Walsall Football Club is a professional association football club based in the town of Walsall, West Midlands, England. The team competes in , the fourth level of the English football league system.

The club's nickname, "The Saddlers", reflects Walsall's status as a traditional centre for saddle manufacture. Walsall moved into the Bescot Stadium in 1990, having previously played at nearby Fellows Park for almost a century. The team play in a red, black and white kit, resembling the Black Country flag. Their club crest features a swift. They hold rivalries with nearby Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion, as well as farther away but more regularly contested rivalries with Shrewsbury Town and Port Vale.

The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town and Walsall Swifts. The club moved to the Football Alliance from the Midland Association the following year, before being invited to help found the Football League Second Division in 1892. They returned briefly to the Football League from 1896 to 1900, before spending two decades outside the Football League, primarily in the Birmingham & District League.

Invited to help form the Football League Third Division North in 1921, Walsall remained in the third tier for 37 years. In 1932, they held a friendly with F.C. Barcelona at Villa Park, winning 2-0 and becoming the first English team to beat the Blaugrana, in front of an attendance of 46,793. In 1958 they became a founder member of the Fourth Division, winning that Division in 1959–60, and securing promotion out of the Third Division the following season. At the end of the 1987-88 campaign, they won promotion into the Second Division for the first time, but were soon relegated back to the Fourth Division. Starting in 1998–99, they spent four of the next five seasons in the second tier. Two relegations in three years left them back in the fourth tier in 2006, but they secured an immediate promotion as 2006–07 League Two champions.

Their first match at Wembley Stadium came in the 2015 Football League Trophy Final, which they lost to Bristol City. In 2016 they missed out on promotion to the Championship by a single point, and lost the resulting playoff semi-final against Barnsley. The Saddlers ended an 11-year stay in League One with relegation in 2019. Walsall then played at Wembley again in 2025, losing 1–0 to AFC Wimbledon in the 2025 League Two play-off final.

History

Formation and early years (1888–1939)

thumb|right|300px|The Walsall team pictured in 1893

Walsall were formed as Walsall Town Swifts F.C. in 1888 when Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. amalgamated. Walsall Town had been founded in 1874 as Walsall Football Club and Walsall Swifties in 1875 as Victoria Swifts. Both clubs had played at the Chuckery, since April 1881 when Walsall Swifties had lost their old ground on Follyhouse Lane where they had played during 1877-1881 and the newly formed club remained at the same ground. Walsall Town Swifts' first match was a 0–0 draw against Aston Villa in the Birmingham Charity Cup final on 9 April 1888. A disagreement over the venue of the replay meant Aston Villa were awarded the trophy.

Later that year, Walsall Town Swifts played friendly matches against two founder members of the Football League; a strong Burnley side were beaten 1–0 and West Bromwich Albion were held to a 2–2 draw in front of 7,000 spectators at the Chuckery. Walsall's first league campaign in the Midland Association started with a 2–2 draw at home to Bromley on 22 September 1888. They went on to finish in 3rd place in the league. Although a home match for Walsall, the tie was played at their opponents' Villa Park ground to ensure as many people could watch the local David vs Goliath match as possible. It remains the highest attendance that Walsall have ever played in front of and was a record crowd for Villa Park at the time.

In the following season, 1934–35, Walsall continued their cup pedigree by reaching their first ever senior final in the Third Division North Cup. The Saddlers fell at the final hurdle, however, with a 2–0 defeat to Stockport County at Maine Road. However, after just two seasons in the Second Division, the club were relegated back to the Third Division in 1962–63. An unfortunate defeat to Charlton Athletic in a replayed final match of the season sealed Walsall's relegation, as the London club leapfrogged them in the table to survive. The following years were inconsistent but were buoyed by a few good cup results and the emergence of Alan Buckley, who signed for the club in 1973 and went on to become a prolific goalscorer for the club. Walsall remained in the Third Division until a further relegation to the Fourth Division in 1978–79.

