2015–16 Walsall F.C. season

Last updated

Walsall
2015–16 season
ChairmanJeff Bonser
Manager Dean Smith
(Until 30 November 2015)
John Ward
(From 30 November–Until 18 December 2015)
Sean O'Driscoll
(From 18 December 2015–Until 6 March 2016)
Jon Whitney
(From 6 March 2016)
Stadium Bescot Stadium
League One 3rd
Play-offs Semi-finals
FA Cup Fourth round
League Cup Third round
FL Trophy First round
(eliminated by Morecambe)
Top goalscorerLeague: Tom Bradshaw (17)
All: Tom Bradshaw (20)
←  2014–15
2016–17  →

The 2015–16 season was an eventful one for Walsall. The club had four different managers on the way to a third-place finish in League One, one point away from promotion. Defeat to Barnsley in the playoff semi-finals meant the campaign ended in disappointment, but still represented the Saddlers' highest league placing in 12 years.

Contents

Story of the season

The summer of 2015 saw relatively minor changes to the Saddlers squad. 2014-15 Player of the Year Richard O'Donnell departed and was replaced by Neil Etheridge, while other notable incomings included fullback Jason Demetriou and the return of forward Milan Lalkovic.

Strong start

Things got off to a flying start, with the Saddlers winning six of their first seven games in all competitions. This included League Cup wins over Championship opponents Nottingham Forest and Brighton, setting up a third round meeting with reigning Premier League champions Chelsea. Walsall were beaten 4–1, but received praise from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho for the club’s attractive style of play. [1]

Managerial merry go round

The Saddlers’ good form continued and a 2–1 win over Bradford in late November left the club in fourth, three points of the top with a game in hand. However, just two days later it was announced that manager Dean Smith was leaving to charge at Championship Brentford. A caretaker trio of Jon Whitney, Neil Cutler and John Ward oversaw victory away at rivals Shrewsbury and progress to the FA Cup third round, before Sean O'Driscoll was appointed as Smith’s replacement.

The new boss got off to a bright start, with three successive wins and clean sheets. The Saddlers also got the better of old boss Smith with a 1–0 win away at Brentford in the FA Cup third round. However, things soon took a turn for the worse with the club going on a run of just two wins in 11 games. After just 16 games in charge, O’Driscoll was dismissed with the club sitting fourth five points off an automatic promotion spot with a game in hand.

Pipped by a point

Whitney was placed in temporary charge until the end of the season and the team responded with three successive victories. With league leaders Wigan Athletic having pulled away, the Saddlers were left to battle with Burton Albion and Gillingham for second spot. While the latter’s challenge faded, Burton matched the Saddlers’ efforts, meaning Walsall went into the final day of the season needing to overturn a three point deficit as well as achieving a goal difference swing of three goals on the Brewers. A 5–0 win away at Port Vale achieved the latter, but Burton’s 0–0 draw with Doncaster saw them promoted ahead of the Saddlers by one point.

A third-place finish meant Walsall would take on in-form Barnsley in the playoffs. The Tykes proved too much for the Saddlers, convincingly winning 3–0 at Oakwell and 3–1 at the Bescot. The Yorkshire side would go on to gain promotion by beating Millwall in the final.

The Saddlers’ young fullback Rico Hery and playmaker Romaine Sawyers were included in the official League one Team of the Season. [2]

Transfers

Transfers in

Date fromPositionNationalityNameFromFeeRef.
1 July 2015RBFlag of Cyprus.svg CYP Jason Demetriou Anorthosis Famagusta Free transfer [3]
1 July 2015AMFlag of England.svg ENG Levi Rowley Academy Trainee [4]
1 July 2015CBFlag of England.svg ENG Kyle RowleyAcademyTrainee [5]
2 July 2015GKFlag of the Philippines.svg PHI Neil Etheridge Charlton Athletic Free transfer [6]
16 July 2015RWFlag of Slovakia.svg SVK Milan Lalkovič Barnsley Free transfer [7]
3 September 2015MFFlag of England.svg ENG Isaiah Osbourne Scunthorpe United Free transfer [8]

Loans in

Date fromPositionNationalityNameFromDate untilRef.
20 October 2015MFFlag of England.svg ENG George Evans Manchester City 16 January 2016 [9] [10] [11] [12]
28 January 2016MFFlag of England.svg ENG Bryn Morris Middlesbrough 28 March 2016 [13]
25 February 2016MFFlag of England.svg ENG Josh Wakefield AFC Bournemouth End of season [14]
4 March 2016FWFlag of England.svg ENG Jordy Hiwula Huddersfield Town End of season [15]
24 March 2016DFFlag of England.svg ENG Matthew Pennington Everton End of season [16]

