| 2013–14 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Jeff Bonser | |||
| Manager | Dean Smith | |||
| Stadium | Bescot Stadium | |||
| League One | 13th | |||
| FA Cup | Second round | |||
| League Cup | Second round | |||
| Top goalscorer | Craig Westcarr (14) | |||
| ||||
← 2012–13
2014–15 →
| ||||
The 2013/14 season saw Walsall finish 13th in League One. The campaign was most notable for the Saddlers' meetings with Black Country rivals Wolves, including a 1–0 away at Molineux.
The summer of 2013 saw the Saddlers lose the attacking trio of Will Grigg, Febian Brandy and Jamie Paterson, who had been responsible for close to two-thirds of the club’s goals in the previous campaign. Their replacements included Chelsea loanee Milan Lalkovic, playmaker Romaine Sawyers and striker Troy Hewitt.
After a mixed start, September saw Walsall take on Wolves twice in the space of two weeks. A short trip to Molineux in the Football League Trophy saw Wolves emerge victorious on penalties following a 2–2 draw. However, the Saddlers had the better of the corresponding league fixture, winning 1–0 thanks to a goal from captain Andy Butler. Minor controversy followed the fixture with derogatory comments towards Wolves posted on Walsall’s official Twitter account. The club apologised for the "frankly disgusting" Tweet, which it said was the work of a hacker.[1]
Walsall spent much of the first half of the season in and around the playoff spots, with a 5–1 away victory at Notts County lifting the club into sixth in late January. Despite seemingly being well-placed for a playoff challenge, the Saddlers went on to win just twice in the final 18 games of the season. This included a 3–0 home loss to Wolves, who would finish the season as champions.
This disastrous run saw the Saddlers end the campaign in 13th, 16 points adrift of a playoff place.
| Pos | Team
|
Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Bradford City | 46 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 57 | 54 | +3 | 59 |
| 12 | Bristol City | 46 | 13 | 19 | 14 | 70 | 67 | +3 | 58 |
| 13 | Walsall | 46 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 49 | 49 | 0 | 58 |
| 14 | Crawley Town | 46 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 48 | 54 | −6 | 57 |
| 15 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 50 | 59 | −9 | 56 |
Win Draw Loss
| 3 August 2013 (2013-08-03) 1 | Walsall | 3–1 | Tranmere Rovers | Walsall |
| 15:00 BST | Westcarr  4', 71'Lalkovic 25' |
Report | Robinson 40' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 4,788 Referee: Brendam Malone |
| 10 August 2013 (2013-08-10) 2 | Oldham Athletic | 0–1 | Walsall | Oldham |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Baxendale 25' |
Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 4,538 Referee: Gary Sutton |
| 17 August 2013 (2013-08-17) 3 | Walsall | 1–1 | Notts County | Walsall |
| 15:00 BST | Sawyers 50' |
Report | Arquin 74' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 4,295 Referee: Iain Williamson |
| 24 August 2013 (2013-08-24) 4 | Brentford | 1–0 | Walsall | Brentford, London |
| 15:00 BST | Donaldson 42' |
Report | Stadium: Griffin Park Attendance: 5,781 Referee: Hayward |
| 31 August 2013 (2013-08-31) 5 | Walsall | 0–3 | Preston North End | Walsall |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Byrom 30' Humphrey 58'Holmes 61' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 4,205 Referee: Phil Gibbs |
| 14 September 2013 (2013-09-14) 6 | Crewe Alexandra | 0–3 | Walsall | Crewe |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Westcarr 66', 69' (pen.) Baxendale 84' |
Stadium: Gresty Road Attendance: 4,260 Referee: Keith Hill |
| 17 September 2013 (2013-09-17) 7 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0–1 | Walsall | Wolverhampton |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Butler 69' |
Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 22,240 Referee: Mick Russell |
| 21 September 2013 (2013-09-21) 8 | Walsall | 1–1 | Rotherham United | Walsall |
| 15:00 BST | Mantom 34' |
Report | Nardiello 21' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 5,002 Referee: Stuart Attwell |
| 28 September 2013 (2013-09-28) 9 | Leyton Orient | 1–1 | Walsall | Leyton, London |
| 15:00 BST | Mooney 38' |
Report | Westcarr 71' |
