The Saddlers welcome the Spireites to the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium.
The Opposition
Following a largely-successful August and start to the 2025-26 term, September commenced in sensationally-poor fashion for Chesterfield on Tuesday night, when they were the victims of a Crewe crusade at Mornflake Stadium.
A match in the EFL Trophy’s Northern Section soon turned into the scene of a Spireites slaughtering, with a hat-trick from Stoke City loanee Emre Tezgel the clear highlight of a 7-1 victory for the Railwaymen.
Looking to put their heaviest defeat of the last decade firmly behind them, Chesterfield return to League Two affairs on Saturday afternoon boasting 13 points from six matches so far, meaning that they sit second in the standings, one point behind leaders Gillingham.
Whilst the Mornflake mauling is likely to play on the minds of the Spireites for the foreseeable future, Paul Cook’s men possess some good recent memories of away matches, including their latest fourth-tier outing on August 23, when goals from defender Cheyenne Dunkley and playmaker Ronan Darcy secured a 2-1 triumph.
The Proposition
Despite both finding the net at Shrewsbury earlier in the week, Walsall pair Albert Adomah (with his 100th career goal) and Ryan Finnigan are likely to drop to the bench on Saturday afternoon.
The Saddlers are without the services of club captain Brandon Comley, who has been selected for international duty with Montserrat.
Also starting the victory over the Shrews, young centre-back Dan Cox is representing Wales Under-21s over the next week.
Expect a swift reversion to a first-choice XI for Chesterfield after Tuesday’s Crewe embarrassment, with Dylan Duffy and Armando Dobra providing major threat from the flanks.
Left-back Adam Lewis was a bright spark for the Spireites last time out and found the net, although the 25-year-old has managed just 27 League Two minutes this term.
The First Time
The first meeting between the sides (they were Chesterfield Town), was in League Division Two on the 11th November 1899, which resulted in a 6-3 home win for Walsall.
The Worst Time
A 7-0 hammering at away at Chesterfield on the 10th November 1923 in Division Three (North).
The Last Time
The Saddlers last meeting with Chesterfield was in the play-offs last season with 2-0 away and 2-1 home wins for Walsall.
Played for both
Ex-Saddler Will Grigg currently plays for Chesterfield.
Grigg began his professional career at Walsall and came to prominence during the 2012–13 season, winning the club’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards. Since then, he has played for a number of clubs, including Brentford, MK Dons, Wigan, Sunderland, and Rotherham.
In 2016, a Wigan Athletic supporter created the song “Will Grigg’s on fire” as a tribute to Grigg, sung to the tune of “Freed from Desire” by Italian singer Gala. It has become a popular football chant.
Walsall
Having courted interest from West Bromwich Albion, Grigg signed a scholarship at League One side Walsall in the summer of 2008. Assigned the number 24 shirt, he made his league debut against Cheltenham Town in December 2008. He scored his first senior goal in a 2–2 league draw against Bristol Rovers on 11 January 2011. Grigg finished the 2010–11 season having made 30 appearances and scored four goals. Grigg made 32 appearances and scored four goals during the 2011–12 season.
Grigg became a regular starter during the 2012–13 season and scored seven goals before the New Year. Grigg started 2013 in style with a goal, an assist and his first professional Man of the Match award in Walsall’s televised league match against Portsmouth on 4 January. His impressive form continued as he scored his first hat-trick in a 3–0 victory at Carlisle United on 26 February, bringing his season tally up to 14 goals. He finished the 2012–13 season with a run of 10 goals in 11 matches. Grigg’s form led to interest from Championship side Derby County and Premier League sides Aston Villa, Southampton and Norwich City. Grigg won the Walsall Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards for the 2012–13 season, having made 45 appearances and finished as the club’s top scorer with 20 goals. Grigg’s contract expired at the end of the season and he left the club after turning down a new four-year deal. He finished his Walsall career having made 109 appearances and scored 28 goals.
Chesterfield
On 22 June 2023, Grigg joined National League club Chesterfield for an undisclosed fee on a 3-year contract, reuniting with previous manager Paul Cook.
Having scored six goals in as many matches, Grigg was named EFL League Two Player of the Month for October 2024.
International career
Grigg was born in England but was eligible to play for Northern Ireland through a grandparent. He has represented Northern Ireland at U19, U21 and senior level. He scored on his U21 debut after coming on as a substitute against San Marino in a UEFA U21 European Championship Qualifier on 3 September 2010 and earned his first senior cap in a 6–0 defeat to the Netherlands in a friendly on 2 June 2012, playing the full 90 minutes.
Personal life
Grigg was born into an Aston Villa 
supporting family and supported the club up until the age of seven, when he joined Birmingham City and changed his allegiances.
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Lump On
Thanks to the play-offs we met Chesterfield on 4 occasions last season, with 0 losses, 3 wins and 1 draw. Our overall record against them is slightly in our favour at W38/D29/L31.
Lump Off
Chesterfield are 2nd in the table with only 1 league loss, against top of the table Gillingham.
Goal Tally (sponsored by Owly McOwlface)
Connor Barrett - 2
Evan Weir - 1
Aaron Pressley - 1
Harrison Burke - 1
Charlie Lakin -1
Ryan Finnigan - 1
Albert Adomah - 1
Jid Okeke - 1
UTS Match Poll
- Walsall Win
- Draw
- Chesterfield Win
