Walsall star Ryan Stirk hopes to make up for Wembley disappointment

He kicked his heels in the dugout while watching on helpless, unable to play a part as loan club Mansfield were soundly beaten by Port Vale in the League Two play-off final of 2022.

Three years on, he is no longer a loan player. He swapped Birmingham City for Walsall and is now itching for a better Wembley experience in helping the Saddlers create history by winning at the national stadium for the first time.

"Unfortunately with Mansfield we lost 3-0 but I'm hoping for a better outcome this time," recalled Stirk, 24.

."I remember going down the day before and obviously Wembley is ... Wembley. It's an amazing stadium. By the time you get there you've already been around the stadium, so you are a bit more relaxed.

"In the lead up to kick-off you're warming up on the pitch and fans are starting to fill, you get that atmosphere. It's just an incredible day for everybody that can be there, the fans and everyone.

"Hopefully this time it can be an incredible finish for us and we get what we want."

Stirk made 36 appearances in all competitions on his season-long loan at Mansfield but boss Nigel Clough opted against introducing the midfielder after the Stags found themselves 2-0 and a man down by half-time.

"At the time I thought I should've been starting, should've been playing, but I don't hold grudges even though I didn't get on that day," Stirk added. "Hopefully this time I'll play and put some wrongs right.

"I hope to have that experience of being on the pitch and play at Wembley.

"When it happened at Wembley last time I was disappointed, so I hope I play, but whatever the gaffer does he has my full backing."

Mat Sadler's troops have the wind back in their sails after three straight wins. What preceded those was a second half of the season collapse that tore automatic promotion from the former leaders' grasp - albeit in the most dramatic of circumstances, in the final seconds of the final day.

Walsall did their part of the bargain that day by winning at Crewe, but it was not quite enough. They have since shown impressive resilience, though, to twice see off Chesterfield, who had by some way the greater form and momentum, in the semi-finals.

Stirk, who has played 53 times for Walsall this term and 96 across his two seasons at Bescot, added: "You can see how much it means to this club, how passionate people are. Speaking to people about when they were in League One before and went to Wembley in the Trophy (2-0 defeat to Bristol City in 2015) - people live and die for this club.

"It's not just me. I know how important it is to myself, my family and all the lads in the dressing room. But looking externally, there are loads of people who would be buzzing if we could do it at Wembley."

Stirk, who hails from Tamworth, has developed and matured since he remained an unused substitute at the iconic stadium aged 21.

The Saddlers have allowed him to feel not just part of something, but to play a central, leading role. He has grasped the opportunity of regular football since leaving Blues in 2023 with both hands.

Things are different off the pitch too, the Walsall star and his partner Katie now have a two-year-old daughter, Laila, to add to the supporting Stirk clan on Monday.

It was a special moment for Stirk against the Spireites in the play-offs when he walked out with Laila ahead of kick-off.

"Since the last time I've had my little girl, she will be watching!" He said. "Maybe in the stadium for the first time, I'm not sure yet.

"If she and my partner could watch me achieve something at Wembley that would be amazing. Chesterfield was a very proud moment for me.

"My brother will be there, other people too, that's what you do it for when you step on the pitch, your family, it's a proud moment for me.

"I played in the garden with my brothers (as a child) and they will be watching, they will be proud.

"I have been battered for tickets! It's one you sort early in the week so you are not bothered by it later on."