Ex-Walsall midfielder 'grateful' for Mat Sadler's support since 2023 exit
Former Walsall midfielder Sam Perry has expressed his gratitude towards Mat Sadler for the support he showed him following his summer exit in 2023.
The 23-year-old, who now plays for Alvechurch in the seventh-tier of English football, scored twice in 36 appearances for the Saddlers.
Perry played alongside Walsall boss Mat Sadler and also worked under him both in the academy and first team.
Sadler had just been appointed when Perry was released by the club during his first summer at the helm.
But Walsall-born midfielder Perry has revealed how Sadler helped him get back on his feet after his four-year stay came to an end.
'It was difficult for both of us'
"I went into speak to Mat Sadler at the time. That was probably his first time holding a meeting like that and it was difficult for both of us," Perry recalled.
"We had the conversation about me not being offered a new deal, but he always dropped me a text to see if I needed anything, or if I needed him to speak to any clubs.
"Because I always knew that he would give me a good reference. At the time, I'd had a tough season on loan at Yeovil and Leamington, so I knew that I wasn't going to get a new deal.
"When you've been around Sadler for a good few years and see him make that transformation from a player to coach, he has a great personality and is one of the easiest guys to approach.
"You want to perform for him because he is such a good guy but also very honest."
Perry played for Waterford, Salisbury and Macclesfield in 2023-24 before finally joining current club Alvechurch last term.
'I couldn't thank Brian Dutton enough'
The former Aston Villa academy product was reunited with former Saddlers boss Brian Dutton at Salisbury and says he is still indebted to him for handing him his breakthrough at WS1.
"Brian was massive for me and I couldn't thank him enough," he added.
"He played me in most of the games in League Two and just gave me the platform to express myself.
"That's what he wanted to do with his time at Walsall. He wanted to give the young players an opportunity to get on the pitch.
"By the end of the season, there were so many young lads making their debuts which was good to see."
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