So a new season is upon us and despite the early promise of last season, we’re still here in League Two…. 
….. now that’s out of the way….
WE GO AGAIN!!!
Walsall host Swindon Town, as the Robins make the 90 mile trip north along the M5 to the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium for the first game.
The Opposition
After a mediocre 12th place finish last season, Ian Holloway will be looking for a vast improvement to make a promotion attempt to League One.
They have been busy in the transfer market. Recent incomings include Jake Tabor (forward) for an undisclosed fee from non-league Amersham Town and multiple free transfers including James Ball (midfielder) from AFC Wimbledon, Filozofe Mabete (defender) from Wolves, Tom Nichols (forward) from Mansfield Town, Darren Oldaker (midfielder) from Chesterfield, Joe Snowdon (midfielder) from Leeds United, Lewis Ward (goalkeeper) from AFC Wimbledon and Billy Bodin (midfielder) from Burton Albion.
Their pre-season friendlies have seen 4 wins out of 5 matches (similar to Walsall).
The Proposition
The Saddlers look to carry on the form of their recent 5 friendly results which include 2 away wins at non-league opposition, Leamington (0-4) and Forest Green (0-3) and 2 wins at home to Aston Villa (1-0) and behind closed doors against Hereford (3-0). The only home loss being 2-3 to Derby County.
With a much changed squad, Mat Sadler will be looking to hit the ground running and forget the disastrous end of last season.
The First Time
The first meeting between the sides, on the 15th October 1927, resulted in a 5-0 away loss for Walsall. The home fixture, 5 months later on 25th February 1928, was another Walsall loss, this time 1-2. Although worse was to come barely 6 months later, see below…
The Worst Time
On the 8th September 1928, Walsall lost away at Swindon 5-1 and the same scoreline happened 48 years later with another 5-1 away loss on the 24th April 1976.
The Last Time
The last game between the 2 sides was last season, on 1st March 2025, with the Robins beating the Saddlers 1-0 at Bescot in a League Two match. Joel Cotterill scored in the 59th minute for Swindon. This was the game straight after Cheltenham away, where we went from 2-0 lead to a 2-2 draw in the final minutes and wouldn’t win again until the final day of the season, against Crewe, 12 games later.
Played For Both
Liam Kinsella signed for Walsall as an eight-year-old and worked his way through various youth levels before signing his first professional contract in March 2014. He made his senior debut against Bradford City on 16 August 2014, and was named man of the match in a 0–0 draw.
He scored his first senior goal in a 2–0 win over Burton Albion in October 2015, to help Walsall leapfrog the Brewers to the top of the League One table. Kinsella described the goal as “one of the best moments of my career so far”.
He was offered a new contract by Walsall at the end of the 2018–19 season. In January 2021, he signed a new two-year contract.
Kinsella was named as the club’s Player of the Season in 2020–21 and 2021–22.
He departed the club upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2022–23 season.
Kinsella signed for Swindon Town on 28 July 2023, linking up again his former manager at Walsall, Michael Flynn.
On 24 January 2024, Kinsella joined League One club Cheltenham Town on an eighteen-month contract, reuniting with former Walsall manager Darrell Clarke.
On 2 June 2025, Kinsella signed a new one-year contract at Cheltenham, with the option of an additional year.
Kinsella made his Republic of Ireland U19s debut on 25 February 2015, in a friendly match against Azerbaijan Under 19s. He was named in the starting eleven for the match at Tallaght Stadium. His second appearance came just two days later in a 2–0 win against the same opposition at the same venue.
He earned his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland U21s in September 2016, and made his debut 12 months later against Azerbaijan U21s.
His father is former Walsall FC and Republic of Ireland international footballer Mark Kinsella. His younger sister is Olympic gymnastics bronze medallist, Alice Kinsella.
Also:
Aden Flint, Willie Penman, Dave Bamber, Andy Williams, Dave Syrett, Richard Green, Rollin Menayese, Ben Purkiss, Chris Hussey, Tyrese Shade, Reece Devine…
I may have missed someone. Comment below if you know anyone else.. 
Lump On
The Saddlers have won 4 of their 5 pre-season friendlies, racking up 13 goals and conceding 3, with 4 clean sheets in those wins and the new attackers, Stuttle & Pressley in amongst the goals.
Lump Off
Our overall record against Swindon is pretty average with the Robins just shading it (W38/D30/L41) 
UTS Match Poll
- Walsall Win
- Draw
- Swindon Win
