2025–26 Walsall F.C. season

Walsall
2025–26 season
OwnerTrivela Group
Co-chairmanBenjamin Boycott,
Leigh Pomlett
Head CoachMat Sadler
StadiumBescot Stadium

The 2025–26 season is the 138th season in the history of Walsall Football Club and their seventh consecutive season in League Two. The club are participating in League Two, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the EFL Trophy.

Transfers and contracts

In

Date Pos. Player From Fee Ref.
11 June 2025 CB England Harrison Burke England Chester Undisclosed [1]
26 June 2025 CF Scotland Aaron Pressley England Stevenage Undisclosed [2]
1 July 2025[a] CM England Courtney Clarke England Eastbourne Borough Compensation [3]
1 July 2025[b] CB England Mason Hancock Scotland Airdrieonians Free [4]
1 July 2025[c] LB Kenya Vincent Harper England Exeter City [5]
21 July 2025 CB England Aden Flint England Mansfield Town [6]
28 July 2025 CAM Australia Jake Hollman Australia Macarthur [7]
1 August 2025 CM England Lewis Warrington England Leyton Orient [8]
  1. ^ The transfer was announced on 9 June, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Eastbourne had expired
  2. ^ The transfer was announced on 17 June, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Airdrieonians had expired
  3. ^ The transfer was announced on 26 June, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Exeter City had expired

Out

Date Pos. Player To Fee Ref.
26 June 2025 CB England Taylor Allen England Wycombe Wanderers Undisclosed [9]
21 July 2025 CB Republic of Ireland David Okagbue England Peterborough United Undisclosed [10]

Loaned in

Date Pos. Player From Date until Ref.
30 June 2025 GK England Myles Roberts England Watford 31 May 2026 [11]
1 July 2025 CF England Jonny Stuttle England Bournemouth [12]
18 July 2025 CB Wales Daniel Cox England Derby County [13]
18 August 2025 MF England Ryan Finnigan England Blackpool [14]

Loaned out

Date Pos. Player To Date until Ref.
18 July 2025 CF England Charlie Wragg England Halesowen Town 31 May 2026 [15]
25 July 2025 England Levi Amantchi England Rochdale 3 January 2026 [16]
7 August 2025 GK England Jenson Kilroy England Evesham United 4 September 2025 [17]
CM England Dylan Thomas England Worcester City [17]

Released / Out of Contract

Date Pos. Player Subsequent club Join date Ref.
30 June 2025 CB Montserrat Donervon Daniels England Oldham Athletic 1 July 2025 [18][19]
CM England Jack Earing England Barrow [18][20]
LB Guyana Liam Gordon England Port Vale [21][22]
CB Republic of Ireland Oisin McEntee Scotland Heart of Midlothian [18][23]
DM Wales Ryan Stirk England Chesterfield [24][25]
GK England George Barrett [18]
CF England Douglas James-Taylor Republic of Ireland Bohemians 1 July 2025 [26][27]
England Danny Johnson England Hartlepool 4 July 2025 [18][28]

New Contract

Date Pos. Player Contract until Ref.
11 June 2025 GK England Jenson Kilroy Undisclosed[a] [29]
20 June 2025 LM Republic of Ireland Ronan Maher 30 June 2027 [30]
24 June 2025 RM Ghana Albert Adomah 30 June 2026 [31]
26 June 2025 CF Jamaica Jamille Matt 30 June 2026 [32]
28 June 2025 CB England Priestley Farquharson 30 June 2026[b] [33]
28 June 2025 GK England Sam Hornby 30 June 2027 [34]
  1. ^ First professional contract
  2. ^ Option for a further year

Pre-season and friendlies

On 8 May, Walsall announced their first pre-season friendly, against Premier League side Aston Villa.[35] A month later, a second fixture was confirmed against Leamington.[36] Two more were added against Derby County and Hereford.[37] On 17 June, a fifth fixture was added to the schedule, against Forest Green Rovers.[38]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