Transfers out

Date fromPositionNationalityNameToFeeRef.
1 July 2015LBFlag of England.svg ENG Mal Benning Mansfield Town [a] Free transfer [18]
1 July 2015AMFlag of England.svg ENG Ashley Grimes Barrow [b] Free transfer [18]
1 July 2015CMFlag of England.svg ENG Jake Heath Rushall Olympic Free Transfer [18]
1 July 2015GKFlag of England.svg ENG Richard O'Donnell Wigan Athletic [c] Free transfer [21]
1 July 2015RBFlag of England.svg ENG Ben Purkiss Port Vale [d] Free transfer [18]
17 July 2015CBFlag of England.svg ENG James Chambers Retired N/a [23]
  1. ↑ Following Benning's release on 5 May 2015, he later signed for Mansfield Town on 22 May 2015. [17]
  2. ↑ Following Grimes' release on 5 May 2015, he later signed for Barrow on 16 July 2015. [19]
  3. ↑ Following O'Donnell's release on 21 May 2015, he later signed for Wigan Athletic on 22 May 2015. [20]
  4. ↑ Following Purkiss' release on 5 May 2015, he later signed for Port Vale on 24 June 2015. [22]

Loans out

Date fromPositionNationalityNameToDate untilRef.
7 August 2015CBFlag of England.svg ENG Kyle Rowley Sutton Coldfield Town 4 September 2015 [24]
15 August 2015FWFlag of Sierra Leone.svg SLE Amadou Bakayoko AFC Telford United September 2015 [25] [26]
9 October 2015FWFlag of England.svg ENG Jordan Murphy Kidderminster Harriers 3 December 2015 [27] [28] [29]
8 January 2016FWFlag of England.svg ENG Jordan Murphy Worcester City End of season [30] [31] [32]
9 January 2016FWFlag of England.svg ENG James Baxendale Mansfield Town 1 February 2016 [33] [34]
15 January 2016FWFlag of Sierra Leone.svg SLE Amadou Bakayoko Worcester City End of season [35] [31] [32]

Competitions

Pre-season friendlies

On 7 May 2015, Walsall announced a pre-season friendly against Luton Town. Also Walsall would face West Bromwich Albion, AFC Telford United, Rushall Olympic and Chasetown. [36] On 28 May 2015, Walsall added Aston Villa to their pre-season schedule. [37]

21 July 2015 (2015-07-21) Friendly AFC Telford United 1–0 Walsall Telford
19:45 GMT Goddard Soccerball shade.svg43' (pen.) Report Stadium: New Bucks Head
22 July 2015 (2015-07-22) Friendly Rushall Olympic 0–2 Walsall XI Rushall
19:45 GMT Report Murphy Soccerball shade.svg
Bakayoko Soccerball shade.svg		Stadium: Dales Lane
25 July 2015 (2015-07-25) Friendly Walsall 1–1 Aston Villa Walsall
15:00 GMT Forde Soccerball shade.svg Report Robinson Soccerball shade.svgStadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 6,606
28 July 2015 (2015-07-28) Friendly Walsall 0–2 West Bromwich Albion Walsall
19:45 BST Report Berahino Soccerball shade.svg61'
Ideye Soccerball shade.svg		Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 5,209
1 August 2015 (2015-08-01) Friendly Luton Town 0–1 Walsall Luton
15:00 GMT Report Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg5'Stadium: Kenilworth Road
Attendance: 2,180 (149 Walsall)

League One

League table

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion, qualification or relegation
1 Wigan Athletic (C, P)46241578245+3787Promotion to EFL Championship
2 Burton Albion (P)462510115737+2085
3 Walsall 462412107149+2284Qualification for the League One play-offs [a]
4 Millwall 46249137349+2481
5 Bradford City 462311125540+1580
Updated to match(es) played on 1 July 2016. Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. ↑ Four teams play for one spot and promotion to Football League Championship.

Matches

On 17 June 2015, the fixtures for the forthcoming season were announced. [38]

