THEY have been described as the poor relations of West Midlands soccer.
But two wealthy backers of Walsall Football Club have appeared on a rich list of the game’s wealthiest 100 personalities.
Yet no-one from Carling Cup holders Birmingham City or Premier League clubs Albion and Wolves has made it into the chart, although Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is placed 18th, with a personal fortune of £630 million.
One of the Walsall FC tycoons is property developer Peter Gilman, ranked 86th with a fortune of £25 million.
He is joined by Black Country publishers the Graham family who are worth £70 million, placing them at 57th.
The rich list of players, shareholders and directors was revealed by top football magazine FourFourTwo.
While no current Blues figures make the line-up, former chairman David Sullivan, now at the helm of Championship high-fliers West Ham United, is listed in 25th place, with a reported £400 million in assets.
The appearance of the Saddlers’ pair is surprising considering fans’ apparent dissatisfaction and their frequent claims of a lack of boardroom investment in the club.
