Walsall co-chairman highlights changes to navigate January challenges

Co-chairman Ben Boycott believes Walsall’s summer transfer business will help them navigate the challenges of the January market.

The winter window has proven problematic for Walsall in recent years - particularly with the recalls of key loan players.

Nathan Lowe headed back to Stoke City after scoring 18 goals in 2025 - while Freddie Draper was recalled by Lincoln City after hitting double figures in 2023-24.

Boycott seeking to strike permanent and loan balance

Boycott has admitted that the club have been over reliant on loan players in the past and that efforts have been made to strike a finer balance this summer

“I do think that there has been an over reliance on the loan market at times,” the American explained.

“Anybody can see that with some of the issues we’ve had in the January windows.

“Certainly that is one lessons that we take fully into account. It’s a tricky one because I do think it would be foolish to have zero involvement in the loan market.

“We’re trying really hard to build for the long-term with a core of players who’re ours and on long-term contracts with option year.

“But we also need to strike the balance by utilising the loan market in the right way.”

The squad has undergone a major overhaul with the arrival of 14 players and the departure of 15 - including Vincent Harper, who joined League Two rivals Exeter City on loan last week.

Walsall have paid fees for Jed Ward, Reece Smith, Sven Sprangler and Tai Sodje - while only Declan Skura, Charlie Crew and Isaac Moore have been signed via the loan market so far.

Boycott on “healthy” Walsall budget

The majority of signings have penned either two-year or three-deals with option years and Grant himself penned a three-year deal upon his arrival.

Boycott has revealed that the transfer budget has been higher than previous seasons, although he also pointed to the investment in the infrastructure of the footballing department.

Ben Sadler was appointed as the CEO in 2024, before Andy McGregor was installed as head of recruitment ahead of the January window last year.

Since, Stewart Mairs has come in as the head of football and has worked closely with new head coach Lee Grant this summer.

“As ever, I will not name specifics with regards to the budget, but it’s a healthy budget,” he continued.

“I will say as far as the transfer budget is concerned and the fees that we have paid, has been more than in previous summers.

“But also, you have to look at the investment in the football side of the business really holistically.

“What we’re doing in terms of the leadership, staff, training ground and the development.

“That is part of a holistic strategy to try and be successful in a sustainable way rather than just the budget is X this year as opposed to Y last year.”

Boycott addresses his role at Walsall

The expansion of the leadership group has also meant that Boycott’s role as co-chairman has evolved over the past four years.

He has insisted that his involvement remains high, although he’s essentially overseeing the project, as he looks to empower those in leadership roles.

“I’m in communication with the club on a daily basis, but we’ve really tried to add layers of leadership on the commercial and sporting sides,” he added.

“That really started with the CEO [Ben Sadler] - but then going down to the various heads of departments on the commercial side and the sporting director.

“Certainly, the direct involvement of Trivela is very high, but we really want to put good leaders in positions and empower them to do their roles.”

He continued: “I would say Trivela are probably more involved today than it was historically, but what has changed is the fact that you have a larger leadership team trying to build the club on and off the field for future success.”

Trivela implemented a collaborative transfer policy once former head coach Mat Sadler was appointed in 2023.

He worked closely with Trivela vice president Matt Jordan, especially on the transfer market.

Boycott on Matt Jordan’s involvement

When asked about Jordan’s current involvement, Boycott said: “Matt is very involved. He still has daily communication with the club and daily involvement with the work we’re trying to do in the transfer window.

“But as far as the practical day-to-day work, a lot of what he was doing a year ago, is now being carried on by the head of recruitment.”

The club have gradually added layers over time and have increased resources off-the-pitch in their quest for success on the pitch.

But despite the collaborative approach on the transfer front, Grant has to have the final seal of approval on every signing.

“We’ve never taken the approach of pushing a player on a manager that they didn’t want. I know that the recruitment team operates with a standing and collaborative approach,” he concluded.

“But ultimately the head coach will have the final approval.”