2023–24 Walsall F.C. season explained

Club:Walsall
Season:2023–24
Owner:Trivela Group
Chairman:Benjamin Boycott
Leigh Pomlett
Manager:Mat Sadler[1]
Mgrtitle:Head Coach
Stadium:Bescot Stadium
League:League Two
League Result:11th
Cup1:FA Cup
Cup1 Result:Third round
Cup2:EFL Cup
Cup2 Result:First round
Cup3:EFL Trophy
Cup3 Result:Group stage
Pattern La1:_walsall2324h
Pattern B1:_walsall2324h
Pattern Ra1:_walsall2324h
Pattern Sh1:_walsall2324h
Pattern So1:_whitetop
Leftarm1:FF0000
Body1:FF0000
Rightarm1:FF0000
Shorts1:FF0000
Socks1:FF0000
Pattern La2:_walsall2324a
Pattern B2:_walsall2324a
Pattern Ra2:_walsall2324a
Pattern Sh2:_walsall2324a
Pattern So2:_redtop
Leftarm2:FFFFFF
Body2:FFFFFF
Rightarm2:FFFFFF
Shorts2:FFFFFF
Socks2:FFFFFF
Pattern La3:_walsall2324t
Pattern B3:_walsall2324t
Pattern Ra3:_walsall2324t
Pattern Sh3:_walsall2324t
Pattern So3:_whitetop
Leftarm3:008030
Body3:008030
Rightarm3:008030
Shorts3:008030
Socks3:008030
Prevseason:2022–23
Nextseason:2024–25

The 2023–24 season is the 136th season in the history of Walsall and their fifth consecutive season in League Two. The club are participating in 2023–24 EFL League Two, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the 2023–24 EFL Trophy.

Current squad

No.NamePositionNationalityPlace of birthDate of birth (Age)Previous clubDate signedFeeContract end
Goalkeepers
1 28 November 1996 1 July 2022 Undisclosed 30 June 2024
22 14 October 2001 21 July 2023 Undisclosed 30 June 2024
32 George Barrett Academy 25 November 2022 Trainee 30 June 2024
Defenders
2David Okagbue 5 October 2003 1 September 2023 Loan 31 May 2024
3 15 May 1999 1 July 2022 Free 30 June 2025
4 5 January 2001 1 July 2022 Free 30 June 2025
5 24 November 1993 24 January 2022 Undisclosed 30 June 2025
6 15 March 1997 1 July 2023 Free 30 June 2025
12 23 June 2003 Academy 1 July 2021 Trainee 30 June 2024
19 Harry Williams15 August 2002 20 July 2023 Undisclosed 30 June 2024
24 4 December 1997 4 January 2022 Undisclosed 30 June 2024
31 Cayden Bennett Academy 13 November 2023 Trainee 30 June 2024
36 16 September 2003 4 January 2024 Loan 31 May 2024
Midfielders
7 6 December 1996 1 July 2022 Free 30 June 2024
8 10 April 2000 1 July 2022 Free 30 June 2025
14 18 November 1995 1 July 2022 Free 30 June 2026
17 21 January 1999 1 July 2021 Undisclosed 30 June 2025
21 16 June 2000 1 July 2022 Free 30 June 2024
25 25 September 2000 1 July 2023 Free 30 June 2025
26 6 March 2001 24 July 2023 Loan 31 May 2024
27 Dylan Thomas Academy 22 August 2023 Trainee 30 June 2024
30 Jamie Jellis 12 January 2001 25 January 2024 Undisclosed 30 June 2025
Forwards
9 20 October 1989 13 January 2023 Undisclosed 30 June 2024
10 27 September 1998 4 August 2022 Undisclosed 30 June 2024
11 18 November 2001 1 July 2023 Free 30 June 2024
18 10 October 1994 11 January 2024 Loan 31 May 2024
20 10 September 1998 24 July 2023 Free 30 June 2024
23 11 February 2003 15 January 2024 Loan 31 May 2024
33 Jaiy Leydon Academy 13 November 2023 Trainee 30 June 2024
34 Charlie Wragg Academy 13 November 2023 Trainee 30 June 2024
39 28 February 1993 1 July 2023 Free 30 June 2025
Out on Loan
16 30 December 2004 Academy 1 July 2022 Trainee 30 June 2025
Evan Weir 16 April 2002 1 January 2024 Free 30 June 2025

Transfers

In

DatePosPlayerTransferred fromFeeRef
1 July 2023 Free Transfer [2]
1 July 2023 Free Transfer [3]
1 July 2023ST Douglas James-Taylor Stoke CityFree Transfer[4]
1 July 2023ST Danny Johnson Mansfield TownFree Transfer[5]
1 July 2023 Free Transfer [6]
20 July 2023CB Harry Williams AlvechurchUndisclosed[7]
21 July 2023 Undisclosed [8]
24 July 2023 Free Transfer [9]
1 January 2024LB Evan Weir Drogheda UnitedUndisclosed[10]
25 January 2024 Jamie Jellis Undisclosed [11]