8 July 2025 Friendly Leamington 0–4 Walsall Bishop's Tachbrook
19:30 BST Report
  • Wragg 53', 60'
  • Pressley 80'
  • Gordon 86'
Stadium: New Windmill Ground
Attendance: 702
12 July 2025 Friendly Walsall 3–0 Hereford Essington
12:30 BST Report Stadium: Essington Training Ground
Attendance: 0 (Behind-closed-doors)
16 July 2025 Friendly Walsall 1–0 Aston Villa Bescot
19:30 BST
  • Burke 38'
Report Stadium: Bescot Stadium
19 July 2025 Friendly Walsall 1–1 Solihull Moors Essington
12:00 BST
Report Stadium: Essington Training Ground
Attendance: 0 (Behind-closed-doors)
22 July 2025 Friendly Walsall 2–3 Derby County Walsall
19:30 BST
Report
Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 2,789 (1,321 away)
26 July 2025 Friendly Forest Green Rovers 0–3 Walsall Nailsworth
15:00 BST Report
Stadium: The New Lawn
Attendance: 992 (195 away)
29 July 2025 Friendly Walsall 3–2 West Bromwich Albion U21 Essington
14:00 BST
Report Stadium: Essington Training Ground
Attendance: 0 (Behind-closed-doors)

Competitions

League Two

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
5 Fleetwood Town 3 2 1 0 6 3 +3 7 Qualification for League Two play-offs
6 Swindon Town 3 2 0 1 6 5 +1 6
7 Walsall 3 2 0 1 4 3 +1 6
8 Salford City 3 2 0 1 5 5 0 6
9 Tranmere Rovers 3 1 2 0 6 2 +4 5
Updated to match(es) played on 16 August 2025. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[39]

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
3 2 0 1 4 3  +1 6 1 0 0 2 1  +1 1 0 1 2 2  0

Last updated: 16 August 2025.
Source: Soccerway

Results by round

Round123
GroundHAA
ResultWLW
Position4137
Points336
Source: EFL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed

Matches

On 26 June, the League Two fixtures were released, with Walsall hosting Swindon Town on the opening day.[40]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

2 August 2025 1 Walsall 2–1 Swindon Town Bescot
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 8,240 (2,169 away)
Referee: Oliver Mackey (England)
9 August 2025 2 Gillingham 1–0 Walsall Gillingham
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Priestfield Stadium
Attendance: 6,498 (372 away)
Referee: Ross Martin (England)
16 August 2025 3 Barnet 1–2 Walsall Edgware
15:00 BST
Report Stadium: The Hive Stadium
Attendance: 2,608 (806 away)
Referee: Abigail Byrne (England)
19 August 2025 4 Walsall v Grimsby Town Bescot
20:00 BST Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 19:45 kick-off, but was moved live Sky Sports broadcasting.[41]
23 August 2025 5 Walsall v Salford City Bescot
12:30 BST Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved live Sky Sports broadcasting.[41]

FA Cup

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

EFL Cup

Walsall were drawn away to Stoke City in the first round.[42][43]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

12 August 2025 First round Stoke City 0–0
(4–3 p)
Walsall Stoke-on-Trent
19:45 BST
Report Stadium: bet365 Stadium
Attendance: 8,809 (1,325 away)
Referee: James Bell
Penalties

EFL Trophy

Walsall were drawn against Northampton Town, Shrewsbury Town and Chelsea U21 in the group stage.[44]

Pos Div Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 L1 Northampton Town 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to Round 2
2 L2 Shrewsbury Town 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 L2 Walsall 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 ACA Chelsea U21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: EFL

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

2 September 2025 South Group C Shrewsbury Town v Walsall Shrewsbury
19:00 BST Stadium: New Meadow
7 October 2025 South Group C Walsall v Northampton Town Bescot
19:00 BST Stadium: Bescot Stadium
28 October 2025 South Group C Walsall v Chelsea U21 Bescot
19:00 GMT Stadium: Bescot Stadium

Statistics

Appearances and goals

As of match played 16 August 2025

Players with no appearances are not included on the list

No. Pos Nat Player Total League Two FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK England ENG Myles Roberts 3 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
2 DF England ENG Connor Barrett 4 2 3+0 2 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
3 DF England ENG Mason Hancock 3 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
4 DF England ENG Aden Flint 4 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
5 DF England ENG Harrison Burke 2 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
6 DF England ENG Priestley Farquharson 3 0 0+2 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
7 FW England ENG Jonny Stuttle 4 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
8 MF England ENG Charlie Lakin 3 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
9 FW Jamaica JAM Jamille Matt 3 0 0+2 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
10 FW England ENG Josh Gordon 2 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
12 GK England ENG Sam Hornby 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
14 MF Montserrat MSR Brandon Comley 3 0 2+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
16 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Ronan Maher 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
17 MF England ENG Courtney Clarke 4 0 0+3 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
18 MF Kenya KEN Vincent Harper 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
19 FW Scotland SCO Aaron Pressley 3 1 3+0 1 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
20 DF Wales WAL Daniel Cox 2 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0
22 MF England ENG Jamie Jellis 4 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
28 MF England ENG Lewis Warrington 3 0 1+2 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
30 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Evan Weir 2 1 2+0 1 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
32 MF Australia AUS Jake Hollman 3 0 0+2 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 0+0 0
33 DF Saint Kitts and Nevis SKN Rico Browne 2 0 2+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
37 FW Ghana GHA Albert Adomah 4 0 0+3 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 0+0 0

