 | ||||
| Full name | Walsall Football Club | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | The Saddlers | |||
| Founded | 1888; 137 years ago (1888) (asWalsall Town Swifts) | |||
| Ground | Bescot Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 11,300 | |||
| Owner | Trivela Group | |||
| Chairman | Benjamin Boycott & Leigh Pomlett (co-chairmen) | |||
| Head Coach | Mat Sadler | |||
| League | EFL League Two | |||
| 2024–25 | EFL League Two, 4th of 24 | |||
| Website | saddlers.co.uk | |||
 Current season | ||||
Walsall Football Club is a professionalassociation football club based in the town ofWalsall,West Midlands, England. The team competes inEFL League Two, the fourth level of theEnglish football league system.
The club's nickname, "The Saddlers", reflects Walsall's status as a traditional centre forsaddle manufacture. Walsall moved into theBescot Stadium in 1990, having previously played at nearbyFellows Park for almost a century. The team play in a red and white kit and their club crest features aswift. They hold rivalries with nearbyWolverhampton Wanderers andWest Bromwich Albion, as well as farther away but more regularly contested rivalries withShrewsbury Town andPort Vale.
The club was founded in 1888 asWalsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town and Walsall Swifts.[1]: 9 The club moved to theFootball Alliance from the Midland Association the following year, before being invited to help found theFootball League Second Division in 1892. They returned briefly to theFootball League from 1896 to 1900, before spending two decades outside the Football League, primarily in theBirmingham & District League.
Invited to help form theFootball 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 theFourth Division, winning that Division in 1959–60, and securing promotion out of theThird 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 2006–07League Two champions.
Their first match atWembley Stadium came in the2015 Football League Trophy Final, which they lost toBristol City. In 2016 they missed out on promotion to the Championship by a single point, and lost the resulting playoff semi-final againstBarnsley. The Saddlers ended an 11-year stay inLeague One with relegation in 2019. Walsall then played at Wembley again in 2025, losing 1–0 toAFC Wimbledon in the2025 League Two play-off final.
Walsall were formed asWalsall Town Swifts F.C. in 1888 whenWalsall Town F.C. andWalsall Swifts F.C. amalgamated.[2] Walsall Town had been founded in 1874 as Walsall Football Club and Walsall Swifts in 1875 as Victoria Swifts.<Birth of the Saddlers, Bradbury 2015> Both clubs had played atthe Chuckery, since April 1881 when Walsall Swifts 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 againstAston 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.[1]: 7 [3]
Later that year, Walsall Town Swifts played friendly matches against two founder members of theFootball League; a strongBurnley side were beaten 1–0 andWest 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 toBromley on 22 September 1888. They went on to finish in 3rd place in the league.[1]: 141
The club were first admitted to theFootball League in 1892, as founder members of the newSecond Division. They moved to theWest Bromwich Road ground in 1893 after complaints from local residents about them playing at the Chuckery. After finishing 14th out of 16 teams in1894–95 the club failed to be re-elected to the Football League. At the start of the 1895 season the club once again moved grounds, this time toFellows Park which remained the club's home for over a century.
In 1896 the club changed their name back to simplyWalsall F.C.[2] and joined theMidland League. A year later, they returned to the Second Division. The team finished in 6th place in1898–99 in a season that, to this day, proves to be their highest ever league finish. Despite this relative success, the club once again failed re-election two years later and dropped back into the Midland League. A move to theBirmingham League followed in 1903 and in 1910 the club were elected to theSouthern League. With the expansion of the Football League afterWorld War I, Walsall became a founding member of theThird Division North in 1921 and have remained aFootball League side ever since.
