Nicholl starts the Saddlers revolution

By Alan Stokes
May 12 2003

September 1994. This was the start of the transformation from third division nobodies into an established first division side. Chris Nicholl replaced Hibbitt. Without doubt Nicholl was one of the best managers ever to reign over Walsall FC.

September 1994. This was one of the most important times in recent Walsall FC history. This was the turning point in developing from a poor third division team into one that has established itself in the first division. It was September 1994 that a certain Chris Nicholl breezed into Bescot replacing Kenny Hibbitt uttering the famous words “I want promotion”.
After 5 years languishing in the bottom league Chris Nicholl was a breath of fresh air. Tough, uncompromising, he left the players at his disposal in no doubt as to what he wanted to achieve. If they didn’t want promotion, they knew where the door was. The message was clear.

After having started the season in unspectacular fashion Chris Nicholl took the club, players and supporters by the scruff of the neck. His first league game in charge resulted in a 2-1 home victory against Gillingham with Kevin Wilson and Stuart Ryder scoring the goals. This was immediately followed up with a 2-1 victory at Deepdale with a certain Martin O’Connor and Chris Marsh netting for the Saddlers. Such great names, such a great team. Up front we had the deadly duo of Kevin Wilson (still one of the most skilful players to wear a Saddlers shirt in my opinion) and Kyle Lightbourne who between them logged an excellent 39 goals. The whole team was co-ordinated by O’Connor (10 goals) in the middle of the park and the pace and creativity was supplied by wing wizard Scott Houghton. At the back we had Chris Marsh, Watkiss and unsung hero Palmer. Other players of note include Ntamark, Rogers, Gibson, Ryder and Trevor Wood in goal.

As the months progressed, so the Saddlers chances of promotion increased with consistent performances, goals galore and fantastic entertainment for the fans. Along the way there were of course disappointments. None more so than the 3-1 humiliation at home against Chesterfield. Certain sections of the Bescot faithful (myself included) believed that was as far as the Saddlers promotion bandwagon would go.

Chris Nicholl had other ideas. He would march his players into the middle of the pitch at places like Doncaster and Exeter and say “Look around at this place because you won’t be here next year”. His determination and belief was unwavering. He took no prisoners in his ferocious approach to football management and didn’t particularly care whether or not people agreed with his methods. He upset certain sections of the fans over the Stuart Watkiss incident when he claimed that if he had his own way he wouldn’t pay injured players. His radio phone-ins also made for excellent listening. He once told a Saddlers supporter on the radio “You don’t know what you’re talking about” when the supporter claimed Walsall were at a loss at throw-ins (some things never change then). Similarly he berated a Bury fan who believed that Bury were the better football team. His reply was similar to one of Cloughies famous there is no grass in the sky outbursts.

The tension as the season grew to a close was unbearable. April saw victories over Colchester, Exeter and Doncaster before the wheels wobbled with a desperate 1-0 reverse at Springfield Park. This was one of the most diabolical showings that I can remember and again I believed it was all going pear shaped. The next game did nothing to lift the gloom and doom with a 0-0 home draw against Rochdale.

Nicholl then dusted the team down for one final push. Three successive victories against Barnet, Wigan and Scunthorpe meant that we were within touching distance of automatic promotion with 2 games to go. The tension was now unbearable. Three teams (Chesterfield, ourselves and Bury) were battling it out for the second automatic promotion spot behind Champions Carlisle. Whilst Walsall were away at Scarboro’ we needed Carlisle to do us a big favour by beating Chesterfield. They did so and Walsall kept their side of the bargain by despatching Scarboro 2-1. It all came down to the very last match.

And so, May the 4th finally came. Destination Gigg Lane. All we needed was a single point to secure promotion, to secure Chris Nicholl’s dream. Hordes of Saddlers fans packed the away terrace, the beach balls, the noise, the huge Saddlers flag being passed over the terrace, the stomach churning tension, it was all too much as I burst into tears before the match started.
We had a stand in keeper for the injured Wood called James Walker, Martin O’Connor was stretchered off as Bury bombarded the Saddlers goal. Somehow, the Saddlers fought and fought and defended the Bury onslaught with every ounce of energy. The ballboy incident, the belief that Bury were going to knick a goal made this one of the most tension filled nights of my entire life. Injury time lasted what seemed like an eternity before finally, at last, the referee blew up. Walsall were promoted to division 2 amidst joyous scenes. The revolution had begun.

Amazingly, all of this was achieved by manager Nicholl without buying or selling any member of the faltering squad he inherited. Without doubt Nicholl was one of the greatest ever managers of Walsall Football Club. This was the beginning of our transformation from third division nobodies into an established first division outfit.

During this growth (which took only 8 years – a relatively small time in footballing history) two things remained constant at the club. Mr Bonser and Mr Whalley. Both of these people have played their part in the Saddlers development.

Thank you Chris Nicholl. You will remain forever etched in Walsall folklore history.