Walsall close to key appointment as club's board bolstered

Walsall missed out on promotion from League Two last season after blowing a 15-point advantage, before then losing in the play-off final, with club bosses later acknowledging their January business had been lacking.

With the Saddlers once more top of the league, they are determined to avoid a repeat. The club’s recruitment is currently led by Trivela’s vice president of global football, Matt Jordan, alongside head coach Mat Sadler.

Plans to bring in a new head of recruitment were first mooted in the summer and the club has confirmed they will still be carried through, following the appointment of two new directors to the board.

Marc Koretsky and Barton Lee, both of whom joined Trivela earlier this year, have been brought to Bescot as part of what co-chairman Ben Boycott described as a “commitment to strong governance”.

Koretsky, Trivela’s chief operating officer, previously held the same role with the INDYCAR racing series and also worked as a consultant to the NFL and NCAA.

Lee, who was appointed general counsel of Trivela Group in the summer, is said to have “significant legal and corporate expertise”.

The pair join Boycott, his fellow co-chairman Leigh Pomlett and chief executive Ben Sadler on the board.

Boycott said: “We are delighted to welcome Marc and Barton to the Walsall FC board of directors. 

“Both bring extensive expertise in their respective areas and proven leadership qualities.

“This expansion of the Board reflects our commitment to strong governance, which is a necessity for long term excellence in both operations and compliance. 

“It also reflects our continued commitment to the ongoing professionalisation of the football club, and to placing it in a better position for long term growth and success.”