21st June 2005

Walsall will help local side Sporting Khalsa celebrate becoming the first semi-professional Asian club in the country to own their own ground.

Sporting Khalsa have been promoted to Division One of the West Midlands Regional League for the 2005/06 season.

The club have bought the lease to Abbey Park, previously the home of Bloxwich Town who have now folded.

A Saddlers XI will visit on Friday, 15 July for a game also being backed by the "Kick It Out" anti-racism campaign.

"We were more than happy to offer our support," Walsall first team coach Mick Halsall told his club's website.

"This is an important event, not only in local non-League circles but nationally as well, and I am expecting a tough test for our boys."