Walsall Academy 2025–26 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in West Midlands, Walsall FC Academy runs a category 3 academy
- Academy Manager: Martyn Bowles
- Professional Development Phase Coach: Ryan Simmonds
- Youth Development Phase Coach: Scott Lowrie
Walsall Scholars 2025/26
- Fraser Hamilton-Wright (Goalkeeper)
- Rocco Lenney (Defender)
- Sam Oliver (Defender)
- Ellis Harris (Defender)
- Archie Bunn (Midfielder)
- Ethan Khan (Midfielder)
- Lincoln Hunt (Forward)
- Oliver Nash (Forward)
Walsall FC Retained List 2025
View the complete list of Walsall FC players who have been retained, released, or have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells.
Walsall FC Academy Players On Loan 2025/26
Youth players on loan.
- Ronan Maher (Midfielder) Tamworth
- Stan Straw (Defender) Halesowen Town
- Louie Webb (Midfielder) Coleshill Town FC
- Sam Oliver (Defender) Dudley Town
- Ollie Nash (Forward) Smethwick Rangers
- Lincoln Hunt (Forward) Worcester Raiders
- Will Etheridge (Midfielder) Darlaston Town; Stourbridge
- Paul Makavore (Defender) Darlaston Town
- McLloyd Oben (Midfielder) Rugby Town
- Jakub Pawlowski (Defender) Rugby Town
- Marley Roberts (Defender) Racing Club Warwick
- Ellis Harris (Defender) Tividale
- Fraser Hamilton-Wright (Goalkeeper) Smethwick Rangers
- Charlie Wragg (Forward) Stratford Town
- Jenson Kilroy (Goalkeeper) Alvechurch
Walsall FC Academy Products in the First Team 2025/26
- Charlie Wragg (Forward) #34
- McLloyd Oben (Midfielder) #56
- Stan Straw (Defender) #59
- Paul Makavore (Defender) #55
- Jenson Kilroy (Goalkeeper) #21
- Ronan Maher (Midfielder) #16
- Will Etheridge (Midfielder) #53
Walsall Academy Competitions
U17 Professional Development League Cup
The U17 Professional Development League Cup is an English youth football tournament created for players aged 17 and under.
U17 PDL Cup Group Stage
Walsall U17 will play against Under-17 teams from Cheltenham Town, Port Vale and Cardiff City.
- Walsall U17 won away against Cheltenham Town U17 (0 – 4)
- Walsall U17 drew at home against Cardiff City U17 (0 – 0)
- Walsall U17 won at home against Port Vale U17 (4 – 0)
Round of 16
- Walsall U17 lost at home against Oxford United U17 (0 – 1)
U18 Youth Alliance Cup
The EFL Youth Alliance Cup is a youth football tournament in England, organized by the English Football League (EFL). It features under-18 teams from League One and League Two clubs that compete in the EFL Youth Alliance, the league system for these academies.
The competition follows a format like the EFL Trophy, beginning with a regional group stage before progressing to a national knockout phase.
Designed to foster young talent at lower-tier EFL clubs, the tournament provides a structured competitive environment beyond regular league matches.
U18 Youth Alliance Cup Group Stage
- Walsall U18 won away against Rotherham United U18 (0 – 2)
- Jakub Pawlowski
- Paul Makavore
Quarter-Final
- Walsall U18 won at home against Oldham Athletic U18 (2 – 0)
- Stan Straw
- Louie Webb
FA Youth Cup
First Round Proper
Walsall U18 have been drawn at home against AFC Dunstable
- Walsall won at home against AFC Dunstable (0 – 0) (2 – 0 AET)
Second Round Proper
Walsall U18 have been drawn away against Wigan Athletic U18
- Walsall U18 lost away against Wigan Athletic U18 (2 – 0)
Walsall Senior Cup
First Round
- Walsall U18 won away against Darlaston (2 – 0)
- Ellis Harris
- Paul Makavore
Quarter Final
- Walsall U18 lost away against Rushall Olympic FC First (0 – 3)
Birmingham Senior Challenge Cup
Second Round
Walsall have been drawn away against Rugby Borough on 12th November
- Walsall U18 won away against Rugby Borough (0 – 2)
- Will Etheridge
- Dylan Thomas
Third Round
Walsall have been drawn away against Stourbridge FC
- Walsall U18 lost away against Stourbridge FC (4 – 0)
Walsall FC Academy News
The academy participate in the Birmingham Senior Cup.
31st May 2025
The club has formally offered Jenson Kilroy his first professional contract, while exercising the option to extend Charlie Wragg’s scholarship.
28th October 2025
Walsall scholar Paul Makavore made his first-team debut in Tuesday’s Vertu Trophy match against Chelsea U21.
4th November 2025
Walsall U18s will travel to face Wigan Athletic U18 in the FA Youth Cup second round on Friday, November 21st, with kick-off scheduled for 6:00 pm.
21st November 2025
Walsall U18s’ FA Youth Cup journey came to an end with a 2-0 defeat away to Wigan Athletic U18s.
1st December 2025
The young Saddlers have advanced to the semi-finals of the Youth Alliance Cup after securing a 2–0 victory over Oldham Athletic U18.
3rd December 2025
Walsall’s U17 PDL Cup campaign came to an end with a narrow 1–0 home defeat to Oxford United in the round of 16.
22nd December 2025
The Birmingham Senior Cup third-round clash against Stourbridge FC will be held on Wednesday 28 January, with kick-off at 7.45pm.
23rd December 2025
Walsall will make the trip to Dales Lane to face Rushall Olympic in the quarter-final of the Walsall Senior Cup on Tuesday 20 January, with kick-off scheduled for 7:45pm.
23rd March 2026
Stan Straw has signed his first professional contract with the Saddlers.
15th May 2026
Tyler Smith, a product of the Walsall FC Academy, will leave the club to begin an exciting new chapter with Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers after an agreement was reached between the two clubs.