Saddlers unhappy over pitch invasion

Jan 20 2007 By Brian Halford, Birmingham Mail

WALSALL were quick to condemn spectators who encroached on the pitch during Monday night's televised fixture with Grimsby at Bescot.

The Saddlers' satisfaction at a big take-up of their kids-for-free offer was marred by a handful of youngsters leaving their seats at that end of the ground and racing on to the pitch.

It was mindless let's-get-our-fizzogs-onthe-goggle-box stuff, more sieve- headedness than menace.

But the football authorities take a dim view of any spectators getting on to the playing area. And Walsall were furious that the reputation of the majority of their supporters, of which they are rightly proud, was challenged by a silly sprinkling.

"We have CCTV footage and will ban these people for life when we identify them," said Saddlers chief executive Roy Whalley.

"We were pleased that so many youngsters took up the offer on Monday but were very disappointed by what happened near the end.

"We simply won't tolerate spectators on the pitch. Also, from that end of the ground, there was some obscene chanting.

"It's something we were unhappy about and won't tolerate."

Walsall were embarrassed as the minor pitch invasion was shown live on Sky.

Although it hardly constituted a riot, the incident went in the referee's report and will prompt a letter from the FA asking for the Saddlers' account of what went on.