Walsall will take part in their penultimate game of what has turned out to be a disappointing 2025/26 League Two campaign this weekend as they welcome Harrogate Twon to the PalletTrack Bescot Stadium.SMILE FOR JOEL MATCHDAY TAKEOVER
SmileForJoel, one of Walsall FC's official charity partners for the 2025/26 season, is a charity close to everyone's hearts and was set up by Suzanne and Owen Richards following the passing of family members and loyal Saddlers fans Adrian, Patrick, and Joel, who were tragically killed in the 2015 Tunisian terror attacks.
SmileForJoel helps families who are victims of traumatic bereavement with a range of support, including time-out for families, special counselling and financial assistance to help pay for gift experiences for families who are financially impacted by their loss. The charity has gone from strength to strength since its inception and has built a positive platform to help raise awareness and extend their vital support to families across the UK affected by homicide with strength, compassion and hope.
To show your support, the Club is encouraging all supporters in attendance this weekend to bring a pound to the ground and to dig deep where possible, donating to a worthy cause. There will be bucket collectors around the ground throughout the day for you to do so, and their team will be on-site to speak to and offer support to those who need it most. They will also have card readers to hand for those who don’t have cash on them but would still like to make a donation.
You can also make a donation online via their official website as well as via text. To donate, simply text SMILEFORJOEL to 70085 to donate £5. Your donations are greatly appreciated and will make a huge difference in helping the charity continue their fantastic work across the country.
NEWS & VIEWS
The Saddlers will reach this weekend's match with nothing but pride to play for. After winning just 18 of their 44 league games, including last Saturday's 3-1 triumph over Barrow, the team is in for a busy summer of change.
With a new head coach to be appointed, and many of the current first-team nearing the end of their contracts, the match may well resemble a session at Crufts, with players keen to show their bright eyes and bushy tails as they seek to secure their futures, whether in WS1 or not.
There is no doubt the team has improved over the weeks since Mat Sadler was dismissed, but, with another season in League Two already confirmed, it's all too little to late, and many of the existing squad will be lucky to earn a new deal.
Whatever the outcome of this weekend's meeting with the Sulphurites, we're in for another turbulent few months in our portion of the Black Country, it almost makes you yearn for the days of mid-table mediocrity in League One...
TEAM NEWS
In terms of team news, Alex Pattison looks set for a return to action, but Brandon Comley is a doubt.
THE OPPOSITION
Opponents Harrogate Town sit 24th and bottom of the table ahead of kick-off. Winning just three of their last ten league ganes, the Sulphuirtes are one point from safety and will need many things to go their way this weekend if they are to make the leap out of the bottom two.
Their most recent outing was a dramatic affair that saw them keep their survival hopes alive via Jacob Slater's dramatic goal nine minutes into second-half stoppage time to see off Colchester United.
FACTFILE: HARROGATE TOWN
Nickname: The Sulphurites
Founded: 1914
Ground Wetherby Road
Manager: Simon Weaver
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been just eleven competitive meetings between Walsall and Harrogate Town, and it's the Saddlers that enjoy a minor head-to-head advantage, having won four times compared to the Sulphurites' three.
The other four games ended in draws, as there has been little to separate the two teams over the last few campaigns.
The first meeting was played behind closed doors at Doncaster Rovers' Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday, 19th September 2020 — Harrogate were in the middle of replacing their synthetic pitch to bring them in line with EFL regulations.
The match was an eventful, high-scoring affair as, despite taking an early lead, the Saddlers left it late to take a share of the spoils as Josh Gordon levelled nine minutes from full-time.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting took place at the Sulphurites' Exercise Stadium on Saturday, 22nd November 2025, and saw Walsall win by two-goals-to-nil.
Walsall were the more threatening side for much of the first-half and were eventually able to go into the lead when Danile Kanu and Jamille Matt combined for the former to grab his seventh goal of the season.
Walsall doubled their lead in the Priestley Farquharson marked his first start in some fifteen months as he headed the ball into the back of the net from a Ryan Finnigan corner.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Benjamin Speedie who is based on Merseyside will take charge of the match with Kenwyn Hughes and Mark Cunliffe being named as assistant referees, whilst Sam Mulhall has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES
|
38
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
111
| 5
|
PENALTIES
|
4
|
TICKET INFORMATION
TICKET PRICES
Adults: £10
Under-18s: £4
Under-14s: £1
This offer is available to supporters NOW and will be valid until kick-off on Saturday, 25th April.
Supporters can also take advantage of discounted prices and secure hospitality on matchday, with Adults priced at £61 and U14s at £26.50 (match ticket included in package).
Please note that spaces are limited, and supporters looking to purchase this package are advised to book as soon as possible, to reserve your place, please contact [email protected].
To snap up your seat, or if you require further information, call the Ticket Office at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on 01922 651416 or visit the official e-ticketing website, here.
CATCH THE MATCH
Walsall's in-house service, Saddlers+, offers Monthly and Annual audio passes available. Visit their website for further information.