By Chris Wright
Walsall fan Jason Bailey, his dad’s false teeth, and the cabinet he keeps them in
Because football is chock-full of nutters, Walsall fan Jason Bailey is planning, as he always does, to take his late father’s ‘lucky’ false teeth along with him to the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final this weekend.
The teeth have been in Jason’s pocket for every round of the tournament so far and he’s hoping, as they’re obviously imbued with magical powers, that they’ll prove to be just as effective against Bristol City at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
With his father sadly passing away in 1999, Jason was first convinced that his old man’s gnashers were blessed after he first called upon them during the 2001 Division Two play-off final against Reading.
“We were losing 2-1 and I took the teeth out of my pocket, spoke to my dad for some inspiration for the team, gave the teeth a kiss and a hug, said a little prayer and we came back from losing 2-1 and won the match 3-2,” he told the Mirror.
“It’s sort of like a lucky emblem and all the big, important games I’ve started taking the teeth with me.”
Come Sunday, The Saddlers will be playing at Wembley for the very first time in their 127-year history, and Jason is hoping that his dad’s teeth will do the business on the big stage once again.
“He was a big practical joker, he was always playing jokes with his false teeth, dropping them into pints and various pranks,” he continued.
“They always brought happy memories for me so me and the teeth will be having another little journey, off to Wembley to see the final.”
He also added that he’s planning to take the false teeth to Wembley wrapped up in his dad’s favourite handkerchief and, if things aren’t going Walsall’s way and needs must, he is also willing to kiss them for good luck.
Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, for hygiene’s sake.
(Image: South West News Service)