As Newport County prepare to take on Walsall away from home, we take a closer look at the Saddlers.
What’s their story?
Founded in 1888, Walsall Football Club, affectionately known as “The Saddlers,” derives its nickname from the town’s rich heritage as a hub of saddle-making craftsmanship. The club transitioned from the Midland Association to the Football Alliance in 1889 before becoming a founding member of the Football League Second Division in 1892. Following a brief stint in the league from 1896 to 1900, Walsall spent two decades outside the Football League, competing primarily in the Birmingham & District League.
In 1921, Walsall played a pivotal role in forming the Football League Third Division North, where they remained for 37 years. They became a founding member of the Fourth Division in 1958 and swiftly rose through the ranks, clinching the Fourth Division title in 1959–60 and earning consecutive promotions with a successful campaign in the Third Division the following season. In 1988, the Saddlers achieved promotion to the Second Division for the first time, but their stay was short-lived, with relegation soon returning them to the Fourth Division.
Starting in 1998, Walsall enjoyed a resurgence, spending four of the next five seasons in the second tier. However, two relegations in three years saw them drop back to the fourth tier in 2006. They rebounded strongly, securing the League Two title in 2006–07 to earn immediate promotion.
The Saddlers made their first Wembley Stadium appearance in the 2015 Football League Trophy Final, though they fell short against Bristol City. A year later, they narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship by a single point and were defeated in the playoff semi-final by Barnsley. After an 11-year tenure in League One, Walsall faced relegation in 2019.
Who’s the boss?
Former defender Mat Sadler currently serves as the head coach of Walsall. A versatile left-footed player during his career, Sadler was equally adept at playing as a full-back or centre-back.
Sadler began his football journey in the youth system at Birmingham City, where he went on to make 51 league appearances. Before making his first-team debut for Birmingham, he gained valuable experience on loan at Northampton Town in 2003.
In January 2008, Sadler joined Watford for an initial fee of £750,000, which could rise to £900,000. He made his debut for the club on 29 January 2008, starting in a 1–1 draw against Sheffield United. However, injuries hampered his progress at Vicarage Road, leading to loan spells at Stockport County and Shrewsbury Town to gain playing time.
Sadler’s career included stints with Walsall, Rotherham United, Crawley Town, and Oldham Athletic before he returned to Shrewsbury Town for a four-year spell, during which he made 129 appearances. In the latter stages of his playing career, Sadler rejoined Walsall, where he added 53 more appearances to his name before retiring after the 2021–22 season.
On 19 April 2023, Sadler stepped into management as Walsall’s interim manager following the departure of Michael Flynn. After a solid performance in this role, he was appointed as the club's permanent head coach on
May 18 ,2023, embarking on a new chapter in his football career.
Who’s the captain?
Montserratian defender Donervon Daniels currently serves as the captain of Walsall.
A product of the youth systems at Reading and later West Bromwich Albion, Daniels has built a solid career in the English Football League, representing clubs such as Wigan Athletic, Blackpool, and Crewe Alexandra. However, it is at Walsall, where he has made 93 appearances, that Daniels has cemented his reputation as a dependable leader and key figure in the defences of both Walsall and the Montserrat national team.
Daniels was appointed Walsall’s club captain ahead of the 2022–23 season, reflecting his influence and experience within the squad. On 3 July 2023, he committed his future to the club by signing a contract extension through the summer of 2025. His leadership and contributions on the pitch were highlighted on 27 January 2024 when he scored a stunning goal in a 1–1 draw with Sutton United, a strike that earned him the EFL League Two Goal of the Month award.
Key Players
Nathan Lowe has quickly become Walsall’s most potent attacking threat. The talented young forward, currently on loan from Stoke City, has established himself as a key player in Mathew Sadler’s side during the 2024–25 season.
Before joining Walsall, the 19-year-old made 17 senior appearances for Stoke City, where he scored his first professional goal on 30 September 2023—a dramatic late strike that secured a 3–2 victory over Bristol City. Seeking regular game time, Lowe moved to Walsall on a season-long loan on 22 August 2024.
Lowe made an immediate impact, scoring twice in a thrilling 3–2 EFL Cup victory against Huddersfield Town, despite missing a penalty earlier in the match. He followed this up by netting his first League Two goal in a 2–1 win over Cheltenham Town. By October 2024, Lowe had scored ten goals in 18 appearances, earning him the EFL Young Player of the Month award.
As of now, Lowe has tallied 14 goals in 27 appearances across all competitions for Walsall. His 11 league goals place him third in the race for the League Two Golden Boot, solidifying his reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in the EFL.
Another key player for the Saddlers is Jamille Matt. The forward has certainly been an important addition to Walsall since his move to the club in January 2023. His experience and goal-scoring ability have been valuable assets for the team.
Prior to his time at Walsall, Matt had a notable spell at Newport County, where he made a significant impact. His memorable goal against Leicester City in the FA Cup was a highlight, and he helped Newport reach the League Two playoff final in 2019.
Since joining Walsall, Matt has continued to show his goal-scoring prowess, with six goals in 20 appearances so far this season
