Walsall FC and Walsall FC Foundation are delighted to launch the Saddlers United project for the 2025/26 season, as we continue to push for a more inclusive and welcoming football club for all communities.
Saddlers United is a steering group of community leaders who represent a diverse communities and social enterprise organisations.
Ten organisation leaders joined the Foundation to discuss plans for the season with a view to engage a wide number of new supporters at Walsall FC and introduce them to live football at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium.
The initial group of attendees includes:
1. Walsall Churches
2. Union of Muslim Organisations – Walsall
3. Walsall For All
4. Her Game Too
5. One Walsall
6. Armed Forces Community
7. Guru Nanak Temple
8. Castle SEN School
9. Nash Dom CIC
10. Shree Ram Mandir Temple
11. Afghan Community & Welfare Centre
12. Walsall Pride
Prior to the pre-season game against Derby County, Walsall FC and Walsall FC Foundation held the inaugural meeting of the new Saddlers United project.
Director of Walsall FC Foundation, Adam Davy, explained: “It is well known that Walsall is now a vibrant and diverse town. The statistics show that the Football Club sits in the heart of the community with local people representing a number of different communities.
“A number of these communities make up an underrepresented demographic of people at Walsall FC matches. Saddlers United aims to address this by welcoming all communities to the steering group to spread the word of Walsall FC.
“A large number of people live in close proximity to the stadium but have never been to the building, or to matches. Misconceptions around attending football can make certain groups of people reluctant to attend games.
“We want to work to dispel these, the Club is proud to hold the Gold Standard Family Excellence award, and we want more people to experience match days. Extra to that, we want all residents to know that the stadium has more to offer on non-match days too.”
Saddlers United is a natural extension last season’s work at Walsall FC, which included the opening of a multi-faith prayer room, hosting a first ever Community Iftar at the stadium, as well as a South Asian Heritage Celebration match day. These plans will expand over the coming season to help more people from all backgrounds feel welcome at the football club.
The project will see match tickets, focus match days and community events taking place at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium. The steering group will meet throughout the season to discuss ideas, share plans and engage with new supporters.
Club CEO, Ben Sadler, will form part of the Saddlers United steering group, and is proud to see the initiative launched.
He said: “I’ve been really proud of the efforts made in recent years to make Walsall FC increasingly accessible and inclusive for everyone.
“Whether that is inside the stadium, or out in the community, we want everyone to be able to support the football club and feel welcome in doing so.
“Saddlers United is another positive step in the right direction, and it’s great to have input from such a wide range of perspectives helping us shape the future of Walsall FC.”
Earlier this month, Walsall FC Foundation hosted the first Afghan Community Meal at the club, where over 60 people came together to enjoy food in the Community Hub and football on the stadium astro turf.
Fahim Zazai, Chief Executive of the Afghan Community and Welfare Centre, said: “I’ve worked closely with Adam and the Foundation for a number of years now, and their commitment to making the whole Afghan community feel welcome and valued has always been outstanding.
“The Saddlers United initiative is a fantastic opportunity to unite other cultures and backgrounds, all striving for one goal – to bring our community together.”
Her Game Too are also represented in the group. Dawn Addis, Walsall FC’s dedicated Her Game Too ambassador said: “Her Game Too are excited to be part of Saddlers United. It is a great initiative to bring Walsall FC and local communities together, and a positive way to be able to encourage more women and girls to come to watch their first Saddlers game.”
Irene Ramdehal, Community, Cohesion and Armed Forces Officer at Walsall Council, said: “Walsall Council is proud to support initiatives like Saddlers United that align closely with our Community Cohesion Strategy and our priorities around supporting the Armed Forces community.
“We are committed to building a stronger, more inclusive borough where everyone feels valued and connected. Through our ongoing partnership with Walsall FC Foundation — including projects such as the veterans’ walking football sessions — we’ve seen how football can be a powerful tool for unity. Saddlers United is another important step in breaking down barriers, building understanding, and helping all communities feel a true sense of belonging in Walsall.”
Another member of the group is Club Chaplain, Joe Clark, who represents Walsall Churches. Joe was also named Community Champion at the club’s 2024/25 Awards Evening, for his commitment to the community.
He added: “The Club has seen huge progress during my time here and I’m so pleased to be a part of Saddlers United to push that even further.
“To see leaders from Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Christian and other faiths working together for our shared community is really inspiring, and I’m excited to see what impact the project can have going forward.”
Over the course of the season, the new Saddlers United group will become an established, and important, part of the Club’s outreach in Walsall, and will further highlight the commitment of Walsall FC to inspiring the hearts and minds of the community.