8 August 2015 (2015-08-08)1 Walsall 1–1 Oldham Athletic Bescot
15:00 BST Sawyers Soccerball shade.svg8' Report Forte Soccerball shade.svg83'Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 5,009
Referee: Mark Brown
15 August 2015 (2015-08-15)2 Southend United 0–2 Walsall Southend-on-Sea
15:00 BST Report Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg8'
Mantom Soccerball shade.svg48'		Stadium: Roots Hall
Attendance: 6,149
Referee: Andy Davies
18 August 2015 (2015-08-18)3 Rochdale 1–2 Walsall Rochdale
19:45 BST Andrew Soccerball shade.svg80' Report Taylor Soccerball shade.svg65'
Mantom Soccerball shade.svg71'		Stadium: Spotland
Attendance: 2,381
Referee: David Webb
22 August 2015 (2015-08-22)4 Walsall 2–1 Coventry City Bescot
15:00 BST Forde Soccerball shade.svg40'
Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg52'		 Report Murphy Soccerball shade.svg56'Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 7,176
Referee: Jeremy Simpson
29 August 2015 (2015-08-29)5 Blackpool 0–4 Walsall Blackpool
15:00 BST Report Sawyers Soccerball shade.svg25', 74'
Aldred Soccerball shade.svg57' (o.g.)
Mantom Soccerball shade.svg67'		Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Attendance: 7,489
Referee: Eddie Ilderton
5 September 2015 (2015-09-05)6 Walsall 0–1 Bury Bescot
15:00 BST Report Jones Soccerball shade.svg6'Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 4,829
Referee: Fred Graham
12 September 2015 (2015-09-12)7 Walsall 2–0 Doncaster Rovers Bescot
15:00 BST Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg85', 90' Report Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 4,127
Referee: Kevin Wright
19 September 2015 (2015-09-19)8 Peterborough United 1–1 Walsall Peterborough
15:00 BST Bostwick Soccerball shade.svg87' (pen.)
J. Anderson Red card.svg 84'		 Report Sawyers Soccerball shade.svg53'Stadium: London Road Stadium
Attendance: 5,859
Referee: Mark Heywood
26 September 2015 (2015-09-26)9 Walsall 1–1 Crewe Alexandra Bescot
15:00 BST Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg3' Report Nugent Soccerball shade.svg18'Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 4,229
Referee: James Linington
29 September 2015 (2015-09-29)10 Scunthorpe United 0–1 Walsall Scunthorpe
19:45 BST Report Henry Soccerball shade.svg27'Stadium: Glanford Park
Attendance: 2,596
Referee: Paul Tierney (referee)
3 October 2015 (2015-10-03)11 Wigan Athletic 0–0 Walsall Wigan
15:00 Morgan Red card.svg 69' Report Stadium: DW Stadium
Attendance: 8,636
Referee: Andy Haines
10 October 2015 (2015-10-10)12 Walsall 2–0 Burton Albion Walsall
15:00 Kinsella Soccerball shade.svg36'
Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg90+2' (pen.)		 Report Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 6,812
Referee: Tim Robinson
17 October 2015 (2015-10-17)13 Walsall 1–2 Chesterfield Walsall
15:00 BST Preston Soccerball shade.svg90+3' Report Ebanks-Blake Soccerball shade.svg5'
Evatt Soccerball shade.svg54'		Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 4,766
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
20 October 201514 Barnsley 0–2 Walsall Barnsley
19:45 BST Report Evans Soccerball shade.svg62'
Lalkovič Soccerball shade.svg70'		Stadium: Oakwell
Attendance: 8,561
Referee: Scott Duncan (referee)
24 October 2015 (2015-10-24)15 Colchester 4–4 Walsall Colchester
15:00 BST Moncur Soccerball shade.svg49'
Sordell Soccerball shade.svg52'
Garvan Soccerball shade.svg60'
Ambrose Soccerball shade.svg80'		 Report Sawyers Soccerball shade.svg11'
Lalkovič Soccerball shade.svg30'
Evans Soccerball shade.svg57'
O'Connor Soccerball shade.svg90+1'		Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,630
Referee: Seb Stockbridge
24 October 2015 (2015-10-24)16 Walsall 3–2 Gillingham Walsall
15:00 BST Morris Soccerball shade.svg37'
Lalkovič Soccerball shade.svg38'
Demetriou Soccerball shade.svg90+1'		 Report McDonald Soccerball shade.svg12'
Dack Soccerball shade.svg32' (pen.)		Stadium: Banks's Stadium
Attendance: 6,663
Referee: Darren Drysdale
21 November 2015 (2015-11-21)17 Walsall 1–1 Sheffield United Bescot
15:00 GMT Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg51' Report Baxter Soccerball shade.svg66'Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 5,780
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