Out

DatePosPlayerToFeeRef
30 June 2023 Released [12]
30 June 2023 Released [13]
30 June 2023 Released [14] [15]
30 June 2023 Solihull MoorsReleased [16]
30 June 2023 Released [17]
30 June 2023 Released [18]
30 June 2023 Jonas Mukuna FarnboroughReleased [19]
30 June 2023 WaterfordReleased
30 June 2023 Ebbsfleet UnitedReleased [20]
30 June 2023 Released [21]
30 June 2023 HerefordReleased [22]
21 July 2023 Free Transfer [23]
13 September 2023 Released [24] [25]
2 January 2024 Marvellous Onabirekhanlen Released [26] [27]

Loaned in

DatePosPlayerLoaned fromDate untilRef
7 July 2023 5 January 2024 [28] [29]
24 July 2023AM Ross Tierney MotherwellEnd of Season[30]
1 September 2023DM Harvey Griffiths Wolverhampton Wanderers2 January 2024[31] [32]
1 September 2023 David OkagbueEnd of Season [33]
4 January 2024CB Emmanuel Adegboyega Norwich CityEnd of Season[34]
11 January 2024 End of Season [35]
15 January 2024 End of Season [36]

Loaned out

DatePosPlayerLoaned toUntilRef
9 August 2023 Marvellous Onabirekhanlen 3 September 2023 [37]
25 August 2023 7 November 2023 [38] [39]
6 September 2023 Marvellous Onabirekhanlen 13 November 2023 [40] [41]
14 September 2023 George Barrett 12 October 2023 [42]
1 January 2024LB Evan Weir Drogheda UnitedEnd of Season
25 January 2024 12 March 2024 [43] [44]
26 January 2024 End of Season [45]

Pre-season and friendlies

On 23 May, Walsall announced their first pre-season friendly, against Solihull Moors.[46] Two further matches were added on June 2, against Leamington and Aston Villa.[47] In memory of Wayne Evans, a pre-season fixture against Rochdale was added.[48]

Competitions

League Two

See main article: 2023–24 EFL League Two.

Matches

On 22 June, the EFL League Two fixtures were released.[49]

FA Cup

See main article: 2023–24 FA Cup.

Walsall were drawn away to Sheppey United in the first round,[50] to Alfreton Town in the second round[51] and away to Southampton in the third round.[52] [53]

EFL Cup

See main article: 2023–24 EFL Cup.

Walsall were drawn away to Blackburn Rovers in the first round.[54]

EFL Trophy

See main article: 2023–24 EFL Trophy. In the group stage, Walsall were drawn into Southern Group A alongside Forest Green Rovers, Shrewsbury Town and Brighton & Hove Albion U21.[55]