Walsall's highest "home" attendance was set in 1930, when they played in of front of 74,646 fans in a 3–1 defeat toAston Villa in theFA Cup fourth round.[4] Although a home match for Walsall, the tie was played at their opponents'Villa Park ground to ensure as many people could watch the localDavid 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.[1]: 28
In the years from 1921 leading up toWorld War II Walsall's success remained limited, with finishes of 3rd in1922–23, 5th in1932–33 and 4th in1933–34 the closest the club came to achieving promotion. The decent results in the early 1930s were spearheaded by the emergence of one of Walsall's greatest ever players,Gilbert Alsop, who scored a remarkable 169 goals between 1931 and 1935.[1]: 29
Alsop also inspired Walsall's finest ever FA Cup result, scoring the opening goal in a 2–0 home win againstArsenal in 1933. Arsenal were regarded as the best team in the country at the time and went on to win theFirst Division that season and the two seasons following that.[1]: 30–31 As such, the cup defeat to Third Division North side Walsall is still regarded as one of the greatest upsets in FA Cup history.[5][6]
In the following season,1934–35, Walsall continued their cup pedigree by reaching their first ever senior final in theThird Division North Cup.The Saddlers fell at the final hurdle, however, with a 2–0 defeat toStockport County atMaine Road.[1]: 178
1945–46 signalled the final season of local war-time competitions. Between January and May 1946 theThird Division South Cup was contested as a precursor for the return of full-time league football later that year. Walsall reached the final to faceBournemouth & Boscombe Athletic atStamford Bridge but, in a repeat of their previous final appearance in 1935, they lost the match 2–0.[1]: 189
The return of football following the war saw a spike in attendances for many clubs across the Football League and Walsall were no different. In the1947–48 season a number of impressive turnouts at Fellows Park, including a season-best 20,383 for the visit ofNotts County, saw the club record its highest average league attendance to date of 15,711.[1]: 191 In the same season Walsall finished in 3rd place but once again missed out on promotion to the Second Division.
The early 1950s saw some of Walsall's most troubling and dismal times in the Football League, as the club faced there-election process four consecutive years. They finished bottom of the league in1951–52,1952–53 and1953–54 and improved to only second bottom in1954–55. The club, however, managed to retain its Football League status through this period, largely thanks to the high attendances at Fellows Park demonstrating a healthy desire for League football in Walsall.[1]: 41–42
In 1958, following a reorganisation of the Football League, Walsall became founder members of theFourth Division — now holding the distinction of being founder members of the Second, Third and Fourth tiers. Under the management ofBill Moore, the club achieved successive promotions, scoring 102 goals on their way to winning the Fourth Division title in1959–60 and finishing as Third Division runners-up in1960–61. The league title in 1960 was the club's first in their 72-year history.
In the club's first season in the second tier of English football since the early 1900s a post-war record 14th-place finish was achieved.[1]: 203–205 It was during this season that the club also recorded its record attendance, as 25,453 crammed into Fellows Park to seeThe Saddlers beatNewcastle United 1–0 in August 1961.[1]: 47 [7] However, after just two seasons in the Second Division, the club were relegated back to the Third Division in1962–63. An unfortunate defeat toCharlton Athletic in a replayed final match of the season sealed Walsall's relegation, as the London club leapfrogged them in the table to survive.[1]: 47
One of Walsall's finest ever talents,Allan Clarke, made his breakthrough as a first team regular in the1964–65 season. Aged just 18, he scored 23 league goals in 1964–65 and a further 23 goals in all competitions in1965–66. He was sold to First DivisionFulham for a then club record fee of £37,500 in March 1966 and went on to earn 19 caps forEngland and win a league title atLeeds United.[8][1]: 98
1970–71 saw the first league meeting between Walsall and their first opponents Aston Villa. The two clubs met in the Third Division with Walsall winning the home tie 3–0, thanks to two goals fromGeoff Morris and aColin Taylor penalty. The away tie at Villa Park later in the season ended goalless.
Ken Wheldon, a local businessman made good, took over the club in 1972 and brought some optimism of a brighter future.[9] The following years were inconsistent but were buoyed by a few good cup results and the emergence ofAlan Buckley, who signed for the club in 1973 and went on to become a prolific goalscorer for the club.[10] Walsall remained in the Third Division until a further relegation to the Fourth Division in1978–79.
