OTD in 1961, Walsall reached the zenith of their league history. After 8 games they were second behind Liverpool in the 'Championship' and heading for the First Division (Premier League). In an alternative reality, it is surely Walsall who are the six-time European champions. 😀

This book brilliantly covers the career of legendary Walsall FC player and former record goal scorer Tony Richards. It focuses on the period in the early 1960s when previously perennial joke club Walsall gained double promotions up to Division Two.

On This Day in 1960, Walsall beat Hull 1-0 with a goal of the season contender – as Walsall's first-ever Supporters' Player of the Season finished off a move begun by Colin Taylor's '50 yards' pass:

OTD 1959: Sporting Star salutes WFC 'pure skill & well-blended team work' recalling when 'points and goals were hard to come by & frustrated supporters yearned in vain for signs of the technical skill & understanding that can transform 11 individuals into a well-knit unit.' Hmm.

Today marks 70 years since England were destroyed at Wembley 3v6 by Hungary. This match has always been seen as a watershed in the history of English football. The match, its interpretation and aftermath are all covered in England's Calamity. @Pit

23/12: OTD in 1960: Walsall collect their first ‘trophy’ of the season when Tony Richards shares the Sporting Record’s ‘Performance of the Week’ award with Olympic long jumper John Howell. Walsall FC Vital Walsall

Great performance and result yesterday. Say Goodbye To Hollywood. skysports.com/watch/video/sp…

Zlatan Ibrahimovic must be the most under-rated player of all time. Never seems to make any Top 50 player lists (and rarely any Top 100's). Could Cruyff and the like have scored a goal like this? (The answer is No). 😀 youtube.com/watch?v=AJMtD1…

Tony Richards, Walsall #WFC #Walsall #Saddlers

For those #WalsallFC #Saddlers who have recently asked, the book is now back in stock at the Walsall FC club shop. See link below: walsallfcstore.co.uk/product/walsal…

𝗕𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱, 𝗕𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱

OTD in 1961: Gilbert Alsop joins the standing ovation for Tony Richards as he passes Gilbert’s goals record. Alan Buckley eventually beats the overall total, but Richards remains the Saddlers record league goal scorer & Alsop holds the single season league record (39). 📷

With the WFC 2024 Player of the Season voting in full flow, here’s a look back to the inaugural award in 1961. Tony Richards won the first Player of the Season trophy, with Ken Hill in second & Albert McPherson in third. The Supporters Club enthused about the positive response.

Say what you like about the northern lights, they’re no Walsall Illuminations.

May 15th: On this day in 1967, the Nuneaton Evening Tribune reported ex-Walsall striker Tony Richards’ 54th goal of the season for Nuneaton Borough. He should still have been smashing in the goals at Fellows Park. Nuneaton Borough FC

Sixty-three years after his Grandad wins Walsall FC's first-ever Player of the Season trophy, Oli Hayward sweeps the board in the Chasetown FC Player of the Season awards. ol Chasetown FC

🚨 Turnstiles Issue 7 🚨 Make sure you don’t miss your chance at grabbing a copy of our latest Issue. 72 pages of ace football content including Bobby Charlton, Groundhopping & much more Now available for Preorder via ⬇️⬇️ turnstilesmagazine.bigcartel.com

The latest edition of 'Turnstiles' magazine features Walsall's successful team of the 1960's – including Albert McPherson, Granville Palin, Ken Hodgkisson, Tony Richards and Colin Taylor. A little-known player called Bobby Charlton also gets a mention.

September 27th – OTD in 2003: The 'Sporting Star' looks back on the career of Tony Richards and his 1998 Greatest Player award.