It was Buckley who took on the role of player-manager for the re-build in the fourth tier. Once again The Saddlers rose from the ashes of adversity as they secured an immediate promotion. At one stage in 1979–80 Walsall recorded 21 consecutive matches without defeat, a record that still stands today. This saw the beginning of an era that became a hallmark for some of the most attractive football seen in Walsall as, under the guidance of Buckley, the side gradually established itself as promotion contenders in the Third Division. and with his money came high-profile signings and the attention of the national media. In 1986–87, under new manager Tommy Coakley, Walsall narrowly missed out on the play-offs but made considerable progress in the FA Cup as they defeated First Division Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City and took Watford to two replays in the fifth round.

thumb|left|300px|Chart of table positions of Walsall in the Football League.Walsall finally earned promotion to the Second Division for the first time since 1963 by winning the Third Division play-offs in 1988. Bristol City were beaten 4–0 in a replayed final at Fellows Park thanks to a David Kelly hattrick. However, the 1988–89 season saw the club immediately relegated from the Second Division and Ramsden's business empire collapse. At the time it was a state-of-the-art arena and was only the second new Football League ground since the 1950s. Kenny Hibbitt managed the club for four years, setting the groundwork for a golden era for the club that would follow soon after his dismissal in September 1994.

New manager Chris Nicholl led the club to promotion back to the third tier (now known as Division Two after the formation of the Premier League) in his first season, building the nucleus of a strong and under-rated team. A run of four straight wins at the end of April meant Walsall needed just a point from their final game, away to Bury, to secure promotion; they duly obliged with a 0–0 scoreline to send the travelling fans home celebrating. and a glamour tie at Manchester United resulted in a 5–1 defeat in the FA Cup. Despite the club's cup exploits, a poor finish in the league signalled the end of Sørensen's time at Walsall after just one season.

In 1998–99, Ray Graydon took over as manager and led the club to a runners-up spot in Division Two, beating Manchester City to an automatic promotion place by five points. After the unlikely promotion to the second tier Walsall found life difficult at a higher level but battled right until the final day of the season, when relegation was finally sealed. A 2–0 defeat at Ipswich meant Walsall returned to the third tier, despite derby wins over local rivals Tamworth, Rushall Olympic and West Bromwich Albion earlier in the campaign. The Saddlers returned to the second tier of English football at the first attempt, defeating Reading 3–2, after extra time, in a thrilling play-off final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Graydon was dismissed in January 2002 following a 2–0 defeat against local rivals West Brom. Colin Lee took over and secured survival in the second tier for the first time since the early 1960s. The 2002–03 season saw Walsall avoid relegation again. However, the 2003–04 campaign ended in relegation despite a storming start which had seen the club on the brink of the play-offs going into the New Year. A slump in form saw Lee sacked in April and the appointment of star player Paul Merson as manager did not halt the slide. Walsall were ultimately relegated, agonisingly by a single goal, despite a 3–2 victory over Rotherham United on the season's final day in front of a record Bescot Stadium crowd of 11,049.

Despite the club's relegation and no previous managerial experience, Merson was immediately appointed as full-time manager of the club in May 2004. A poor season in League One almost ended in successive relegations and the 2005–06 season then turned into a disastrous one for Walsall and Merson. After increasing supporter pressure following a string of bad results, culminating in a 5–0 defeat at Brentford, Merson's reign as Walsall manager came to an end in February 2006. However, it was too late and Walsall were relegated on 22 April 2006, after losing 3–1 to Huddersfield Town.

