Scotland Under-19 Head Coach Ricky Sbragia has spoken to Saddlers.co.uk about his time with the club, and discussed the connection between the club and its supporters...The 58-year-old served as a robust central defender for almost two years between 1978 and 1980, during which time he appeared 84 times and played a major part in the promotion-winning campaign of 1979/80.
Speaking to Saddlers.co.uk, Ricky said: “It wasn’t exactly a return to familiar surroundings because the club played at Fellows Park during my days here. But it was nice to bring my team to an area that I remember well from my own playing days.
“I remember Walsall being a close-knit, friendly club that looked after you well. There was a bond between the players and the supporters liked to see players who went out there and gave their all for the cause.
“It was an eye-opener for me at first because I was a young lad who suddenly went from playing reserve team football at Birmingham City to being in the first-team at Walsall.
“I’d like to think that I adapted pretty quickly and that promotion-winning campaign was special, particularly as I played in virtually every game that season.
“I ended up leaving that summer and, in hindsight, maybe I should have hung around a bit longer, but you make these decisions for all the right reasons at the time."
You can read the full interview HERE.