It was Buckley who took on the role of player-manager for the re-build in the fourth tier. Once againThe Saddlers rose from the ashes of adversity as they secured an immediate promotion. At one stage in1979–80 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.[1]: 55
While consolidating in the Third Division in the early 1980s, off-the-pitch issues took prominence throughout the decade. The dilapidated state of the club's Fellows Park home was becoming a problem and, in 1982, the intention to move in togroundshareMolineux withWolverhampton Wanderers was announced by owner Ken Wheldon. The club's fans' quickly protested against the idea, as theSave Walsall Action Group was formed, and it never came to pass.[9]
The1983–84 League Cup campaign was, arguably, Walsall's finest hour. After victories overBlackpool,Barnsley and local rivalsShrewsbury Town, they defeated First Division club Arsenal 2–1 in the fourth round atHighbury. A 4–2 victory overRotherham United in the quarter-final sawThe Saddlers advance to the semi-final to face holders and reigning First Division champions,Liverpool. A 2–2 draw atAnfield in the first leg had Walsall dreaming of an unlikely cup final and place in Europe, however, a second leg 2–0 defeat in front of 19,591 at Fellows Park saw Walsall lose the tie 4–2 on aggregate.[11]
By 1986 further plans were announced to groundshare with one of the club's local rivals. This time it was atBirmingham City'sSt Andrew's ground. TheSave Walsall Action Group was again pressed into action and, after peaceful protests and the support of the local press, the Football League blocked the move.[9] Walsall were subsequently bought by millionaire entrepreneur and racehorse ownerTerry Ramsden[12] and with his money came high-profile signings and the attention of the national media. In1986–87, under new managerTommy 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 tookWatford to two replays in the fifth round.
Walsall finally earned promotion to the Second Division for the first time since 1963 by winning the Third Divisionplay-offs in 1988.Bristol City were beaten 4–0 in a replayed final at Fellows Park thanks to aDavid Kelly hattrick. However, the1988–89 season saw the club immediately relegated from the Second Division and Ramsden's business empire collapse.[12] Walsall were minutes from going out of business but survived, again through the actions of the supporters and local businessmen. A second successive relegation followed at the end of1989–90 as Walsall were consigned to the Fourth Division once again.
The club moved to theBescot Stadium in 1990.[13] At the time it was a state-of-the-art arena and was only the second new Football League ground since the 1950s.[13] The arrival at Bescot Stadium saw some stability brought back to the club after two successive relegations and the club was taken over by Jeff Bonser in 1991.[14]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 managerChris Nicholl led the club to promotion back to the third tier (now known as Division Two after the formation of thePremier 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 toBury, to secure promotion; they duly obliged with a 0–0 scoreline to send the travelling fans home celebrating.[1]: 66
Two seasons of stability followed back in Division Two before Nicholl resigned.Jan Sørensen took the helm after Nicholl's departure and led the club to the fourth round of both the League Cup and FA Cup in1997–98. Each run was ended away to a Premier League side asWest Ham United won 4–1 in the League Cup[15] and a glamour tie atManchester United resulted in a 5–1 defeat in the FA Cup.[16] 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.
