It only seems fair to begin this post on a certain 9th August back in 2003. Local rivals West Brom were our visitors as we looked to build on back to back seasons in the second tier of English football. Step forward Paul Merson - pulling the strings as we tore the Baggies apart with some sublime football, a couple of early contenders for goal of the season and, most importantly, a 4-1 win. Of course, the rest of the season didn't quite meet the standards set in that opening game, as we were relegated on the final day.
Twelve months later and Mr. Merson was at the heart of things once again - this time as manager. Port Vale were the visitors as we opened our campaign with a mixture of old heads and sprightly kids. Daryl Taylor and Leroy Williams stole the show whilst Matty Fryatt led the line and gave a hint of things to come as we won 3-2. The season panned out just as this match had - as a complete rollercoaster which saw us survive a flirt with relegation.
The start of the 2005/6 season saw us travel to Millmoor to face Rotherham. In blistering heat, an early Kris Taylor goal was cancelled out by a certain Martin Butler. Thankfully, a certain Jorge Leitao leapt like a salmon to nod home the winner deep into added time, sending the army of travelling Saddlers wild, not to mention full of optimism once again for the matches to follow. The season ended. We went down.
Our first match in League Two the following season was Richard Money's first competitive match in charge and with Saddlers fans intrigued as to what Dicky Dosh would offer, we travelled to Spotland to face Rochdale. Martin Butler scored our only goal, exactly Twelve months after being the pantomime villain at Millmoor, and we won 1-0. The match also saw a certain Mr. Allen Picken make a fine debut, yet he made just one more substitute appearance that season before disappearing without trace. The rest of the season went to plan, culminating in a special day at Swindon as we clinched the league title.
Our return to League One the following year saw us draw a tight affair at home to Carlisle. Kevin Gall's first half strike was cancelled out by veteran striker, Tommy Mooney. Whilst we spent the winter period with eyes on the playoffs, a couple of notable departures in the January transfer window saw us fade away and finish in mid-table.
2008/9 opened with a trip to Huish Park to face Yeovil. In an open terrace, the travelling army of Saddlers fans felt the force of a Somerset monsoon, getting a good soaking as a Jabo Ibhere goal ensured we returned with a point after a 1-1 draw. The season was neither a struggle nor impressive as we again finished in mid-table.
A Year on and Chris Hutchings' side went to Brighton on the opening day. We sneaked a 1-0 win thanks to an Andrew Whing own goal to kick off a season which saw us achieve a very respectable 10th place finish.
Looking back at last season, we were well and truly put in our place at home to MK Dons, who beat us 2-1. Few would disagree that we were dreadful for the majority of the campaign and but for Messrs Butler and Smith, may have been relegated long before the memorable day at St. Mary's.
So, looking ahead at Saturday's game, how will we fare? And where will we finish come May? Another rollercoaster season awaits us, I'm sure.