24 November 2015 (2015-11-24)18 Swindon Town 2–1 Walsall Swindon
19:45 GMT Obika Soccerball shade.svg17'
Thompson Soccerball shade.svg90'		 Report Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg61'Stadium: County Ground
Attendance: 6,957
Referee: Iain Williamson
28 November 2015 (2015-11-28)19 Walsall 2–1 Bradford Bescot
15:00 GMT Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg11'
Lalkovič Soccerball shade.svg73'		 Report Evans Soccerball shade.svg64'Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 4,668
Referee: Mark Brown
1 December 2015 (2015-12-01)20 Shrewsbury 1–3 Walsall Shrewsbury
19:45 GMT Cole Soccerball shade.svg40' Report Lalkovič Soccerball shade.svg45'
Downing Soccerball shade.svg80'
Cook Soccerball shade.svg90'		Stadium: New Meadow
Attendance: 6,078
Referee: Peter Bankes
12 December 2015 (2015-12-12)21 Postponed Fleetwood Town P–P Walsall Fleetwood
15:00 GMT Report Stadium: Highbury Stadium
20 December 2015=22 Walsall 2–0 Port Vale Walsall
12:00 GMT Cook Soccerball shade.svg64'Soccerball shade.svg83' Report O'Connor Yellow card.svg 75'
McGivern Yellow card.svg 85'		Stadium: Banks's Stadium
Attendance: 4,436
Referee: Kevin Wright
26 December 2015=23 Millwall 0–1 Walsall London
15:00 GMT Upson Yellow card.svg 81' Report Lalkovič Soccerball shade.svg29'Yellow card.svg 46'
Evans Yellow card.svg 52'		Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 8,364
Referee: Gavin Ward
28 December 2015=24 Walsall 2–0 Peterborough United Walsall
15:00 GMT Demetriou Soccerball shade.svg80'
Evans Soccerball shade.svg89'
Sawyers Yellow card.svg 90+2'		 Report Washington Yellow card.svg 83'
Forrester Yellow card.svg 90+2'
Smith Yellow card.svg 90+2'		Stadium: Banks's Stadium
Attendance: 6,142
Referee: Darren England
2 January 2016=25 Walsall 0–3 Rochdale Walsall
15:00 GMT Report Henderson Soccerball shade.svg3'
McDermott Yellow card.svg 35'
Andrew Soccerball shade.svg58'Soccerball shade.svg77'Yellow card.svg 90+1'
Cannon Yellow card.svg 67'
Vincenti Yellow card.svg 82'		Stadium: Banks's Stadium
Attendance: 4,857
Referee: Graham Salisbury
12 January 2016=26 Coventry City 1–1 Walsall Coventry
19:45 GMT Stokes Soccerball shade.svg34' Report Chambers Yellow card.svg 65'
Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg81'
Demetriou Yellow card.svg 88'		Stadium: Ricoh Arena
Attendance: 15,671
Referee: Tony Harrington
16 January 2016=27 Bury 2–3 Walsall Bury
15:00 GMT Rose Yellow card.svg 57'
Clarke Soccerball shade.svg65'Soccerball shade.svg66'
Lawlor Yellow card.svg 70'		 Report Hussey Soccerball shade.svg16' (o.g.)
Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg30'
Forde Soccerball shade.svg42'		Stadium: Gigg Lane
Attendance: 3,532
Referee: Mark Haywood
23 January 2016=28 Walsall 1–1 Blackpool Walsall
15:00 GMT Chambers Yellow card.svg 34'
Taylor Yellow card.svg 45+1'
Demetriou Soccerball shade.svg66'
Downing Yellow card.svg 90+3'		 Report Norris Yellow card.svg 18'
Aldred Yellow card.svg 48'
McAlister Yellow card.svg 85'
Philliskirk Soccerball shade.svg90+4'		Stadium: Banks's Stadium
Attendance: 5,022
Referee: Dean Whitestone
2 February 2016=29 Doncaster Rovers 1–2 Walsall Doncaster
19:45 GMT Mandeville Soccerball shade.svg80' Report Mantom Soccerball shade.svg61'
Taylor Soccerball shade.svg65'		Stadium: Keepmoat Stadium
Attendance: 5,056
Referee: Ben Toner
6 February 201630 Walsall 0–3 Millwall Walsall
15:00 GMT Report Romeo Yellow card.svg 14', Soccerball shade.svg70'
Gregory Soccerball shade.svg61', 77'		Stadium: Banks's Stadium
Attendance: 4,843
Referee: Trevor Kettle
13 February 201631 Crewe Alexandra 1–1 Walsall Crewe
15:00 GMT Inman Soccerball shade.svg49' Report Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg32' (pen.)Stadium: Alexandra Stadium
Attendance: 5,123
Referee: Darren Handley
20 February 201632 Walsall 1–2 Wigan Athletic Walsall
15:00 GMT Mantom Yellow card.svg 8'Soccerball shade.svg68'
Lalkovič Yellow card.svg 10'
Chambers Yellow card.svg 44'
Preston Yellow card.svg 65'
Demetriou Yellow card.svg 90+4'		 Report Perkins Yellow card.svg 14'
McAleny Soccerball shade.svg39'
Wildschut Soccerball shade.svg90+1'		Stadium: Banks's Stadium
Attendance: 6,740
Referee: Ian Williamson
27 February 201633 Burton Albion 0–0 Walsall Burton upon Trent
15:00 GMT Report Downing Yellow card.svg 81'Stadium: Pirelli Stadium
Attendance: 5,512
