Stories

He was the brains behind the biggest day in the club's history -  Walsall FC's play-off win in 2001 at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, which saw them promoted to the Championship.

Walsall FC's 2001 promotion-winners

Of course, we're talking about the man affectionately referred to by Saddlers' fans as 'Sir Ray'.

Now, in honour of his achievements for Walsall FC, former manager Ray Graydon joins Albion hero Tony 'Bomber'  Brown and the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and Frank Skinner on Birmingham's Broad Street Walk of Stars.

Broad Street

"It's like coming home, it's absolutely fantastic," says Graydon.

"It’s fantastic news and has really cheered me up as I recover from a recent operation.

“I was up against some legendary figures from the history of the club, so to win means an awful lot to me. Now people can walk all over me on Broad Street!"

WM's Chris Blakemore interviews 'Sir Ray'

BBC WM reporter and lifelong Saddlers fan Chris Blakemore, and Walsall deputy mayor Gary Clarke, were at the team's Banks's Stadium to present 62-year-old Graydon with his Walk star.

Seven decades

"Imagine how I felt as a Saddlers fan when the powers that be asked me to help with presenting the star to Sir Ray," says Chris.

"The man is a true Saddlers hero and before I worked in radio I was just a fan watching that promotion final in Cardiff and it was the greatest moment of my sporting life."

The award ceremony on Saturday October 17 before Walsall's Coca-Cola League One home match against Exeter also seemed to lift the team, who went on to win  3-0.

Nine Walsall legends spanning the last seven decades, including former manager and player Alan Buckley and former goalkeeper and BBC WM pundit Mick Kearns, went head-to-head in a public vote to decide who would be awarded with the star.

Ray Graydon - known as Sir Ray by fans

Lack of resources

Despite his considerable coaching experience, Graydon's appointment as successor at Walsall  to Jan Sorensen in May 1998 was his first taste of management.

And it did not take long for him to make an impact. Walsall were promoted as runners-up to Fulham in 1999.

Graydon earned a reputation for producing well-organised, disciplined sides, despite a lack of resources.

But the challenge of Division One proved too great, and Walsall were relegated the next season - although they were just three points from safety.

Extra-time

Undeterred, Graydon's side bounced straight back and confounded the bookies with a 3-2 win in the Division Two play-off final in extra-time against favourites Reading in May 2001.

 "It was like a minor miracle," adds Graydon.

"Going into extra-time I couldn't watch but the win was a culmination of a lot of hard work from everybody and it was quite emotional.

"I've since had so many people come up to me and say that it was the best day of their life.

Ray used to manage Leicester City

“I would like to thank all the supporters who voted for me. The club is still very close to my heart and I always keep an eye on its progress.”

Aston Villa

Graydon, a  league footballer for 18 years who amassed well over 400 appearances in various competitions, and scored more than 120 goals, won the public vote with over 800 votes cast in his support.

The talented forward also became an Aston Villa hero when he netted the winner in their 1-0 1975 League Cup win over Norwich City. He enjoyed his best playing years at Villa, helping them move from the old Division Three to Division One in three seasons in the mid '70s.

He also managed Bristol Rovers for two years.