By Vention Red
November 9 2003

An away point at Bradford seems to have brought a mixed reaction. Put it into context, we could have been at Layer Road. In fact, ten years ago we were.... The fact that we failed to gain 3 points at Valley Parade is not at all as bad as it seems. Things could be worse. A lot worse in fact. Instead of playing first division football at the excellent Pulse stadium / Valley Parade / Bradford and Bingley Stadium we could have been playing away at say… Layer Road.

Ten years ago this weekend guess where we were. You got it, playing at the aforementioned hell hole in a mid table division 3 clash. Just over 2700 people witnessed the Saddlers record a victory thanks to a Deen Peer goal. In such a short space of time how things have changed.

We now have a team assembled by Colin Lee boasting players of fantastic quality in Merson, Samways and Baird. We have a team with some honest battlers in Ritchie and Roper and some exciting youngsters coming through. Compare and contrast with Hibbitt’s side exactly a decade ago. The super Saddlers then consisted of Evran Wright, Rod McDonald, and Jason Lillis. Not forgetting a certain James Walker of course.

Obviously, there can be no comparison. We should now be basking in the glory of Colin Lee’s wonderful first division side. The times under Hibbitt were pretty desperate to say the least (still enjoyable though). Crowds of around 4000 were attending Bescot to watch such rubbish.

In a matter of a decade we have been transformed from a poor third division outfit to an established first division side due to the excellent work of Nicholl, Sorensen (I actually loved watching his side), Graydon and now Lee. In a matter of a decade we have replaced Evran Wright with Paul Merson, Dean Peer with Samways, Charlie Ntamark with Corica. In a matter of a decade we have built a good first division stadium, a good first division team……. Without going into financial difficulties.

These truly are exciting times to be a Saddlers fan.

An away point at Bradford…….not bad at all.