By J Bateman
February 3 2003

Michael Ricketts £3.5 million move to Middlesborough is making all at The Bescot Stadium very happy.
An article from E & S said "Walsall have been rescued from their first financial deficit for 12 years, thanks to their FA Cup exploits and Michael Ricketts' transfer to Middlesbrough. Saddlers' windfall from Ricketts' move from Bolton to Teesside is reported to be up to £700,000".

While the club are still not saying what the percentage was, "sources in Lancashire suggest that the agreed figure was 20 per cent of any fee and, with Ricketts reported to have moved for £3.5m, Saddlers could be due twice the amount they received for the player in the first place".

"Manager Colin Lee refused to be drawn on how much cash, if any, he would be allowed to improve the playing squad, but was delighted the club would not end the season in debt. We were staring a deficit in the face and, thanks to the Cup run and the Ricketts transfer, that is one job done."

"The Ricketts deal only happened on Friday, but we are due quite a big percentage from the fee. It will be quite a few hundred thousand."

A big thank you to The Saddlers FC for the use of there story.