Bescot boo-boys play part in Bedeau exit

Jun 13 2007 By Brian Halford, Birmingham Mail

RICHARD Money has revealed that Walsall supporters had an impact on his decision to put Tony Bedeau on the transfer list.

Former Torquay United winger Bedeau will be freed from the second year of his contract at Bescot if he can find himself another club.

He did not shine last season, never managing to nail down a first-team place after being hampered by injuries for his first few months after joining.

It's fair to say he never won over Walsall's fans. And their attitude towards Bedeau - and their likely attitude towards him if he remains at the club next season - was a factor in the decision to transfer-list him, according to Money.

"I think the public made it perfectly clear that they don't rate Tony," Money said. "So for his benefit more than anything else we are going to let him go and prove himself somewhere else.

"I have no doubts in mind that, wherever he plays next year, he will be a success. And I think he could be a success here.

"Unfortunately, the supporters don't want him so we are going to release him because it would be very difficult for him next year at this football club."

Whether Bedeau can find another club remains to be seen, although sources in Devon suggests that Torquay, where former Saddlers manager Colin Lee is now chief executive, might be interested in taking him back.

If the 28-year-old is still on board at Bescot in August, he will still be part of the first-team equation, insists Money.

"While we are paying Tony's wages why would I want to put in in the freeze-box?" the manager said. "We put him on the transfer list because I have a great deal of empathy for him."