Referee: James Adcock
1 March 201634 Walsall 0–0 Scunthorpe United Walsall
19:45 GMT Report Stadium: Banks's Stadium
Attendance: 3,868
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
5 March 201635 Walsall 1–3 Barnsley Walsall
15:00 GMT Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg28' Report Fletcher Soccerball shade.svg17'
Brownhill Soccerball shade.svg50'
Harry Chapman Soccerball shade.svg56'
Callum Connolly Yellow card.svg 79'		Stadium: Banks's Stadium
Attendance: 5,199
Referee: Gavin Ward
12 March 201636 Chesterfield 1–4 Walsall Chesterfield
15:00 GMT O'Connor Soccerball shade.svg19' (o.g.)
Banks Yellow card.svg 59'
Hird Yellow card.svg 60'
Donohue Red card.svg 61'
Novak Yellow card.svg 68'		 Report Anderson Soccerball shade.svg35' (o.g.)
Mantom Soccerball shade.svg57'Yellow card.svg 60'Soccerball shade.svg75'
Hiwula Soccerball shade.svg71'		Stadium: Proact Stadium
Attendance: 6,938
Referee: Ross Joyce
15 March 201621 Fleetwood Town 0–1 Walsall Fleetwood
19:45 GMT Report Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg49'Stadium: Highbury Stadium
Attendance: 2,569
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
19 March 201637 Walsall 2–1 Colchester United Walsall
15:00 GMT Sawyers Yellow card.svg 74'
Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg89'Yellow card.svg 90+1'
Preston Soccerball shade.svg90+4'
Etheridge Yellow card.svg 90+6'		 Report Gilbey Yellow card.svg 30'Soccerball shade.svg45+1'
Edwards Yellow card.svg 86'		Stadium: Banks's Stadium
Attendance: 5,818
Referee: Andy Haines
2 April 201638 Sheffield United 2–0 Walsall Sheffield
15:00 GMT Basham Soccerball shade.svg31'
Sharp Soccerball shade.svg36'
Hammond Yellow card.svg 56'
McEveley Yellow card.svg 84'		 Report Pennington Yellow card.svg 71'Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 19,214
Referee: Lee Swabey
9 April 201639 Oldham Athletic 1–0 Walsall Oldham
15:00 GMT Main Soccerball shade.svg63'
Gerrard Yellow card.svg 78'
Dummigan Yellow card.svg 83'
Jones Yellow card.svg 85'		 Report Stadium: Boundary Park
Attendance: 4,396
Referee: Ben Toner
12 April 201640 Gillingham 1–2 Walsall Gillingham, Kent
19:45 GMT Norris Soccerball shade.svg90+5'
Dickenson Yellow card.svg 90+7'		 Report Chambers Yellow card.svg 47'
Lalkovič Soccerball shade.svg68'
Hiwula Soccerball shade.svg77'
Demetriou Yellow card.svg 90+6'		Stadium: MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Attendance: 6,246
Referee: Stuart Attwell
16 April 201641 Walsall 1–0 Southend United Walsall
15:00 GMT Chambers Yellow card.svg 77'
Morris Yellow card.svg 85'
Hiwula Soccerball shade.svg88'		 Report Atkinson Yellow card.svg 31'
Deegan Yellow card.svg 81'		Stadium: Banks's Stadium
Attendance: 5,732
Referee: Keith Hill
19 April 201642 Walsall 1–1 Swindon Town Walsall
19:45 GMT Forde Yellow card.svg 60'
Morris Soccerball shade.svg71'		 Report Doughty Soccerball shade.svg59'
Barry Yellow card.svg 64'		Stadium: Banks's Stadium
Attendance: 5,095
Referee: Nick Kinseley
23 April 201643 Bradford City 4–0 Walsall Bradford
15:00 GMT Burke Yellow card.svg 31'
Morais Soccerball shade.svg54'
Hanson Soccerball shade.svg58', 72', 73'
Proctor Yellow card.svg 90+3'		 Report Taylor Yellow card.svg 53'
Downing Yellow card.svg 90'		Stadium: Coral Windows Stadium
Attendance: 19,336
Referee: Darren Drysdale
26 April 201644 Walsall 2–1 Shrewsbury Town Walsall
19:45 GMT K. Morris Soccerball shade.svg11'
Henry Soccerball shade.svg44'
Cook Yellow card.svg 90+2'		 Report Wesolowski Yellow card.svg 27'
Sadler Soccerball shade.svg60'
Black Yellow card.svg 77'		Stadium: Banks's Stadium
Attendance: 5,339
Referee: David Coote
2 May 201645 Walsall 3–1 Fleetwood Town Walsall
12:15 GMT Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg2'
Downing Soccerball shade.svg18'
Sawyers Soccerball shade.svg58'		 Report Ball Yellow card.svg 79'
Cole Soccerball shade.svg84'		Stadium: Banks's Stadium
Attendance: 6,628
Referee: Tim Robinson
8 May 201646 Port Vale 0–5 Walsall Burslem
12:30 GMT Duffy Yellow card.svg 45+1'
Foley Yellow card.svg 60'		 Report Downing Soccerball shade.svg23'
Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg26'
Forde Soccerball shade.svg38'Soccerball shade.svg67'
Mantom Soccerball shade.svg71'
Hiwula Yellow card.svg 84'		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 8,595
Referee: Nigel Miller

