Express & Star

Walsall FC's ramshackle ground was a field of dreams

Ramshackle, rusty, and not necessarily rainproof, for generations Fellows Park was the proud home of Walsall FC.

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An aerial view from 1975.

Oh, and three-sided too. Up into the 1960s one end was not of a stand or terraces, but taken up by Orgills laundry.

An aerial view from 1975.

Walsall was to be one of the clubs which led the way in leaving its traditional home and moving into a gleaming modern stadium.

But here's the thing. For all its faults, there are fans who remembered Fellows Park who were distinctly underwhelmed by its 1990s replacement, the Bescot Stadium.

There were illustrious and glorious times at Fellows Park, perhaps none more so than a famous victory against mighty Arsenal in the FA Cup Third Round on January 14, 1933, which stunned the football world and became part of Walsall folklore.

Walsall 2, Arsenal 0, since you ask. The club raised admission prices for the glamour tie from one shilling to two shillings with the result that a lot of fans stayed away. There were just over 11,000 in the ground which could have taken double that.

A copy of the Saddlers' News.

There were not so good times too. The shortcomings of The Saddlers' home were starkly underlined by a near tragic accident which saw 24 fans injured during a match against Liverpool in the second leg of the semi final of the Milk Cup on Tuesday, February 14, 1984.

It happened when Ronnie Whelan scored Liverpool's second goal and away fans packed on the terracing behind the Walsall goal surged forward, causing a brick wall to give way, with supporters falling forward onto the pitch.

Liverpool skipper Graeme Souness was memorably pictured carrying one fan from the pitch with a leg injury.

Graeme Souness carries an injured fan to safety after the near tragedy in 1984.