Notes and References

  1. News: Mat Sadler appointed as new Saddlers Head Coach . 19 May 2023 . Walsall FC . 18 May 2023.
  2. News: Priestley Farquharson joins the Saddlers! . 23 June 2023 . Walsall FC . 23 June 2023.
  3. News: Chris Hussey joins the Saddlers! . 22 June 2023 . Walsall FC . 22 June 2023.
  4. Web site: Douglas James-Taylor returns to Walsall! . 2023-06-28 . www.saddlers.co.uk . en-gb.
  5. Web site: Danny Johnson returns to the Poundland Bescot Stadium! . 2023-06-28 . www.saddlers.co.uk . en-gb.
  6. News: Saddlers snap up Ryan Stirk as first summer signing . 16 June 2023 . Walsall FC . 16 June 2023.
  7. Web site: Harry Williams signs for the Saddlers! . 2023-07-20 . www.saddlers.co.uk . en-gb.
  8. News: Jackson Smith returns to Walsall! . 21 July 2023 . Walsall FC . 21 July 2023.
  9. News: Aramide Oteh returns to Walsall! . 24 July 2023 . Walsall FC . 24 July 2023.
  10. Web site: Evan Weir joins the Saddlers from Drogheda United . 2023-12-30 . www.saddlers.co.uk . en-gb.
  11. News: Jamie Jellis joins the Saddlers from Tamworth . 25 January 2024 . Walsall FC . 25 January 2024.
  12. News: Welcome, Timmy Abraham! . 1 July 2023 . Boreham Wood FC . 1 July 2023.
  13. News: Welcome to the Yellows, Peter Clarke . 31 July 2023 . Warrington Town FC . 28 July 2023.
  14. News: Released and Retained list . 19 May 2023 . Walsall FC . 19 May 2023.
  15. News: Town sign Liam Kinsella . 28 July 2023 . Swindon Town FC . 28 July 2023.
  16. News: Joss Labadie Signs for Solihull Moors . 19 July 2023 . Solihull Moors FC . 18 July 2023.
  17. News: Forest Green sign former Walsall midfielder Maddox . 7 August 2023 . British Broadcasting Corporation . 7 August 2023.
  18. News: Northampton Town Sign Defender Manny Monthe . 14 July 2023 . Northampton Town FC . 14 July 2023.
  19. Web site: One in, one out . 2024-01-04 . farnboroughfc.co.uk . en-GB.
  20. News: White takes flight on the right . 1 July 2023 . Ebbsfleet United FC . 27 June 2023.
  21. News: Motherwell sign striker Wilkinson on two-year deal . 5 July 2023 . British Broadcasting Corporation . 4 July 2023.
  22. News: Andy Williams is Back at Edgar Street . 1 July 2023 . Hereford FC . 6 June 2023.
  23. News: Alvechurch Snap Up Young Striker . 24 July 2023 . Southern Football League . 21 July 2023.
  24. News: Walsall defender Hussey announces retirement . 14 September 2023 . British Broadcasting Corporation . 13 September 2023.
  25. Web site: THE BARDS WELCOME CHRIS HUSSEY 'A MASSIVE SIGNING' SAYS GAV. www.stratfordtownfc.co.uk. 22 September 2023. 25 September 2023.
  26. News: Marvellous Onabirekhanlen departs . 2 January 2024 . Walsall FC . 2 January 2024.
  27. News: Marvellous signing for Sporting Khalsa . 3 January 2024 . The Northern Premier League . 3 January 2024.
  28. News: Freddie Draper joins the Saddlers on a season-long loan! . 8 July 2023 . Walsall FC . 7 July 2023.
  29. News: Freddie Draper recalled by parent club Lincoln City . 5 January 2024 . Walsall FC . 5 January 2024.
  30. Web site: Ross Tierney joins the Saddlers on loan from Motherwell . 2023-07-24 . www.saddlers.co.uk . en-gb.
  31. Web site: Harvey Griffiths joins the Saddlers on loan from Wolves . 2023-09-01 . www.saddlers.co.uk . en-gb.
  32. News: Harvey Griffiths returns to Wolverhampton Wanderers . 2 January 2024 . Walsall FC . 2 January 2024.
  33. News: Saddlers sign David Okagbue on loan from Stoke City . 1 September 2023 . Walsall FC . 1 September 2023.
  34. Web site: Emmanuel Adegboyega joins the Saddlers . 2024-01-04 . www.saddlers.co.uk . en-gb.
  35. News: Josh Gordon returns to Walsall! . 11 January 2024 . Walsall FC . 11 January 2024.
  36. News: Mo Faal joins the Saddlers on loan from West Bromwich Albion . 15 January 2024 . Walsall FC . 15 January 2024.
  37. News: Marvellous Onabirekhanlen joins Stourbridge on youth loan . 9 August 2023 . Walsall FC . 9 August 2023.
  38. News: Ronan Maher joins Rushall Olympic on loan . 25 August 2023 . Walsall FC . 25 August 2023.
  39. News: Ronan Maher returns from loan spell with Rushall Olympic . 9 November 2023 . Walsall FC . 7 November 2023.
  40. News: Marvellous Onabirekhanlen joins Chasetown on loan . 6 September 2023 . Walsall FC . 6 September 2023.
  41. News: Marvellous Onabirekhanlen extends Chasetown loan . 17 October 2023 . Walsall FC . 16 October 2023.
  42. News: George Barrett joins Paget Rangers on loan . 14 September 2023 . Walsall FC . 14 September 2023.
  43. News: Rollin Menayese joins Aldershot on loan . 25 January 2024 . Walsall FC . 25 January 2024.
  44. News: Rollin Menayese recalled from loan at Aldershot . 14 March 2024 . Walsall FC . 12 March 2024.
  45. News: Ronan Maher returns to Rushall Olympic on loan . 27 January 2024 . Walsall FC . 26 January 2024.
  46. News: Saddlers to visit Solihull Moors in pre-season . 23 May 2023 . Walsall FC . 23 May 2023.
  47. News: Saddlers to face Leamington and Aston Villa in pre-season . 2 June 2023 . Walsall FC . 2 June 2023.
  48. News: Rochdale game added in memory of Wayne Evans . 6 July 2023 . Walsall FC . 6 July 2023.
  49. News: 2023/24 fixtures revealed! . 22 June 2023 . Walsall FC . 22 June 2023.
  50. News: Saddlers to travel to Billericay or Sheppey in FA Cup . 17 October 2023 . Walsall FC . 15 October 2023.
  51. News: Date and Kick-off time confirmed for Emirates FA Cup trip to Alfreton Town . 10 November 2023 . Walsall FC . 10 November 2023.
  52. News: Southampton await winners of Alfreton v Walsall . 14 December 2023 . Walsall FC . 3 December 2023.
  53. News: Southampton ticket details & date confirmed . 14 December 2023 . Walsall FC . 13 December 2023.
  54. News: Saddlers to visit Blackburn Rovers in Carabao Cup first round . 22 June 2023 . Walsall FC . 22 June 2023.
  55. News: Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy information . 21 June 2023 . Walsall FC . 21 June 2023.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "2023–24 Walsall F.C. season".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.