Source: Team_Talk
Saddlers supremo hails solid year
The Saddlers have enjoyed a stable 12 months on the pitch. They started the year with a potential relegation battle on their hands before going on to finish 13th and they end 2009 in 10th position - seven points off the top six.[LNB]Off the pitch there have been changes with Chris Hutchings replacing Jimmy Mullen while Martin O'Connor returned as assistant manager. Well respected head of youth Mick Halsall also departed to be replaced by another former Saddler in Dean Smith.[LNB]The club's new training base at Broad Lane has gone from strength-to-strength while the League One outfit announced another trading profit in a tough economic climate, although they also reported a significant drop in income.[LNB]As a testing but equally exciting 2010 approaches, Whalley told the club's official website: "In all honesty it has probably not been one of the most dramatic years in our history. But it has been a time of consolidation, when decisions and actions that have been taken will hold the club in good stead for the future.[LNB]"We've had some ups and downs but, on the whole, the club leaves 2009 in decent shape and looking capable of providing supporters with plenty of entertainment and playing success in 2010."[LNB][LNB]
