Walsall host Northampton Town in our final home game tomorrow in what is a crucial match for the Saddlers. Ahead of the match, Josh Bunting profiles three players who have played for both sides…
Alex Nicholls
After impressing in reserve and youth team games, Nicholls broke into Walsall's first team in the 2005/06 season, making his debut in December 2005 in a FA Cup clash with Yeovil Town.
In his debut season Nicholls went on to make 13 appearances, which included a Football League Trophy clash with Swansea City; it was in this game that he scored his first professional goal for the club.
However, his season ended prematurely as he broke his leg while playing in a Youth Cup tie with Hednesford Town.
After returning from injury in 2007, Nicholls went on loan to Burton Albion, where he made 14 appearances before returning to Walsall at the end of April.
During the 2007/08 season, Nicholls played as both a right winger and a striker, making 24 appearances and scoring three goals, which included an FA Cup goal in a replay at Millwall.
In his final season for the club he was joint top goalscorer with eight goals.
Nicholls went on to make a total of 219 appearances for the club before leaving on a free transfer in 2012.
He then joined Northampton in June 2012 where he became a fans’ favourite, scoring eight goals in 21 appearances, however injuries played havoc to his career at Sixfields.
James Forrester
Forrester had a short loan spell at the Saddlers in the 1999/2000 season, playing only five games and failing to find the back of the net.
However, Forrester's spell at Northampton was very successful as he scored a goal every other game, winning promotion with the Cobblers in 1999/2000.
His impressive displays led Peter Taylor, manager of the uprising Hull City, to hand him a contract.
Chris Marsh
He began his footballing career as a trainee with Walsall in 1986, joining the club after leaving school, and went on to make 470 appearances in 13 seasons.
He helped the club to promotion in 1995 and 1999, both times as runners-up.
He played primarily as a full-back but, due to his versatility, Marsh played in virtually every position on the field for Walsall.
He played for Northampton from 2001 to 2003 where he made 41 appearances.