In1998–99,Ray Graydon took over as manager and led the club to a runners-up spot in Division Two, beatingManchester City to an automatic promotion place by five points.[17] After the unlikely promotion to thesecond 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 atIpswich meant Walsall returned to the third tier, despite derby wins over local rivals Wolves, Birmingham andWest Bromwich Albion earlier in the campaign.The Saddlers returned to the second tier of English football at the first attempt, defeatingReading 3–2, after extra time, in a thrilling play-off final at Cardiff'sMillennium Stadium.[18]
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. The2002–03 season saw Walsall avoid relegation again. However, the2003–04 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[19] and the appointment of star playerPaul 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.[20]
Despite the club's relegation and no previous managerial experience, Merson was immediately appointed as full-time manager of the club in May 2004.[21] A poor season inLeague One almost ended in successive relegations and the2005–06 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 atBrentford, Merson's reign as Walsall manager came to an end in February 2006.[22] However, it was too late and Walsall were relegated on 22 April 2006, after losing 3–1 toHuddersfield Town.[23]
Richard Money was tasked with reviving the club's fortunes inLeague 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 toLeague One after beatingNotts County 2–1 away from home.[24] On the final day of the season Walsall drew 1–1 atSwindon Town, thanks to a last-minute goal byDean Keates in front of 3,419 travelling fans, to secure theLeague Two title.[25][26]
Walsall's form continued into the new season, as the club performed strongly in2007–08, 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 playersDanny Fox andScott Dann toCoventry City[27] 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.[28]
The following seven seasons spent in League One saw largely mid-table security apart from a few flirtations with relegation. Notably, in the2010–11 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 ofDean Smith as manager in January 2011.[29] 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.[30]
The2014–15 season was a memorable one for the club as it reached aWembley final for the first time in its 127-year history.[11] Walsall beatRochdale,Tranmere Rovers,Sheffield United andPreston North End on their way to theFootball League Trophy final where they were beaten 2–0 by Bristol City on Sunday 22 March 2015.[31]The Saddlers were backed by over 29,000 supporters in a crowd of 72,315 at the national stadium.[32]
Walsall started the2015–16 season well, leading to interest in manager Dean Smith. At the end of November, withThe 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.[33] Walsall turned toSean O'Driscoll to replace Smith.[34] However, after a six-game winless run and just 16 games in charge, O'Driscoll was sacked and replaced byJohn Whitney.[35] Ultimately, Walsall missed out on promotion by just one point and lost in the play-off semi-finals to Barnsley.[36]
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 the2018–19 season.[37] Following relegation, a new era began withDarrell Clarke taking over as manager[38] 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.[39] Walsall failed to make a League Two promotion challenge in the2019–20 or2020–21 seasons, finishing in 13th and 19th place respectively, halfway through the latter Clarke left forPort Vale. Ahead of the2021–22 seasonMatthew Taylor was appointed new head coach withNeil McDonald as his assistant.[40] 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 byMichael Flynn who saved the club from relegation as they finished 16th.
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.[41][42] 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 goalscorerDanny Johnson's loan spell with the club in January led to an indifferent second half of the season. Ultimately, Flynn was sacked[43] as the club again finished 16th. Interim head coachMat 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."[44] Sadler led the team to a record breaking run of eight league wins in a row, securing the record with a 5–1 victory overTranmere Rovers at theBescot Stadium on 11 January 2025, before extending it the following week to nine.[45][46] Despite leading the league by 12 points and the play-off positions by 15 in January, a poor second half of the season saw Walsall miss out on automatic promotion on the final day of the season and subsequently lose theplay-off final 1–0 toAFC Wimbledon.[46]
A 2013 survey revealed Walsall fans consider Black Country neighboursWolverhampton Wanderers to be the club's main rivals.[47] However, meetings between the teams are relatively rare, with Wolves having spent most of their existence in the top two tiers of English football. Only16 competitive fixtures have been played between Walsall and Wolves, with the most recent occurring in 2014.[48] Meetings with the Black Country's other professional club,West Bromwich Albion, are similarly rare, withThe Saddlers andThe Baggies having clashed just 14 times.[49] However, the Black Country rivals did meet on numerous occasions during wartime regionalised league fixtures.[1] A match between two of those three clubs is calledBlack Country derby.
More regularly-contested rivalries exist withShrewsbury Town andPort Vale, who are oftenThe Saddlers' geographically closest league fixtures. Walsall have the upper hand in the Shrewsbury and Port Vale rivalries, having won significantly more fixtures than they have lost.[50][51][52]
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.[53]
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 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 theBescot Stadium.