Stadium: Brisbane Road Attendance: 5,429 Referee: Scott |
| 5 October 2013 (2013-10-05) 10 | Walsall | 0–2 | Bradford City | Walsall |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Reid 45' Hanson 47' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 5,364 Referee: Eddie Ilderton |
| 12 October 2013 (2013-10-12) 11 | Colchester United | 1–1 | Walsall | Colchester |
| 15:00 BST | Sears 7' |
Report | Taylor 90+7' |
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium Attendance: 2,945 Referee: Jeremy Simpson |
| 19 October 2013 (2013-10-19) 12 | Walsall | 2–1 | Stevenage | Stevenage |
| 15:00 BST | Sawyers 11' Westcarr 55' |
Report | Zoko 72' Akins  80' |
Stadium: Broadhall Way Attendance: 3,720 Referee: Andrew Madley |
| 22 October 2013 13 | Swindon Town | 1–3 | Walsall | Swindon |
| 19:45 BST | Ranger 83' |
Report | Hemmings 18' 78' Mantom 48' |
Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 8,188 Referee: Darren Sheldrake |
| 26 October 2013 14 | Walsall | 0–1 | Coventry City | Walsall |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Moussa 54' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 6,519 Referee: Gavin Ward |
| 2 November 2013 15 | Milton Keynes Dons | 1–0 | Walsall | Bletchley, Milton Keynes |
| 15:00 GMT | Williams | Report | Stadium: Stadium MK Attendance: 7,711 Referee: Dean Whitestone |
| 18 November 2013 16 | Walsall | 2–0 | Peterborough United | Walsall |
| 19:45 GMT | Lalkovic 26' Sawyers 69' |
Report |  51'  77' Brisley |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 4,597 Referee: David Coote |
| 23 November 2013 (2013-11-23) 17 | Crawley Town | 0–0 | Walsall | Crawley |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: 3,296 Referee: Tim Robinson |
| 26 November 2013 18 | Sheffield United | 1–1 | Walsall | Sheffield |
| 19:45 GMT | Porter 45+2' (pen.) |
Report | Westcarr 47' |
Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 14,796 Referee: Chris Sarginson |
| 30 November 2013 19 | Walsall | 0–2 | Port Vale | Walsall |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Pope 20' Tomlin 66' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 4,909 Referee: Michael Naylor |
| 14 December 2013 20 | Shrewsbury Town | 0–1 | Walsall | Shrewsbury |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Lalkovic 54' |
Stadium: New Meadow Attendance: 6,015 Referee: David Phillips |
| 21 December 2013 21 | Walsall | 2–0 | Carlisle United | Walsall |
| 15:00 GMT | Sawyers 15' Lalkovic 66' |
Report | Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 4,062 Referee: Darren Bond |
| 26 December 2013 22 | Bristol City | 1–0 | Walsall | Bristol |
| 15:00 GMT | Baldock 41' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Ashton Gate Stadium Attendance: 12,031 Referee: David Webb |
| 29 December 2013 23 | Gillingham | 2–2 | Walsall | Gillingham |
| 15:00 GMT | McDonald 46', 90+2' |
Report | Sawyers 62' Gray 90' |
Stadium: Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 5,394 Referee: Trevor Kettle |
| 1 January 2014 (2014-01-01) 24 | Walsall | 2–1 | Sheffield United | Walsall |
| 15:00 GMT | Westcarr 52' (pen.) Chambers 62' |
Report | Porter 17' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 5,015 Referee: Lee Collins |
| 11 January 2014 (2014-01-11) 25 | Tranmere Rovers | 1–1 | Walsall | Birkenhead |
| 15:00 GMT | Stockton 78' |
Report | Lalkovič 19' |
Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 4,871 Referee: Andy Haines |
| 14 January 2014 (2014-01-14) 26 | Walsall | 1–0 | Oldham Athletic | Walsall |
| 19:45 GMT | Mantom 65' |
Report | Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 3,522 Referee: Fred Graham |
| 18 January 2014 (2014-01-18) 27 | Walsall | 1–1 | Brentford | Walsall |
| 15:00 GMT | Westcarr 45' |
Report | Donaldson 30' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 5,295 Referee: Scott Duncan |
| 25 January 2014 (2014-01-25) 28 | Notts County | 1–5 | Walsall | Nottingham |
| 15:00 GMT | McGregor 61' |
Report | Butler 24', 33', 45+2' Butler 49'Westcarr 53' |
Stadium: Meadow Lane Attendance: 5,701 Referee: Darren Sheldrake |
| 28 January 2014 (2014-01-28) 29 | Walsall | 1–1 | Swindon Town | Walsall |
| 19:45 GMT | Sawyers 37' |
Report | M. Smith 71' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 4,059 Referee: Mark Brown |
| 8 February 2014 (2014-02-08) 30 | Walsall | 0–3 | Milton Keynes Dons | Walsall |