Richard Money was tasked with reviving the club's fortunes in League Two. An impressive start to the season was maintained throughout and, despite a mini-blip in February, Walsall remained in the top three for almost the entire season and were promoted back to League One after beating Notts County 2–1 away from home. On the final day of the season Walsall drew 1–1 at Swindon Town, thanks to a last-minute goal by Dean Keates in front of 3,419 travelling fans, to secure the League Two title.

thumb|right|300px|Walsall (in red shirts) playing [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham in 2009 at Bescot Stadium]]

Walsall's form continued into the new season, as the club performed strongly in 2007–08, including a run of 17 League matches without defeat and back-to-back promotions looked possible. However, a January transfer window that culminated in the sales of important first team players Danny Fox and Scott Dann to Coventry City caused a drop in form throughout 2008. The club's promotion challenge ended after a run of poor results in March leading to Richard Money resigning as manager in April.

The following seven seasons spent in League One saw largely mid-table security apart from a few flirtations with relegation. Notably, in the 2010–11 season the club sat in the relegation places from October through to March but ultimately survived thanks to an upturn in form following the appointment of Dean Smith as manager in January 2011. Walsall had been ten points adrift of safety, however, despite accumulating only 48 points by the end of the season they escaped relegation by one point.

The 2014–15 season was a memorable one for the club as it reached a Wembley final for the first time in its 127-year history. Walsall beat Rochdale, Tranmere Rovers, Sheffield United and Preston North End on their way to the Football League Trophy final where they were beaten 2–0 by Bristol City on Sunday 22 March 2015. The Saddlers were backed by over 29,000 supporters in a crowd of 72,315 at the national stadium.

Walsall started the 2015–16 season well, leading to interest in manager Dean Smith. At the end of November, with The Saddlers fourth in the table, he left Walsall for Brentford; at the time of his departure he was the fourth longest serving manager in the Football League. Walsall turned to Sean O'Driscoll to replace Smith. However, after a six-game winless run and just 16 games in charge, O'Driscoll was sacked and replaced by John Whitney. Ultimately, Walsall missed out on promotion by just one point and lost in the play-off semi-finals to Barnsley.

Following the decimation of their promotion challenging team, Walsall struggled for the next three seasons in League One and, after a disastrous spell in charge for former playing hero Dean Keates following the sacking of Whitney, were relegated back to the fourth tier at the end of the 2018–19 season. Following relegation, a new era began with Darrell Clarke taking over as manager and Jeff Bonser ending his 28-year reign as owner and chairman by selling his 76% majority shareholding of the club to Leigh Pomlett in July 2019. Walsall failed to make a League Two promotion challenge in the 2019–20 or 2020–21 seasons, finishing in 13th and 19th place respectively, halfway through the latter Clarke left for Port Vale. Ahead of the 2021–22 season Matthew Taylor was appointed new head coach with Neil McDonald as his assistant. However, following a run of seven successive losses which left the club in 21st place and just four points outside the relegation zone, Taylor was sacked in February 2022 and replaced by Michael Flynn who saved the club from relegation as they finished 16th.

A new era of American ownership (2022–present)

On 6 June 2022, the club announced that American sports investment firm Trivela Group LLC had purchased a majority of shares belonging to chairman Leigh Pomlett, becoming 51% majority shareholders. A positive run of form in late 2022 saw the club within touching distance of the play-off places for the first time since relegation. However, the end of top goalscorer Danny Johnson's loan spell with the club in January led to an indifferent second half of the season. Ultimately, Flynn was sacked as the club again finished 16th. Interim head coach Mat Sadler was appointed full-time head coach in May 2023, with Trivela stating their confidence that "Mat is the right man, given his values, his resolve, his ambition, and his abilities, to partner with us in building this future, and that he can continue to grow as a coach as we grow as a club." Sadler led the team to a record breaking run of eight league wins in a row, securing the record with a 5–1 victory over Tranmere Rovers at the Bescot Stadium on 11 January 2025, before extending it the following week to nine. On 11 March 2026, with the club in 11th place, Sadler was sacked with his assistant Darren Byfield taking charge for the remainder of the season.

On May 14 2026, Lee Grant was officially named as the new head coach.

