The crucial subjects of business improvement districts and sport were on the table when Westside BID attended the chairmans’ (there are two!) dinner at Walsall FC last month.
Mike Olley and Gerald Manton, who are respectively general manager and chair of Westside BID, enjoyed chatting to Dan Watson, the Saddlers’ goalkeeping coach.
Dan, who is from Walsall, played in goal for Derby County, Wolves, Luton Town and Kidderminster Harriers before his coaching career, which has since included spells at Port Vale, Carlisle United, Northampton and Cheltenham Town.
But away from football, Dan is coincidentally married to Sam Watson, chair of the Retail BID in Birmingham, and so the trio had plenty to discuss – both on and off the field.
Mike said: “Gez and I are both keen Walsall fans and so were delighted to meet and chat to Dan, who is tactically one of the best goalkeeping coaches in the football league.
“He’s also one of football’s unsung prophets! He gave us a really warm welcome and we chatted all about footy and BIDs – who would have thought it!”
Main picture: (from left) Gez Manton, Dan Watson and Mike Olley.
ENDS