Walsall will play League Two football for the first time since they were promoted as champions in 2007 after a drab 0-0 draw at Shrewsbury Town.
It all seemed so promising for the Saddlers after they won four games out of their first five matches to sit fifth in the table at the end of September.
However, they ended the season in twenty-second place, three points from safety after a disastrous run of form in which they won just five league games from the end of October, a sequence which cost manager and club legend Dean Keates his job in April.
Interim manager Martin O’Connor proved unable to halt the slide winning only one of his five matches in charge.
The board were quick to issue an apology for relegation on the club’s official website in which they said: ‘Following confirmation of the club’s relegation to League Two, the Walsall FC Board of Directors would like to place on record our disappointment and apologise to all associated with the club, most importantly our supporters.’
Their words contrition did not impress and failed disastrously to make amends with many supporters, devastated and heartbroken by relegation.
Many fans soon took to social media to angrily question how the club had fallen from losing playoff semi-finalists in 2016 to relegation in 2019.
Plenty laid the blame firmly at the feet at the club’s board of directors, with owner Jeff Bonser and chief executive Stefan Gamble receiving the most criticism for their perceived role in the club’s failures.
The disconnect of fans with the club is clearly evident in the reaction, with the trust of the board seemingly at an extremely low ebb.
The statement is regarded as insincere and hollow by supporters with many concerned League One relegation might be a staging post on a depressing journey to the National League if things do not change.
Here is a selection of their responses to the statement on Twitter.
We don't want an apology, just get to work and put this right please. We could quite easily follow the likes of Notts County and Chesterfield into the National League if we're not careful. The next few weeks are absolutely massive. Make the right decisions and BACK the manager.
— Andrew Allen (@andy90wfc) May 5, 2019
Easy to sack the manager. Not sure how Gamble, Mole etc keep their jobs. Absolute shambles. How about they take responsibility for this disaster of a season?!
— Jack (@jjwfc) May 4, 2019
Just some PR rubbish. Someone has googled those hollow words. We need action – starting with a massive for sale sign you can see from the M6
— Browny⚽ (@saddler1982) May 4, 2019
BONSER OUT
— James (@James_Clarke29) May 4, 2019
Is Gamble going to resign???
— Dan (@DanG_WFC) May 4, 2019
We have a League 2 budget, now a League 2 club. What did you expect. Unless you invest in the team we will be in League 2 for a long time. Sad to be a saddler.
— Paul Sav Spark (@PaulSav70457468) May 5, 2019
You, the board, caused this. Don't patronise us with your 'sympathetic' statement. Leave our club and place us in the hands of competent owners who want to lead a successful FOOTBALL club, not a money making venue. Do one.
— Owain Williams (@owainwilliams90) May 4, 2019
5th to relegation is ridiculous.Back to league 1 next season is an absolute priority.
— Deacon365 (@deacon2112) May 4, 2019
Why doesn’t our “beloved” owner give us a rent free year to make up for the total shit this season?? That we we can put 500k into the team and manager. Bet we will still be asked to pay the same high prices for club merch and match day tickets though won’t we???
— KP (@K_2DaP) May 4, 2019
Deeply hurt!!!!? You have no idea. Not a single ounce of understanding how we feel. We are ignored and arrogantly pushed away and it takes this for you too acknowledge our frustrations? Utter shite the lot of you and you couldn’t run a friggin bath let alone OUR club.
— Richie Gray (@RicardoGravy) May 4, 2019
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