Rivals

A 2013 survey revealed Walsall fans consider Black Country neighbours Wolverhampton Wanderers to be the club's main rivals. However, meetings between the teams are relatively rare, with Wolves having spent most of their existence in the top two tiers of English football. Only 16 competitive fixtures have been played between Walsall and Wolves, with the most recent occurring in 2014. Meetings with the Black Country's other professional club, West Bromwich Albion, are similarly rare, with The Saddlers and The Baggies having clashed just 14 times. However, the Black Country rivals did meet on numerous occasions during wartime regionalised league fixtures.

Grounds

The Chuckery

This multi-purpose sports ground was situated in a district near to the Walsall Arboretum. It comprised some 12 football pitches and four good-sized cricket squares. It was the first ever home ground for Walsall F.C. from 1875 until 1893.

West Bromwich Road

The new ground in West Bromwich Road, which had a capacity of just over 4,500, proved to be a lucky omen for The Saddlers between 1893 and 1896.

Fellows Park

Fellows Park was a former football stadium in Walsall, England. It was the home ground of Walsall F.C. from 1896 until 1990, when the team moved to the Bescot Stadium.

Bescot Stadium

Bescot Stadium, currently also known as the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is the home ground of Walsall Football Club. It was built in 1989–90 at a cost of £4.5m, replacing the club's previous ground, Fellows Park, which was located a quarter of a mile away. The ground was opened by Sir Stanley Matthews. Upon Jeff Bonser stepping down from his role at the club, Leigh Pomlett agreed an option to reunite the Saddlers with their stadium freehold "in due time". On 16 December 2022 the club executed its option to acquire Poundland Bescot Stadium and is now the owner of the stadium, the Saddlers Club, and the adjoining land. On Saturday 27 January 2024 the Supporters Club, formerly known as the Saddlers Club, re-opened as a sports bar under the new name The Locker.

Players

Current squad

Out on loan

Former players and managers

Players of the Year

As voted for by Walsall supporters at the end of each season. Current players in bold.

  • 19??–?? Tony Richards
  • 1968–69 Bob Wesson
  • 2000–01 Jorge Leitão
  • 2001–02 Jimmy Walker
  • 2002–03 Ian Roper
  • 2003–04 Paul Ritchie
  • 2004–05 Matty Fryatt
  • 2005–06 Anthony Gerrard
  • 2007–08 Anthony Gerrard
  • 2008–09 Clayton Ince
  • 2009–10 Troy Deeney
  • 2010–11 Andy Butler
  • 2013–14 Sam Mantom
  • 2014–15 Richard O'Donnell
  • 2015–16 Adam Chambers
  • 2016–17 Jason McCarthy
  • 2017–18 Joe Edwards
  • 2018–19 Andy Cook
  • 2019–20 Josh Gordon
  • 2020–21 Liam Kinsella
  • 2021–22 Liam Kinsella
  • 2022–23 Donervon Daniels
  • 2023–24 Isaac Hutchinson
  • 2024–25 Taylor Allen

Top goalscorers

Includes league goals only. Current players in bold.

  • 1994–95 Kyle Lightbourne (23)
  • 1995–96 Kyle Lightbourne (15)
  • 1995–96 Kevin Wilson (15)
  • 1996–97 Kyle Lightbourne (20)
  • 1997–98 Roger Boli (12)
  • 1998–99 Andy Rammell (18)
  • 1999–2000 Michael Ricketts (11)
  • 2000–01 Jorge Leitão (18)
  • 2001–02 Jorge Leitão (8)
  • 2002–03 Júnior (15)
  • 2003–04 Jorge Leitão (7)
  • 2004–05 Matty Fryatt (15)
  • 2005–06 Matty Fryatt (11)
  • 2006–07 Dean Keates (13)
  • 2007–08 Tommy Mooney (11)
  • 2008–09 Michael Ricketts (12)
  • 2009–10 Troy Deeney (14)
  • 2010–11 Julian Gray (10)
  • 2011–12 Alex Nicholls (7)
  • 2011–12 Jon Macken (7)
  • 2012–13 Will Grigg (19)
  • 2013–14 Craig Westcarr (14)
  • 2014–15 Tom Bradshaw (17)
  • 2015–16 Tom Bradshaw (17)
  • 2016–17 Erhun Oztumer (15)
  • 2017–18 Erhun Oztumer (15)
  • 2018–19 Andy Cook (13)
  • 2019–20 Josh Gordon (9)
  • 2020–21 Elijah Adebayo (10)
  • 2021–22 George Miller (12)
  • 2022–23 Danny Johnson (12)
  • 2023–24 Isaac Hutchinson (12)
  • 2024-25 Nathan Lowe (15)

