Walsall F.C overview

Walsall F.C vs Harrogate Town AFC

INTRO:

Founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts F.C before changing their name to simply Walsall F.C in 1896, the West Midlands club have become a staple in the English Football pyramid reaching the heights Division 1 back in 1999/00 nowadays known as The Championship and since have yo-yoed between League One and Two since the formation of The Football League in 2004.

Walsall formerly played their football at Fellows Park before making the move in 1990 to the Bescot Stadium located a quarter of a mile away from their previous home. A ground which has had its fair share of ups and downs through the years, the highlight being the 2015/16 season where they went onto finish in 3rd and merely 1 point off automatic promotion.

The Saddlers have consistently competed in the lower divisions with a notable period spent in League One from 2007-2018 before being relegated where they have struggled to reclaim their third-tier status with mid-table finishes being a common theme.

Mat Sadler’s side have made a very promising start to their 2024/25 campaign comfortably taking up a position in the play-off spots and have apparitions of challenging for automatic promotion back to League One. With prominent firepower in the final third with the likes of Nathan Lowe and Jamille Matt forming an in-sync partnership this season with 12 goals between the pair, the Saddlers have made certainly their mark on League Two.

MANAGER:

Mat Sadler was appointed as interim manager of Walsall on the 19th April 2023 following the departure of Michael Flynn until the end of the 2022-23 season. Due to his promising start to life in the dugout for The Saddlers, the ex-Walsall man was appointed head coach of the club on a permanent basis in May 2023.

After a successful playing career as a defender, making over 400 appearances and spending most of his years with Birmingham City, Shrewsbury Town, and finally hanging up his boots with Walsall, Saddler’s transition into coaching was unconventional moving into a player/coach role before becoming first team coach two years later.

Since being at the helm for over a year now, fans are hopeful for a return to League One under his guidance. Sadler’s focus of building a side with a strong defensive foundation and nurturing young talent blend experience and ambition, factors which The Saddlers believe can get them back to the third tier of English Football.

3 KEY PLAYERS:

Nathan Lowe:

Exciting young forward Nathan Lowe has made an impressive start to life in a Walsall shirt after signing on a season-long loan deal from Stoke City in the summer. The 19-year-old came through the championship side’s academy and played 17 times before making the move to The Saddlers.

Having already netted 7 times in the league as well as having 3 assists to his name, Lowe has certainly been one to watch settling into League Two with ease. The striker also picked up the EFL Young Player of the Month award in October for scoring in victories over Grimsby Town and Carlisle United and notching a brace against the in-form Chesterfield.

His goals so far have made him a key element of the Walsall side who aspire for promotion to League One.

Taylor Allen:

Defender Taylor Allen joined Walsall on a free transfer from National League side Forest Green Rovers in 2022. Since then, the 24-year-old has cemented himself as The Saddlers’ left back with some standout performances this season most notably scoring the winner against Morecambe on the opening day, and has been lethal from the spot.

With 5 goal contributions from 14 games this season Allen has made his mark going forward and been a key attacking threat down the left flank for Walsall. Having extended his contract for another two years in the summer until 2026 with the West Midlands club, Allen has cemented his position as a regular starter for The Saddlers this season starting every league game.

Last season was the full back’s breakout season full the club earning himself a run of games under manager Mat Sadler in which Allen can kick on from in this campaign.

Jamie Jellis:

Jellis moved to the Bescot Stadium in January 2024 from National League North outfit Tamworth with the ambition of playing in the Football League. Having suffered an injury for his former club, Jellis was kept out of the side for his first season only making 2 league appearances. His debut coming in April in a 3-1 loss to Notts County.

Since returning from injury, Jellis has made a promising impression to the fans and boss Mat Sadler who has made the 23-year-old a regular starter this season in the Walsall midfield. With 4 goals to his name this season, his first coming in the EFL Cup against Exeter City in the 90th minute in which The Saddlers went to win on penalties, he’s been the heartbeat of the midfield and his sharp instinct in the final third have proved pivotal.