Fans to tune in for Saddlers TV

By rushallsaddler
June 10 2003

Walsall have unveiled plans for their own television show to entertain fans before and after matches at Bescot next season. Saddlers have also announced that Sony Playstations will be introduced to the stadium concourses next season to keep youngsters entertained.

Both moves are part of the club's plans to get more fans to Bescot early ahead of games.

Officials want to make sure that fans who have not bought tickets in advance arrive in good time to avoid last-minute queues at the ticket office.

"We have signed up with a company called New Media and next season we will launch Saddlers TV," said chief executive Roy Whalley.

"There will be television screens in the concourse area of the Purple Stand and in all the hospitality areas.

"From 1pm there will be a 25-minute Saddlers TV show, which will be a commercial programme featuring goal highlights and interviews with players and the manager.

"It will show continuously from 1pm until the match starts, and it will then show the match as it happens and there will be a results service afterwards.

"We have also done a deal with Sony, whereby we'll be fixing four Playstations in the Purple Stand area and children will be able to play on them free of charge before the game.

"It means the parents will be able to have a drink while the children play on the computers."

The club's reduced ticket prices mean savings of up to £3 if tickets are bought before matchdays.

But the club wants to make sure that fans who do wait until the day of the game get to the ground early.

"We want to get to a situation where more people are buying tickets in advance," said Whalley.

"It's important that people buy ahead of the game because we'll be all-seater next season and there will be no cash turnstiles.

"The ticket office at Bescot will be open after home games so fans can buy their tickets for the next match, and we will try to be as helpful as possible.

"We have a number of initiatives designed to encourage fans to get to games earlier."