By Neil Ravenscroft
May 7 2003

Following the scandal of the discovery of the "Walsall Youth" website last week, highlighting the behaviour of a small minority of "supporters" a group of concerned fans have decided to take action. Dave Hawkes, replying to the story last week, brought to everyone’s attention the steps taken by Burnley supporters to try to eradicate the problem of anti social behaviour, by asking supporters to sign a pledge.
Phil Burton (philthesaddler) has put together a web site with a similar theme for Walsall fans (www.supportthesaddlers.tk).

On it, all supporters are asked to sign four pledges as follows: -

I AM A SUPPORTER OF WALSALL F.C
I WILL NOT BEHAVE IN A VIOLENT OR DISRUPTIVE WAY AT GAMES
I WILL NOT USE RACIST WORDS OR BEHAVIOR AT ANY TIMES
I WILL SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE THE TEAM AT ALL TIMES
The web site has more details on each of these pledges.

Several fans who have been expressing an interest in this matter will be getting together in the near future to look at the tactics of how this campaign can be launched, it's main objectives and where we want it to go in the future.
TheSaddlersFC will be keeping you informed on developments, as the site wants to play its full part, as do other web sites, including Dave Hawkes'.

If we can sort out the issues and get some momentum, we will also approach the club to ask them to lend the same sort of support Burnley have with their scheme and look for a "big" launch at the Villa pre season friendly.

Although this is only a small step, I would ask all Saddlers fans to sign up for the pledge and help make Bescot a better place to watch football.