| 15:00 GMT | Butler 43' |
Report | McLeod 30', 70' Reeves 44' (pen.) |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 4,116 Referee: James Linington |
| 14 February 2014 (2014-02-14) 31 | Peterborough United | 0–0 | Walsall | Peterborough |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Stadium: London Road Stadium Attendance: 4,263 Referee: Graham Horwood |
| 22 February 2014 (2014-02-22) 32 | Walsall | 1–2 | Crawley Town | Walsall |
| 15:00 GMT | Mantom 64' |
Report | Tubbs 4' (pen.), 51' Clarke 71' 80' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 3,904 Referee: Kevin Wright |
| 1 March 2014 (2014-03-01) 33 | Preston North End | 2–1 | Walsall | Preston |
| 15:00 GMT | Downing 3' (o.g.) Wright 29' |
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26300271 Report | Mantom 5' 82' |
Stadium: Deepdale Attendance: 10,034 Referee: Seb Stockbridge |
| 5 March 2014 (2014-03-05) 34 | Coventry City | 2–1 | Walsall | Northampton[2] |
| 19:45 GMT | Wilson 22' Delfouneso 84' |
Report | Benning 54' |
Stadium: Sixfields Stadium Attendance: 1,637 Referee: Richard Clark |
| 8 March 2014 (2014-03-08) 35 | Walsall | 0–3 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Walsall |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Dicko 31', 48' Sako 67' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 10,139 Referee: Paul Tierney |
| 11 March 2014 (2014-03-11) 36 | Walsall | 1–1 | Crewe Alexandra | Walsall |
| 19:45 GMT | Ellis 90+1' (o.g.) |
Report | Aneke 51' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 3,777 Referee: Tony Harrington |
| 15 March 2014 (2014-03-15) 37 | Rotherham United | 1–1 | Walsall | Rotherham |
| 15:00 GMT | Adams 89' |
Report | Lalkovič 19' Purkiss 47' 73' |
Stadium: New York Stadium Attendance: 8,212 Referee: Andy Woolmer |
| 22 March 2014 (2014-03-22) 38 | Walsall | 1–1 | Leyton Orient | Walsall |
| 15:00 GMT | Downing 14' |
Report | Clarke 78' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 5,779 Referee: Tim Robinson |
| 25 March 2014 (2014-03-25) 39 | Bradford City | 0–2 | Walsall | Bradford |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Westcarr 68', 78' |
Stadium: Valley Parade Attendance: 12,165 Referee: Keith Stroud |
| 29 March 2014 (2014-03-29) 40 | Walsall | 1–0 | Shrewsbury Town | Walsall |
| 15:00 GMT | Westcarr 5' 72' |
Report | Mills 62' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 4,222 Referee: Bobby Madley |
| 5 April 2014 (2014-04-05) 41 | Port Vale | 1–0 | Walsall | Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent |
| 15:00 BST | Myrie-Williams 52' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,569 Referee: Carl Berry |
| 12 April 2014 (2014-04-12) 42 | Walsall | 0–1 | Bristol City | Walsall |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Baldock 45' (pen.) |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 5,110 Referee: Nigel Miller |
| 18 April 2014 (2014-04-18) 43 | Carlisle United | 1–1 | Walsall | Carlisle |
| 15:00 BST | Noble 13' |
Report | Ngoo 82' |
Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 4,389 Referee: Darren Drysdale |
| 21 April 2014 (2014-04-21) 44 | Walsall | 1–1 | Gillingham | Walsall |
| 15:00 BST | Brandy 55' |
Report | McDonald 84' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 3,890 Referee: Darren Sheldrake |
| 26 April 2014 (2014-04-26) 45 | Stevenage | 3–2 | Walsall | Stevenage |
| 15:00 BST | Smith 35' N'Guessan 53'Freeman 82' |
Report | Benning 46' Westcarr 50' |
Stadium: Broadhall Way Attendance: 2,973 Referee: Graham Horwood |
| 3 May 2014 (2014-05-03) 46 | Walsall | 0–1 | Colchester United | Walsall |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Eastmond 54' |
Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 4,271 Referee: David Webb |
| 9 November 2013 First round | Walsall | 3–0 | Shrewsbury Town | Walsall |
| 15:00 | Westcarr 29', 59' Sawyers 73' |
Report | Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 3,338 Referee: Charles Breakspear |
| 7 December 2013 Second round | Leyton Orient | 1–0 | Walsall | Leyton, London |
| 15:00 | Cox 41' |
Report | Stadium: Brisbane Road Attendance: 2,604 Referee: Mark Brown |
| 6 August 2013 First round | Port Vale | 1–2 | Walsall | Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent |
| 19:45 BST | Robertson 59' |
