Later today Walsall Football Club will make history as they walk out under the arch at Wembley Stadium for the first time in the club's 127 history, to take on Bristol City in the Final of this season's Johnstone's Paint Trophy competition.
The Saddlers' JPT campaign began with a First Round bye, allowing Smith's men some much needed space between games.
In the Second Round, Walsall were drawn away to Rochdale, the match which was played in front of just 1,156 fans, ended 1-0 to Walsall, summer signing Mathieu Manset grabbing the all important goal mid-way through the first half.
As we reached the Third Round, Walsall were handed the task of taking on Sheffield United, a side that as this season's FA Cup escapades prove, can be tough opposition in a one-off encounter.
The Saddlers defeated the Blades by one-goal to nil, attacker Romaine Sawyers notching the game's only goal after fifty-five minutes, during a forgettable mid-week match.
The Area Semi-Final was a somewhat more entertaining affair, The Saddlers, who had been drawn away to Sky Bet League 2 side Tranmere Rovers, came from two goals behind to take the tie into a penalty shoot-out, Anthony Forde and Michael Cain scoring in the second half to cancel out Max Power and Kayode Odejayi's first half strikes.
After a tense penalty shoot-out Walsall vice-Captain Paul Downing scored the winning sudden death spot kick after Richard O'Donnell had saved from former Saddlers' loanee Marc Laird.
The Saddlers were paired with fellow Sky Bet League 1 outfit Preston North End for the Northern Area Final, the winner of the two legged affair set to take on either Bristol City or Gillingham in the competitions final.
As the game reached the 80 minute mark it seemed as the tie was heading for a draw, however the Saddlers struck twice late on to give them an advantage heading into the Second Leg.
First, former Wolves winger Anthony Forde dispatched a 25-yard free-kick into the far corner of the net, and then Tom Bradshaw cashed in on a poor back-pass to expertly slide the ball through goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann's legs with two minutes remaining on the clock.
On Tuesday, 27th January the Saddlers hosted Preston in the Second Leg, this match was, it's fair to say, a rather poor encounter, at least from a Saddlers' viewpoint, the Reds had to hold on at times.
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake hit the bar, and Paul Downing cleared off the line, this, along with four top-notch saves from Richard O'Donnell gave Saddlers fans much to worry about.
Despite the pressure from the visitors, Walsall held firm and even created chances of their own in the second half, Tom Bradshaw stabbed just wide as Walsall twice went close within five minutes of the restart.
Anthony Forde's shot was parried over by Stuckmann, who then saved again when Romaine Sawyers met Andy Taylor's low cross from close range. Full-back Taylor then fired over the bar before top scorer Bradshaw blazed a diving header too high.
The match, which was played in front of over ten-thousand at Banks's Stadium, ended 0-0 which saw Smith's side through to the final 2-0 on aggregate.
Walsall are set to make history later this afternoon when Dean Smith leads them out at Wembley Stadium for the first time in the clubs 127 year history, a feat that can not be overplayed, and is sure to be spoken of for years to come...
On Tuesday, 27th January the Saddlers hosted Preston in the Second Leg, this match was, it's fair to say, a rather poor encounter, at least from a Saddlers' viewpoint, the Reds had to hold on at times.
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake hit the bar, and Paul Downing cleared off the line, this, along with four top-notch saves from Richard O'Donnell gave Saddlers fans much to worry about.
Despite the pressure from the visitors, Walsall held firm and even created chances of their own in the second half, Tom Bradshaw stabbed just wide as Walsall twice went close within five minutes of the restart.
Anthony Forde's shot was parried over by Stuckmann, who then saved again when Romaine Sawyers met Andy Taylor's low cross from close range. Full-back Taylor then fired over the bar before top scorer Bradshaw blazed a diving header too high.
The match, which was played in front of over ten-thousand at Banks's Stadium, ended 0-0 which saw Smith's side through to the final 2-0 on aggregate.
Walsall are set to make history later this afternoon when Dean Smith leads them out at Wembley Stadium for the first time in the clubs 127 year history, a feat that can not be overplayed, and is sure to be spoken of for years to come...