Play Off

14 May 2016First Leg Barnsley 3–0 Walsall Barnsley
17:30 GMT Demetriou Soccerball shade.svg45' (o.g.)
Winnall Soccerball shade.svg54', 55'		 Report Stadium: Oakwell
Attendance: 16,051
Referee: Peter Bankes
19 May 2016Second Leg Walsall 1–3 Barnsley Walsall
19:45 GMT Cook Soccerball shade.svg85' Report Hammill Soccerball shade.svg18'
Fletcher Soccerball shade.svg66'
Brownhill Soccerball shade.svg90'		Stadium: Banks's Stadium
Attendance: 8,022
Referee: Darren Deadman

FA Cup

7 November 2015 (2015-11-07)First round Walsall 2–0 Fleetwood Town Blowick
15:00 GMT Evans Soccerball shade.svg19'
Forde Soccerball shade.svg90+2'		 Report Stadium: Merseyrail Community Stadium
Attendance: 2,532
Referee: Ross Joyce
5 December 2015 (2015-12-05)Second round Chesterfield 1–1 Walsall Chesterfield
15:00 GMT Novak Soccerball shade.svg90+3' Report Demetriou Soccerball shade.svg19'Stadium: Proact Stadium
Attendance: 4,126
Referee: Richard Clark
15 December 2015 (2015-12-15)Second round replay Walsall 0–0
(5–3 p)		 Chesterfield Walsall
19:45 GMT Report Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 2,953
Referee: Charles Breakspear
Penalties
Sawyers Soccerball shad check.svg
Demetriou Soccerball shad check.svg
Evans Soccerball shad check.svg
Lalkovič Soccerball shad check.svg
Downing Soccerball shad check.svg		 O'Shea Soccerball shad check.svg
Morsy Soccerball shade cross.svg
Novak Soccerball shad check.svg
O'Neil Soccerball shad check.svg
9 January 2016Third round Brentford 0–1 Walsall Brentford
15:00 GMT Report Mantom Soccerball shade.svg34'Yellow card.svg 55' Yellow-red card.svg
Bradshaw Yellow card.svg 60'		Stadium: Griffin Park
Attendance: 7,950
Referee: Andrew Davies
30 January 2016Fourth round Reading 4–0 Walsall Reading
15:00 GMT Robson-Kanu Soccerball shade.svg37'
Vydra Soccerball shade.svg40'Soccerball shade.svg89'
Ferdinand Yellow card.svg 58'
Williams Soccerball shade.svg75'		 Report Demetriou Yellow card.svg 35'
Chambers Yellow card.svg 59'		Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Attendance: 13,367
Referee: Peter Bankes

League Cup

On 16 June 2015, the first round draw was made, Walsall were drawn away against Nottingham Forest. [39] In the second round Walsall were drawn at home against Brighton & Hove Albion. [40]

11 August 2015 (2015-08-11)First round Nottingham Forest 3–4 Walsall Nottingham
19:45 BST Walker Soccerball shade.svg32'
Antonio Soccerball shade.svg81', 90'		 Report Bradshaw Soccerball shade.svg11', 14', 90' (pen.)
Sawyers Soccerball shade.svg79'		Stadium: City Ground
Attendance: 5,237
Referee: Darren Handley
25 August 2015 (2015-08-25)Second round Walsall 2–1 Brighton & Hove Albion Bescot
19:45 BST Lalkovič Soccerball shade.svg65'
Henry Soccerball shade.svg86'		 Report Forster-Caskey Soccerball shade.svg39' (pen.)Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 2,968
Referee: Peter Bankes
23 September 2015 Third round Walsall 1–4 Chelsea Walsall
19:45 BST O'Connor Soccerball shade.svg45' Report Ramires Soccerball shade.svg10'
Rémy Soccerball shade.svg41'
Nunes do Nascimento Soccerball shade.svg52'
Pedro Soccerball shade.svg90'		Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 10,525
Referee: Lee Mason

Football League Trophy

On 8 August 2015, live on Soccer AM the draw for the first round of the Football League Trophy was drawn by Toni Duggan and Alex Scott.

