'Lauded as the king' Walsall fans react to Mat Sadler's contract extension

Darren Fellows

There are few certainties in life beyond death and taxes but when you’re a winning football team the third certainty will be unwelcome interest in your head coach or manager. 

It has happened to us before and it happens to everyone. You wait ages to get yourself competitive and then whoosh, a bigger fish comes along and recruits the architect. So it is with some relief that we’re told that Mat Sadler has put pen to paper on a fully deserved contract extension.

New and extended contracts aren’t the impermeable barrier we’d want them to be, as Dean Smith proved almost decade ago, but they do provide the club with protection to dissuade or compensate when serious interest arrives. They do recognise progress however, and it is impossible to not recognise the progress made under Sadler. 

As for Mat Sadler, his new agreement is justified reward for his efforts and success in constructing what is a team in every sense of the word and delivering a first half of 2024/25 that exceeded the hopes and ambitions of everyone with Walsall Football Club at heart. 

There is much work still to be done but, in Sadler, it appears that the club has rightly concluded that they have the right man at the helm to convert a great start into a successful conclusion and then build again in order to establish ourselves at what most of us see as our natural level. 

Trivela and the Senior Board also deserve a level of credit for being able to reward Sadler and his team’s strong half year. They bravely kept their nerve during some tricky times just over a year ago, prioritising stability when others would have not and will hopefully reap their rewards across the next five months and early next season.

Dave Evans 

When Michael Flynn was sacked in April 2023 after the 3-0 defeat at Harrogate, I was intrigued by the temporary appointment of Mat Sadler, assisted by Richard O'Kelly for the remaining three games. 

Their record in the interim was a mixed bag - a draw, a loss and a win but there was enough to suggest to me that Sadler was worth a punt. Let's face it, the previous managers couldn't cut it in the Bescot hot seat. 

When I saw some of the names linked with the job, I was convinced that the way forward was to appoint from within. The appointment of Sadler was greeted with derision by some supporters who felt he was a cheap option and would be no different to the previous couple of managers he'd worked under. 

No Saddlers fan, myself included, would have dreamt that at the halfway stage of the season, the team would be sitting on top of the table with a healthy ten point lead with one and two games in hand over the chasing pack. 

Sadler has built a fantastic team spirit with his players and reconnected the supporters with the club. It just shows what can be achieved with everyone pulling in the same direction and the board of directors deserve credit. 

Despite the conspiracies floating around 13 months or so ago, I believe Sadler's future was never doubted by the board. They believed in him, have backed him and are now rewarding him with his well deserved new contract. 

The future is certainly a lot brighter now. 

Simon Ward 

Sadler turned around the doubters to take Walsall close to the play-offs last season and has continued to mould his team to work together as a unit. 

Initially, he didn’t seem to learn from his mistakes but with guidance from Gary Waddock and the worldly knowledge of a mentor like Richard O’Kelly, Sadler has moved a long way from the derisory comments related to teaching and is now lauded as the king. 

Some astute signings have certainly helped, but his decision making has stepped up massively from last season and the impressive form in the league has brought the attention you would expect. Nobody would want to leave Walsall at this stage of the season, least of all Sadler. 

The extended contract to 2028 shows that both Sadler and Ben Boycott can see a bright future building at Walsall. Maintaining stability of the management team and squad is key to that progress. 

Tom Bowen 

Sadler's contract extension is excellent news for the club. Among much speculation about his job last month, he was able to shut the rumours down that he would be moving and instead sign a new contract, which shows his intent to drive the club forward. 

His tactics and man-management has been spot on so far this season, with the win at Meadow Lane showing how he knows the squad inside out and is able to get the best out of each and every player, regardless of how regularly they play. 

He has a clear style of play and management that he brings to the club. And that has filtered through, not only to the players who give everything for the club, but also the fans, who repay them by showing the support in their thousands week in, week out. 

It's an exciting time for the club and Sadler's extension is going to be crucial in driving this club forward in the Football League.