1997–98 Walsall F.C. season
Walsall 1997–98 football season
The 1997–98 season was the 99th completed season in the history of Walsall Football Club , the clubs 78th season in the Football League and third consecutive season in the Football League Second Division . In addition to the league, Walsall also participated in the FA Cup , League Cup and Football League Trophy .[ 1] [ 2]
Season summary
The Saddlers finished in the top half of the Second Division in the previous two seasons under Chris Nicholl 's management, however, he quit in May 1997 citing family reasons. After Nicholl's departure, Walsall turned to former Denmark international Jan Sørensen who became Walsall's first, and to date only, ever manager from continental Europe.[ 2]
Sørensen attracted some exciting foreign talent to Walsall, bringing in former Ligue 1 top goalscorer Roger Boli and his compatriot Jean-François Péron , who quickly became fans' favourites.[ 2]
Whilst Walsall finished a lowly 19th in the Second Division, the club reached the fourth round of the League Cup, fourth round of the FA Cup and the Southern Area Final of the Football League Trophy, being just ten minutes away from a first ever appearance at Wembley Stadium .[ 2] [ 3]
However, despite the club's cup exploits, a poor finish in the league signalled the end of Sørensen's time at Walsall after just one season.[ 2]
Final league table
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Promotion or relegation
17
Luton Town
46
14
15
17
60
64
−4
57
18
Millwall
46
14
13
19
43
54
−11
55
19
Walsall
46
14
12
20
43
52
−9
54
20
Burnley
46
13
13
20
55
65
−10
52
21
Brentford (R)
46
11
17
18
50
71
−21
50
Relegation to the Third Division
Source: (R) Relegated
Results
Walsall's score comes first [ 5]
Legend
Date
Opponent
Venue
Result
Attendance
Scorers
9 August 1997
Chesterfield A
1–3
5,193
Platt
16 August 1997
Fulham H
1–1
4,418
Mountfield
23 August 1997
Gillingham A
1–2
5,083
Boli
30 August 1997
Southend United H
3–1
3,304
Boli (3)
2 September 1997
Northampton Town H
0–2
5,550
9 September 1997
Bristol Rovers A
0–2
6,225
13 September 1997
Preston North End A
0–0
9,092
20 September 1997
York City H
2–0
2,972
Boli , Hodge
27 September 1997
Plymouth Argyle A
1–2
6,207
Boli
4 October 1997
Carlisle United H
3–1
3,957
Boli (2), Watson
11 October 1997
Wrexham H
3–0
4,042
Boli , Hodge (pen), Watson
18 October 1997
Brentford A
0–3
4,874
21 October 1997
Wycombe Wanderers A
2–4
3,884
Viveash , Watson
25 October 1997
Bristol City H
0–0
4,618
1 November 1997
Burnley A
1–2
9,293
Viveash
4 November 1997
Grimsby Town H
0–0
2,599
8 November 1997
Watford H
0–0
5,077
22 November 1997
Luton Town A
1–0
4,726
Hodge
29 November 1997
Blackpool H
2–1
3,933
Watson , Boli
3 December 1997
Millwall A
1–0
4,647
Keates
13 December 1997
Bournemouth H
2–1
3,548
Boli , Hodge
19 December 1997
Oldham Athletic A
0–0
4,677
26 December 1997
Bristol Rovers H
0–1
6,634
28 December 1997
Northampton Town A
2–3
7,094
Porter , Hodge
10 January 1998
Chesterfield H
3–2
4,042
Reeves (own goal), Watson (2)
17 January 1998
Southend United A
1–0
3,310
Watson
31 January 1998
Preston North End H
1–1
5,377
Hodge (pen)
7 February 1998
York City A
0–1
2,959
14 February 1998
Carlisle United A
1–1
4,530
Hodge
21 February 1998
Plymouth Argyle H
0–1
4,612
24 February 1998
Brentford H
0–0
3,166
28 February 1998
Wrexham A
1–2
3,622
Ricketts
3 March 1998
Watford A
2–1
8,096
Tholot , Blake
7 March 1998
Burnley H
0–0
5,212
14 March 1998
Grimsby Town A
0–3
4,916
21 March 1998
Wigan Athletic H
1–0
3,169
Péron
28 March 1998
Luton Town H
2–3
3,922
Viveash , Tholot
31 March 1998
Gillingham H
1–0
3,117
Evans
4 April 1998
Blackpool A
0–1
4,451
7 April 1998
Fulham A
1–1
6,733
Boli
11 April 1998
Millwall H
2–0
3,307
Tholot , Hodge (pen)
14 April 1998
Bournemouth A
0–1
3,404
18 April 1998
Oldham Athletic H
0–0
3,562
21 April 1998
Wigan Athletic A
0–2
2,725
25 April 1998
Bristol City A
1–2
15,059
Tholot
2 May 1998
Wycombe Wanderers H
0–1
4,412
FA Cup
Round
Date
Opponent
Venue
Result
Attendance
Goalscorers
R1
15 November 1997
Lincoln United H
2–0
3,279
Watson , Boli
R2
6 December 1997
Macclesfield Town A
7–0
3,566
Boli (2, 1 pen), Hodge (2, 1 pen), Viveash , Porter (2)
R3
13 January 1998
Peterborough United A
2–0
12,809
Watson (2)
R4
24 January 1998
Manchester United A
1–5
54,669
Boli
League Cup
Round
Date
Opponent
Venue
Result
Attendance
Goalscorers
SR1
9 December 1997
Barnet A
2–1
754
Blake , Boli
SR2
6 January 1998
Brighton & Hove Albion H
5–0
2,562
Watson , Boli (2), Keates , Allan (own goal)
SQF
28 January 1998
Bristol Rovers A
1–0 (a.e.t. )
4,165
Boli
SSF
17 February 1998
Peterborough United A
2–1
4,199
Boli , Ricketts
Southern F 1st Leg
10 March 1998
Bournemouth H
0–2
6,017
Southern F 2nd Leg
17 March 1998
Bournemouth A
3–2 (lost 3–4 on agg)
8,972
Thomas, Boli , Tholot
Squad
[ 6] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
References
National teams
League competitions
Level 1 Levels 2–4 Level 5 Levels 6–7 Levels 8–9
Isthmian League (Two , Three Combined Counties League (level 8 only )Eastern Counties League (Premier , One Essex Senior League (level 8 only )Hellenic League (Premier , One Kent League (level 8 only )Midland Alliance (level 8 only )Midland Football Combination (level 9 only )North West Counties League (One , Two Northern Counties East League (Premier , One Northern League (One , Two Spartan South Midlands League (Premier North , Premier South Senior Sussex County League (One , Two United Counties League (Premier , One Wessex League (level 8 only )West Midlands (Regional) League (level 9 only )Western League (Premier , One
Cup competitions
FA cups Football League cups
European competitions