Bescot Stadium, currently also known as the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium for sponsorship purposes,[54] 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 bySir 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.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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First Team[edit]
Academy[edit]
| Medical Staff[edit]
Directors[edit]
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Information correct as of 30 August 2024.[56]
As voted for by Walsall supporters at the end of each season. Current players in bold.[a]
Tony Richards[57]Bob Wesson[57]Bob Wesson[57]Colin Harrison[57]Alan Buckley[57]Alan Buckley[57]Colin Harrison[57]Peter Hart[57]
Kevin WilsonAdi ViveashAdi Viveash
Jeff PeronJimmy Walker
Gino Padula[58]
Jorge Leitão[59]Jimmy WalkerIan Roper
Paul RitchieMatty Fryatt[60]
Anthony Gerrard[61]Dean Keates[62]Anthony Gerrard[61]
Clayton Ince[63]Troy Deeney[64]Andy Butler[65]Andy Butler[65]Will Grigg[65]Sam Mantom[66]Richard O'Donnell[67]Adam Chambers[68]Jason McCarthy[69]Joe Edwards[70]Andy Cook[71]Josh Gordon[72]Liam Kinsella[73]Liam Kinsella[74]
Donervon Daniels[75]Isaac Hutchinson[76]Taylor Allen[77]Includes league goals only. Current players in bold.[78]
Kyle Lightbourne (23)Kyle Lightbourne (15)Kevin Wilson (15)Kyle Lightbourne (20)Roger Boli (12)Andy Rammell (18)Michael Ricketts (11)Jorge Leitão (18)Jorge Leitão (8)
Júnior (15)Jorge Leitão (7)Matty Fryatt (15)Matty Fryatt (11)Dean Keates (13)Tommy Mooney (11)Michael Ricketts (12)Troy Deeney (14)Julian Gray (10)Alex Nicholls (7)Jon Macken (7)Will Grigg (19)Craig Westcarr (14)
Tom Bradshaw (17)Tom Bradshaw (17)Erhun Oztumer (15)Erhun Oztumer (15)Andy Cook (13)Josh Gordon (9)Elijah Adebayo (10)George Miller (12)Danny Johnson (12)Isaac Hutchinson (12)Nathan Lowe (15)List of players who have earned full international caps while at Walsall.[1]: 251 Current players in bold.
Alf Jones (2)1882[d]Albert Aldridge (1)1889Caesar Jenkyns (2)1898
Jack Taggart (1)1899Mick O'Brien (1)1929Roy John (1)1931Dick Griffiths (1)1934[79]Mick Kearns (15)1973–79Miah Dennehy (2)1975–77David Kelly (3)1987–88Kyle Lightbourne (?)[e]1993–97
John Keister (3)1999–00
Paul Hall (5)2000–01[80]
Gábor Bukrán (1)2000[81]Fitzroy Simpson (10)2001–03[82]
Danny Hay (4)2002–03[83]Jamie Lawrence (6)2003[84]Carl Robinson (1)2003[85][f]Chris Baird (1)2003[86][g]Paul Ritchie (1)2004[87]Clayton Ince (15)2008–09[88]Will Grigg (1)2012[89]
Romaine Sawyers (15)2014–16[90]
Neil Etheridge (9)2015–17[91]
Jason Demetriou (5)2015–16[92]Tom Bradshaw (1)2016[93]Andreas Makris (7)2016–17[94]
Simeon Jackson (2)2016–17[95]
Maziar Kouhyar (6)2017–19[96]
Liam Gordon (19)2023–25[97]Brandon Comley (6)2023–[98]Donervon Daniels (8)2023–25[99]Cayden Bennett (1)2024–[100]Includes competitive appearances only. Current players in bold.[1]: 257
