Football Musings

By Neil Ravenscroft
September 19 2002

As a means of relaxation from the stresses and strains of following the Saddlers, I thought I could have a look at some general football issues occasionally. I’d be glad of your reactions to see if it’s worth continuing.

As a starter, I thought I’d look at the issue of player power, as, just when you thought the world was turning into a sane place, with the news of Leicester winning their appeal over the Dennis Wise issue, along come Watford. Every right minded football fan in the country was probably shocked by the original FA decision to over rule Leicester’s sacking of Dennis Wise and, probably, equally glad that common sense prevailed yesterday when the club’s appeal was upheld. Certainly I, as a Walsall fan, was delighted with the prospect of not seeing his presence at Bescot Stadium this season. Wise has never been a favourite of mine, not just for his antics off the field, culminating in the assault on Callum Davidson, but also for his equally terrible performances on it. It is quite obvious that he went to Leicester last season just for one last pay day and the club suffered in him only playing some 16 games in the season. It is widely rumoured that he was on something in the region of 16,000 per week and he has contributed in no small way to their current financial plight. Not content with that, he then tries to get a half million pound settlement out of the club following his suspension. Contrast this with Fitzroy Simpson, Dean Keates and the “Leicester Two”, who have realised that the football world has changed and were willing to play without pay, in the hope of earning new contracts (sign him up, please!). But, I hear you say, why talk about this on a Walsall site? Well, it looks like we might get an unwelcome visit from the over aggressive little cockney after all, as Watford are offering him a chance to play without pay for them. Question is, on his record so far, do you think he’ll take it?