a minutes applause will take place before our League 1 game with Fleetwood Town on Saturday 9th March.

Barrie, we thank you from the bottom of heart for everything you have done for the club and the town, may you rest in peace.

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