Jimmy Walker (535)[101]1993–04, 2010–13Colin Harrison (527)1964–82Colin Taylor (504)1958–63, 1964–68, 1969–73 Nick Atthey (503)1963–77Kenny Mower (493)1978–91Alan Buckley (482)1973–85Chris Marsh (481)[102]1987–01Peter Hart (476)1980–90Brian Caswell (459)1972–85 Frank Gregg (445)1960–73 Stan Bennett (438)1963–75Darren Wrack (384)[103]1998–08 Sammy Holmes (381)1888–02Ian Roper (380)[104]1995–08Albert McPherson (367)1954–64Craig Shakespeare (355)1981–89Tony Richards (355)1954–63Ken Hodgkisson (352)1955–66 Billy Bradford (352)1926–38
Charlie Ntamark (338)1990–97Adam Chambers (331)[105]2011–19Mick Kearns (322)1973–79, 1982–85Dave Serella (304)1974–82Includes competitive appearances only. Current players in bold.[1]: 257
Alan Buckley (202)1973–85Tony Richards (197)1954–63Colin Taylor (189)1958–63, 1964–68, 1969–73Gilbert Alsop (171)1931–35, 1938–47 Sammy Holmes (108)1888–02Kyle Lightbourne (85)1993–97David Kelly (80)1983–88Jorge Leitão (71)[106]2000–06Richard O'Kelly (65)1979–86, 1988 Bill Evans (64)1934–39Craig Shakespeare (60)1981–89Don Penn (58)1977–83Ken Hodgkisson (56)1955–66Jack Aston (55)1896–99, 1903–04, 1905–06Moses Lane (55)1920–21, 1927–29 Wally Brown (53)1938–44, 1945–48Jack Vinall (53)1940–43, 1944–47Darren Wrack (52)[103]1998–08Nicky Cross (52)1985–88George Andrews (51)1972–77 Johnny Devlin (51)1947–52 W. Robinson (51)1907–09, 1910–13The following managers have all made notable achievements for Walsall. Each has led the club to at least one of the following while in charge: winning promotion, reaching the final of a cup competition or recording the club's best result in a league season or cup competition.[107][1]: 74–87
| Name | Years | P | W | D | L | Win% | Honours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G. Hughessec | 1898–99 | 35 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 042.86 | Second Division 6th place1898–99 | [h] |
| Andrew Wilson | 1934–37 | 130 | 47 | 30 | 53 | 036.15 | Third Division North Cup runners-up1935 | |
| Tommy Lowes | 1937–39 | 102 | 32 | 21 | 49 | 031.37 | FA Cup fifth round1938–39 | |
| Harry Hibbs | 1944–51 | 305 | 113 | 73 | 119 | 037.05 | Third Division South Cup runners-up1946 | |
| Bill Moore | 1957–63 1969–72 | 470 | 190 | 113 | 167 | 040.43 | Fourth Division champions1959–60 Third Division runners-up1960–61 | |
| Doug Fraser | 1974–77 | 163 | 60 | 45 | 58 | 036.81 | FA Cup fifth round1974–75 | |
| Dave Mackay | 1977–78 | 72 | 30 | 27 | 15 | 041.67 | FA Cup fifth round1977–78 | |
| Alan Buckley | 1979–82 1982–86 | 349 | 148 | 92 | 109 | 042.41 | Fourth Division runners-up1979–80 League Cup semi-finals1983–84 | [i] |
| Tommy Coakley | 1986–88 | 148 | 62 | 37 | 49 | 041.89 | FA Cup fifth round1986–87 Third Division play-off winners1987–88 | |
| Chris Nicholl | 1994–97 | 157 | 72 | 38 | 47 | 045.86 | Third Division runners-up1994–95 | |
| Ray Graydon | 1998–02 | 199 | 79 | 49 | 71 | 039.70 | Second Division runners-up1998–99 Second Division play-off winners2000–01 | |
| Colin Lee | 2002–04 | 116 | 38 | 30 | 48 | 032.76 | FA Cup fifth round2001–02 FA Cup fifth round2002–03 | |
| Richard Money | 2006–08 | 102 | 44 | 33 | 25 | 043.14 | League Two champions2006–07 | |
| Dean Smith | 2011–15 | 260 | 84 | 96 | 80 | 032.31 | Football League Trophy runners-up2015 |
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Liam Gordon 2023–25
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