Argentina - Foreign Legion

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Name - Walter Otta
Position - Striker
Appearances - 11
Goals - 4
Period - Nov 1998-Dec 1998

Water Otta joined the Saddlers when they were flying high in the Second Division. The club were the seasons suprise package, but were not expected to last the pace. The team relied heavily on Andy Rammell for goals, a burden he could not carry for the whole season.

Paul Taylor managed to pull a few strings and we signed the unknown Argentinean in November 1998. He made his debut in the 3-0 victory over Milwall as a substitute.

His second game saw him used as a second half sub when the team were 1-0 down at home to Lincoln. He helped inspire the Saddlers to a 2-1 victory, netting the last minute winner himself.

He soon became a firm favourite with the fans. He was nippy, yet elegant on the ball. A typical South American center forward. He gave our forward line a different dimension, complementing the hustle and bustle of Andy Rammell.

He then established himself as the regular partner for Andy Rammell for next 9 games. He settled in to the English game well, going on to net goals against Macclesfield, Bristol Rovers, and Oldham.

His final game for the club came in late December when we lost 2-0 to Wigan. Stories at the time suggested he was finding it difficult to settle in England, so he returned to Spain to play for Xerex in the Spanish Second Division.

We went on to win promotion with a series of on-loan strikers such as Rob Steiner and Colin Cramb partnering Andy Rammell upfront. Could Walter have sustained his goal scoring run in the first team? Could we have helped him settle in more? Who knows. But one thing is for sure, Walter Otta will always be remembered fondly by Walsall fans.

In 2001 he decided up sticks and move to Bolivia where he represented Blooming, scoring 15 goals during his stay. He then moved back Europe where he spent the season in Portugal playing for Madeira FC, scoring 11 goals.

At this moment in time (03/04) he is back in South America playing for Athletic Universad of Peru. Read more about Walter Otta on AllSoccer.US the management company that helped set his and Gino Padula's moves to Walsall up.

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Name - Gino Padula
Position - Left Back / Left Wing
Appearances - 27
Goals - 0
Period - Nov 1999 - May 2000

It took Walsall fans just 10 minutes to find out that Gino Padula was something special . His short 10 minute appearance against Port Vale in November 99 was extremely impressive.

He had been signed to bolster our options on the left flank. The Saddlers were now a first division club and needed a much stronger squad. Padula took no time in dislodging club Captain Neil Pointon from the left back slot and making it his own. He could play as a full back and a winger, which made him a valuable asset to our small squad.

After just two substitute appearances against Port Vale and QPR Ray Graydon had seen enough to include him in the starting eleven against Huddersfield Town. He became one of the squads most consistent performers, and his silky skills endeared him to the crowd.

Despite only joining us in November he still went on to win the Player of the Year award. However, it was a bad year for the Saddlers who were relegated from Division 1.

Re-signing him was always going to be a tough task. Attempts were made to sign him again. He was invited back. He never turned up. He did turn up eventually, but not in Walsall. He signed for Wigan who were a a bigger club who could offer more money.

He had a tough time at the JJB, and failed to make any kind of impact. In July 2002 he was released, and signed for QPR. He has since recaptured the form that made him such a favourite at Walsall. Click here to see Padulas qprnet.com profile. 

Walsall Fans rated Padula so highly that he often makes their All Time XIs. He was voted in to TheSaddlersFC Legends XI squad in the Summer of 2003.