1 September 2015 (2015-09-01)First round Morecambe 2–0 Walsall Morecambe
19:45 BST Devitt Soccerball shade.svg57'
Barkhuizen Soccerball shade.svg72'		 Report Stadium: Globe Arena
Attendance: 1,332
Referee: Seb Stockbridge

Birmingham Senior Cup

On the Birmingham FA website the first round details were announced, Walsall will face Rugby Town. [41]

6 October 2015First round Rugby Town 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(2–4 p)		 Walsall Rugby
19:45 BST Report Stadium: Butlin Road
25 November 2015Second round Stafford Town 2–0 Walsall Stafford
19:45 BST Report Stadium: Evans Park

Squad statistics

Source: [42] [43]
Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute.
Players with squad numbers struck through and marked † left the club during the playing season.
Players with names in italics and marked * were on loan from another club for the whole of their season with Walsall.
Players listed with no appearances have been in the matchday squad but only as unused substitutes.
Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward
No.Pos.Nat.NameAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals Yellow card.svg Red card.svg
LeagueFA CupLeague CupFL TrophyPlay-offsTotalDiscipline
1GKFlag of the Philippines.svg PHI Neil Etheridge 4005030002050030
2DFFlag of Cyprus.svg CYP Jason Demetriou 42 (1)34130002051 (1)480
3DFFlag of England.svg ENG Andy Taylor 33 (1)22 (1)000101037 (2)240
4DFFlag of England.svg ENG James O'Connor 3714031102047230
5†DFFlag of England.svg ENG Matthew Pennington *50000000005010
6DFFlag of England.svg ENG Paul Downing 4635030002056370
7MFFlag of England.svg ENG Adam Chambers 4505030102056080
8MFFlag of England.svg ENG Sam Mantom 33 (4)83 (1)130101 (1)042 (5)940
9FWFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg WAL Tom Bradshaw 38 (3)173023102046 (3)2020
10MFFlag of Saint Kitts and Nevis.svg SKN Romaine Sawyers 45 (1)6501 (2)10 (1)02053 (4)740
11†MFFlag of England.svg ENG James Baxendale 0 (3)00 (1)00 (1)00 (1)0000 (6)000
12MFFlag of Ireland.svg IRL Anthony Forde 26 (15)42 (3)10 (2)00 (1)01 (1)029 (22)520
13GKFlag of England.svg ENG Craig MacGillivray 500 (2)00010006 (2)000
14DFFlag of England.svg ENG Rico Henry 30 (5)24031002039 (5)310
15MFFlag of Slovakia.svg SVK Milan Lalkovič 27 (13)73 (1)031101 (1)035 (15)840
16DFFlag of England.svg ENG Matt Preston 4 (6)2100 (1)010006 (7)210
17MFFlag of England.svg ENG Reece Flanagan 8 (6)0002 (1)0000010 (7)000
18MFFlag of England.svg ENG Kieron Morris 12 (21)32 (2)030101019 (23)330
20FWFlag of Sierra Leone.svg SLE Amadou Bakayoko 000 (1)00000000 (1)000
21FWFlag of England.svg ENG Jordan Cook 5 (29)32 (2)01 (2)00 (1)00 (2)18 (36)420
22MFFlag of Ireland.svg IRL Liam Kinsella 4 (3)1100010006 (3)100
23GKFlag of England.svg ENG Liam Roberts 10000000001000
26MFFlag of England.svg ENG Isaiah Osbourne 00000000000000
27†MFFlag of England.svg ENG George Evans *1234100000016440
27MFFlag of England.svg ENG Bryn Morris *0 (1)0000000000 (1)000
28MFFlag of England.svg ENG Jordan Sangha00000000000000
29MFFlag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg AFG Maziar Kouhyar 00000000000000
30GKFlag of England.svg ENG Dan Jezeph00000000000000
31FWFlag of England.svg ENG Jordy Hiwula *8 (5)30000001 (1)09 (6)310
Players not included in matchday squads
No.Pos.Nat.Name
11MFFlag of England.svg ENG Josh Wakefield *
19FWFlag of England.svg ENG Jordan Murphy
24FWFlag of England.svg ENG Levi Rowley
25†DFFlag of England.svg ENG Kyle Rowley

