Walsall's Ryan Finnigan on 12 years at Southampton and learning from James Ward-Prowse
Walsall loanee Ryan Finnigan had plenty of inspirations during his 12 years at Southampton.
A mural on the wall of Southampton's Staplewood training centre includes a proud lineage of the club's academy graduates.
The faces of Matt Le Tissier, Alan Shearer, Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott serve as a constant reminder that the impossible can become a reality.
Those values, which made, and continue to make Southampton such a notorious producer of academy talent, provided Finnigan with strong early foundations.
"I spent the majority of my life there and I loved every minute of it," Finnigan reflects.
"Everywhere you walk, there's photos and evidence of lads who have done it at the very highest level.
"That was great to see as a young player. I learned a lot and have really fond times of my time there."
Born in Bournemouth, Finnigan started out with the Cherries, before joining Southampton aged eight.
Finnigan watched from the stands as the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle dazzled under the tutelage of Dutch footballing legend Ronald Koeman.
James Ward-Prowse lived 'every academy boys' dream'
There was also James Ward-Prowse - the modern poster boy of the Saints academy - who would score 55 times in 410 appearances for the club.
Ward-Prowse, eight years Finnigan's senior, spent two decades at Southampton, rising through the ranks to earn 11 caps for England.
"There were lots of inspirations but the easy one is James Ward-Prowse," he says.
"He has emulated every academy boys' dream. He worked his way up - playing so many games for Southampton, as well as getting a number of caps for England."
Finnigan was in awe of his first team heroes, but touched on how his mindset had to change once he entered the first team fold.
It was 'sink or swim' at Southampton
"It's quite weird," he admits. "You have to get used to it quickly and shift your mindset because you're competing against these lads.
"As much as they're seasoned players, you've got to show that you're better than them.
"You've got to sink or swim. It really is like that and that's the reason they're where they are because of that mindset.
"They're not going to be soft just because you're a young lad."
Finnigan travelled as part of the match day squad on trips to Newcastle United and Manchester United, but never made his Premier League debut.
Getting back on track at Walsall
He made his debut from the bench in a 2-0 win over Shrewsbury Town in 2021, but left for Blackpool in the summer of 2024 after injury hampered his progress.
Those injury problems dragged into his permanent spell at Bloomfield Road, but Finnigan is rediscovering his groove at Walsall under Mat Sadler.
The 22-year-old has scored once in nine matches and has worked his way into the team, which has propelled itself to the top of League Two after 11 games.
After two years of injury hell, Finnigan hopes he is on course to bounce back at Bescot.
"Travelling to St James' Park and Old Trafford was a dream realised," he concludes.
"You've been on a long journey, and even though you're playing, I was still taking everything in.
"It was quite surreal and it gave me a taste for what life can be like.
"That's why it's been quite difficult the last couple of years, but luckily I've got this opportunity now and I want to take it with both hands."