References

  1. ^ "Highly-rated Harrison Burke signs for the Saddlers". Walsall FC. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  2. ^ "Saddlers snap up Aaron Pressley from Stevenage". Walsall FC. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  3. ^ "Saddlers snap up Courtney Clarke". Walsall FC. 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Mason Hancock joins the Saddlers". Walsall FC. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  5. ^ "Vincent Harper signs for the Saddlers". Walsall FC. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  6. ^ "Saddlers snap up Aden Flint". Walsall FC. 21 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Exciting midfielder Jake Hollman joins the Saddlers". Walsall FC. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  8. ^ "Lewis Warrington joins the Saddlers from Leyton Orient". Walsall FC. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  9. ^ "Taylor Allen joins Wycombe Wanderers". Walsall FC. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  10. ^ "David Okagbue joins Peterborough United". Walsall FC. 21 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Myles Roberts joins on a season-long loan from Watford". Walsall FC. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  12. ^ "Jonny Stuttle joins on season-long loan from AFC Bournemouth". Walsall FC. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  13. ^ "Daniel Cox joins the Saddlers on loan from Derby County". Walsall FC. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Ryan Finnigan joins the Saddlers on loan from Blackpool". Walsall FC. 18 August 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  15. ^ "Charlie Wragg joins Halesowen Town on work experience loan". Walsall FC. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Levi Amantchi joins Rochdale on loan". Walsall FC. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  17. ^ a b "Dylan Thomas joins Worcester City on loan". Walsall FC. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  18. ^ a b c d e "Released & Retained List Confirmed". Walsall FC. 31 May 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  19. ^ "Defender Daniels Arrives". Oldham Athletic. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  20. ^ "Jack Earing Signs". Barrow AFC. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  21. ^ @WFCOfficial (12 June 2025). "Liam Gordon has rejected the offer of a new contract with us to join a League One Club" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 June 2025 – via Twitter.
  22. ^ "Liam Gordon is a Valiant!". Port Vale FC. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  23. ^ "Oisin McEntee departs". Walsall FC. 31 May 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  24. ^ "Ryan Stirk rejects offer of new contract". Walsall FC. 18 June 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  25. ^ "Midfielder agrees to join Spireites". Chesterfield FC. 18 June 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  26. ^ "Douglas James-Taylor to depart The Saddlers". Walsall FC. 29 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  27. ^ "Striker Douglas James-Taylor joins on multi-year contract". Bohemian FC. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  28. ^ "Danny Johnson Signs for Pools". Hartlepool United FC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  29. ^ "Jenson Kilroy signs first professional contract with the Saddlers". Walsall FC. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  30. ^ "Ronan Maher signs new deal". Walsall FC. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  31. ^ "Albert Adomah signs new contract with the Saddlers". Walsall FC. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  32. ^ "Jamille Matt signs new contract with the Saddlers". Walsall FC. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  33. ^ "Priestley Farquharson signs new deal". Walsall FC. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  34. ^ "Sam Hornby signs new two-year deal". Walsall FC. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  35. ^ "Saddlers to host Aston Villa in pre-season friendly". Walsall FC. 8 May 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
  36. ^ "Saddlers to visit Leamington in pre-season". Walsall FC. 10 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  37. ^ "Two friendlies added to pre-season schedule". Walsall FC. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  38. ^ "Saddlers to visit Forest Green Rovers in pre-season". Walsall FC. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  39. ^ "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". EFL. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  40. ^ "League Two 2025/26 fixtures, dates, schedule & how to watch: Barnet host Fleetwood in opening day clash live on Sky". Sky Sports. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  41. ^ a b "Two Saddlers Fixtures Selected for Live Sky Sports Coverage". Walsall FC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  42. ^ "Carabao Cup Round One confirmed". English Football League. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  43. ^ "Fixture Details Confirmed for Carabao Cup First Round". Walsall FC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  44. ^ "Under-21 teams and Group Stage draw confirmed for 2025/26 Vertu Trophy". English Football League. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.