Joe Foulkes reflects on Walsall experience and Kidderminster Harriers promotion bid

The 21-year-old had joined the Saddlers youth set-up aged seven and rocketed through the ranks to make his senior debut in 2023. 

A long career at Bescot was not meant to be and his 12 months under Mat Sadler presented many challenges. But Foulkes, now back at Kidderminster Harriers in the National League North, feels he is stronger for the experience. 

"It was difficult for me mentally to try and breakthrough but I tried to give myself the best opportunity I possibly could when I was in the team," he reflected. 

"If I learned anything from Mat Sadler, it was that hard work beats everything. We may not have been the prettiest team in the league last season but we were one of the hardest working. 

"I would've loved to carry on my time there but unfortunately it just wasn't meant to be." 

Foulkes marked his Walsall bow with an assist in a thrilling 4-3 defeat at Blackburn Rovers in August 2023 and finished his first full campaign with 23 appearances. 

However, the right-back spent large periods out of the squad and feels that his Walsall experience opened his eyes to the challenges of being a professional footballer. 

"It was probably the hardest time that I've had as a footballer so far," he admitted. 

"Although it was really tough, it was one of the best things that could happen to be as a youngster. It helped me mature and I started to really understand what it's like to be a footballer. 

"There is no easy road in football and I had to keep the right mentality when I was out of the team. 

"I felt I put in some good performances when I came back into the squad and that I'd perhaps shown enough but nothing is guaranteed in football."

After leaving Walsall, Foulkes returned to Kidderminster where he achieved promotion to the National League on loan in 2023.

Foulkes has scored and assisted two goals apiece in 25 appearances to help power the Harriers to the league summit.

And Foulkes is hoping to repeat the feat of promotion again this season. 

"Returning to Kidderminster was the easiest decision in my career so far. It's been a success so far and we'll be looking to carry that on," he concluded.