Report | Westcarr 43' Baxendale 84' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,013 Referee: Andy Haines |
| 28 August 2013 Second round | Stoke City | 3–1 | Walsall | Stoke-on-Trent |
| 19:45 BST | Jones 22', 31', 84' |
Report | Hemmings 57' |
Stadium: Britannia Stadium Attendance: 11,667 Referee: Michael Naylor |
| 3 September 2013 First round | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2–2 (4–2 p) | Walsall | Wolverhampton |
| 19:45 | McAlinden 5' Sako 63' |
Report | Hemmings 54' Hewitt 85' |
Stadium: Molineux Attendance: 13,481 Referee: Darren Deadman |
| Penalties | ||||
Sigurðarson  Sako Doherty Davis |
 Westcarr Taylor Mantom Downing |
|||
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | 
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | FA Cup | League Cup | FL Trophy | Total | Discipline | ||||||||||
| 1 | GK |  ENG
|
Richard O'Donnell | 46 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 51 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | ENG
|
Ben Purkiss | 10 (4) | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 (5) | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 3 | DF | ENG
|
Andy Taylor | 32 (1) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 36 (1) | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | ENG
|
Andy Butler | 45 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 5 | DF | ENG
|
Dean Holden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | MF | ENG
|
Nicky Featherstone | 10 (15) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 (16) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | ENG
|
Adam Chambers | 45 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 49 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | ENG
|
Sam Mantom | 43 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| 9 | MF |  SVK
|
Milan Lalkovič * | 30 (8) | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 (8) | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | FW | ENG
|
Craig Westcarr | 40 (3) | 14 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 (1) | 0 | 44 (4) | 17 | 1 | 1 |
| 11 | FW | ENG
|
Ashley Hemmings | 14 (13) | 2 | 1 (1) | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 18 (14) | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 12 | DF | ENG
|
Paul Downing | 43 (1) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 48 (1) | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 13 | GK | ENG
|
Shane Lewis | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | DF | ENG
|
Mal Benning | 14 (2) | 2 | 0 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 (3) | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 15 | DF | ENG
|
James Chambers | 40 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 16 | MF | ENG
|
James Baxendale | 25 (15) | 2 | 1 (1) | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 29 (16) | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | ENG
|
Reece Flanagan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | DF | ENG
|
Ben George | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | MF | ENG
|
Kieron Morris | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | GK | ENG
|
Liam Roberts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | FW | ENG
|
Troy Hewitt | 8 (19) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 (1) | 1 | 8 (22) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | MF |  SKN
|
Romaine Sawyers | 29 (15) | 6 | 1 (1) | 1 | 1 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 32 (17) | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| 26 | MF |  NIR
|
James McQuilkin | 2 (7) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 (8) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | ENG
|
Julian Gray | 0 (12) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (12) | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 27 | FW |  SLE
|
Amadou Bakayoko | 0 (6) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (6) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | FW | ENG
|
Febian Brandy * | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | FW | ENG
|
Michael Ngoo * | 4 (10) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 (10) | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | MF | ENG
|
Jake Heath |
| 20 | DF | ENG
|
Matt Preston |
| 23 | FW | ENG
|
Danny Griffiths |