International Saddlers

List of players who have earned full international caps while at Walsall.

  • Mick Kearns (15) <small>1973–79</small>
  • Miah Dennehy (2) <small>1975–77</small>
  • David Kelly (3) <small>1987–88</small>
  • Kyle Lightbourne (?) <small>1993–97</small>
  • John Keister (3) <small>1999–00</small>
  • Paul Hall (5) <small>2000–01</small>
  • Gábor Bukrán (1) <small>2000</small>
  • Fitzroy Simpson (10) <small>2001–03</small>
  • Danny Hay (4) <small>2002–03</small>
  • Jamie Lawrence (6) <small>2003</small>
  • Carl Robinson (1) <small>2003</small>
  • Chris Baird (1) <small>2003</small>
  • Paul Ritchie (1) <small>2004</small>
  • Clayton Ince (15) <small>2008–09</small>
  • Will Grigg (1) <small>2012</small>
  • Romaine Sawyers (15) <small>2014–16</small>
  • Neil Etheridge (9) <small>2015–17</small>
  • Jason Demetriou (5) <small>2015–16</small>
  • Tom Bradshaw (1) <small>2016</small>
  • Andreas Makris (7) <small>2016–17</small>
  • Simeon Jackson (2) <small>2016–17</small>
  • Maziar Kouhyar (6) <small>2017–19</small>
  • Liam Gordon (19) <small>2023–25</small>
  • Brandon Comley (6) <small>2023–</small>
  • Donervon Daniels (8) <small>2023–25</small>
  • Cayden Bennett (1) <small>2024–</small>

Players with 300 or more appearances

Includes competitive appearances only. Current players in bold.

  • Colin Harrison (527)
  • Colin Taylor (504)
  • Nick Atthey (503)
  • Kenny Mower (493)
  • Alan Buckley (482)
  • Chris Marsh (481)
  • Peter Hart (476)
  • Brian Caswell (459)
  • Frank Gregg (445)
  • Stan Bennett (438)
  • Darren Wrack (384)
  • Sammy Holmes (381)
  • Ian Roper (380)
  • Albert McPherson (367)
  • Craig Shakespeare (355)
  • Tony Richards (355)
  • Ken Hodgkisson (352)
  • Billy Bradford (352)
  • Charlie Ntamark (338)
  • Adam Chambers (331)
  • Mick Kearns (322)
  • Dave Serella (304)

Players with 50 or more goals

Includes competitive appearances only. Current players in bold.

  • Richard O'Kelly (65)
  • Bill Evans (64)
  • Craig Shakespeare (60)
  • Don Penn (58)
  • Ken Hodgkisson (56)
  • Jack Aston (55)
  • Moses Lane (55)
  • Wally Brown (53)
  • Jack Vinall (53)
  • Darren Wrack (52)
  • Highest Transfer Fee Received: £1,500,000 – for Rico Henry from Brentford, August 2016

Notes

References

  • Saddlers A–Z, player biographies and appearance info&nbsp;– official site
  • WFC The Venue
  • UpTheSaddlers&nbsp;– Forum
  • Bescot Banter&nbsp;– Latest news/views