References

  1. ↑ "Jose Mourinho: Chelsea manager compliments Walsall 'quality'". BBC Sport. 24 September 2015.
  2. ↑ "Sky Bet League 1 Team of the Season - 2015/16".
  3. ↑ "Demetriou Checks In". Walsall FC. 1 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "Rowley Pens First Pro Deal". Walsall FC. 20 May 2015.
  5. ↑ "Rowley Ready For the Challenge". Walsall FC. 9 June 2015.
  6. ↑ Beardmore, Michael (2 July 2015). "Ex-Chelsea, Fulham and Charlton keeper signs two-year deal with Walsall". Walsall Advertiser. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  7. ↑ "Lalkovic Is Back!". Walsall FC. 16 July 2015.
  8. ↑ "Isaiah Osbourne: Walsall sign midfielder on one-year contract". BBC Sport. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  9. ↑ "Manchester City youngster George Evans joins Walsall on loan". BBC Sport. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  10. ↑ "George Evans: Walsall extend Manchester City midfielder's loan". BBC Sport. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  11. ↑ "Manchester City midfielder George Evans extends Walsall loan". BBC Sport. 11 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  12. ↑ "George Evans: Manchester City recall midfielder from Walsall loan". BBC Sport. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  13. ↑ "Middlesbrough's Bryn Morris joins Walsall on two-month loan". BBC Sport. 28 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  14. ↑ "Josh Wakefield: AFC Bournemouth midfielder joins Walsall on loan". BBC Sport. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  15. ↑ "Jordy Hiwula: Huddersfield Town striker returns to Walsall on loan". BBC Sport. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  16. ↑ "Walsall: Everton defender Matthew Pennington signs for Saddlers on loan". BBC Sport. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  17. ↑ "Mansfield Town sign Matt Green and Malvind Benning". BBC Sport. 22 May 2015.
  18. 1 2 3 4 "Retained And Released List". Walsall FC. 5 May 2015.
  19. ↑ "Ashley Grimes: Barrow sign former Walsall forward". BBC Sport. 16 July 2015.
  20. ↑ "Wigan to sign Walsall's O'Donnell". BBC Sport. 22 May 2015.
  21. ↑ "Richard O'Donnell Statement". Walsall FC. 21 May 2015.
  22. ↑ "Port Vale: Valiants sign ex-Walsall right back Ben Purkiss". newsrt. 24 June 2015. Archived from the original on 25 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  23. ↑ "James Chambers Announces Retirement". Walsall FC. 17 July 2015.
  24. ↑ "Kyle Rowley Heads Out On Loan". Walsall FC. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  25. ↑ "New duo drafted in for AFC Telford clash". Shropshire Star. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  26. ↑ "More new signings coming to AFC Telford". Shropshire Star. 21 September 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  27. ↑ "Harriers loan forward Jordan Murphy from Walsall". Kidderminster Shuttle. 9 October 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  28. ↑ "Jordan Murphy: Kidderminster extend Walsall forward's loan". BBC Sport. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  29. ↑ "Walsall recall Jordan Murphy from Harriers". Express & Star. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  30. ↑ "Striker Jordan Murphy rejoins Worcester City on loan from Walsall". Worcester News. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  31. 1 2 "Worcester City extend loans of West Bromwich Albion starlet Shaun Donnellan and Walsall's Amadou Bakayoko". Worcester News. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  32. 1 2 "Amadou Bakayoko and Jordan Murphy extend stay at Worcester City until the end of the season". Worcester News. 16 March 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  33. ↑ "James Baxendale: Mansfield sign Walsall attacker". BBC Sport. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  34. ↑ "Mansfield Town: Daniel Alfei and James Baxendale sign deals". BBC Sport. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  35. ↑ Berkeley, Geoff (15 January 2016). "Worcester City snap up Walsall striker Amadou Bakayoko on loan". Worcester News. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  36. ↑ "Saddlers Add Hatters Trip". Walsall FC. 7 May 2015.
  37. ↑ "Another Home Friendly Announced". Walsall FC. 28 May 2015.
  38. ↑ "League One Fixtures Released". Walsall FC. 17 June 2015.
  39. ↑ "Capital One Cup 2015/16 Round 1 Draw". Capital One Cup. 16 June 2015. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  40. ↑ "Capital One Cup round 2 draw". Capital One Cup. 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 16 August 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  41. ↑ "BFA fixtures – 1st round". Birmingham FA. August 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  42. ↑ "Walsall". FootballSquads. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  43. ↑ "Squad stats". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
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