Saddlers fans will travel just under 5,000 miles following their team in League Two next season.
We are taking a look at each of the 23 stadiums we will be visiting. Here's part two...
Forest Green Rovers – 146 miles (round trip)
A new ground for Walsall fans to visit, the 5,032-capacity New Lawn is powered by renewable energy and serves vegan food. The entire South Stand and North Stand roof were both transported from their old Lawn ground, which was located just a few hundred yards from the new stadium.
Grimsby Town – 284 miles
Our last visit to Grimsby came during our last League Two campaign in 2006/07 – a 2-1 loss. Based in Cleethorpes, Blundell Park is an old-school ground with an all-seater capacity of 9,052. Part of the Main Stand dates back to 1901, while the four huge floodlights pylons will be modified this summer.
Leyton Orient – 276 miles
Winless in seven trips to Orient, Walsall’s last victory at Brisbane Road came over a decade ago, in March 2009. Renamed the Breyer Group Stadium, the 9,271-seater ground has a unique look with residential apartment blocks in all four corners and an attractive gable on the old East Stand roof.
Macclesfield Town – 124 miles
History was made at Moss Rose in 1997, when the Saddlers romped to a club-record 7-0 FA Cup victory. One of the EFL’s smallest stadiums, the 6,335-capacity Cheshire ground has a raised Main Stand that sits astride the halfway line and an open terrace allocated to visiting supporters.
Mansfield Town – 132 miles
Darrell Clarke’s former stomping ground, Field Mill is the oldest professional football stadium in the world. Three stands are modern, with the two-tiered Ian Greaves Stand particularly impressive, while the disused Bishop Street Stand was condemned in 2006, a year before our last visit. Capacity: 9,186.
Morecambe – 250 miles
The Saddlers’ only competitive meeting with Morecambe ended in a 2-0 EFL Trophy defeat at the Globe Arena in 2015. Replacing Christie Park in 2010, the 6,476-capacity stadium has seated accommodation on one side and terracing on the other three, with one stand open to the elements.
Newport County – 196 miles
The scene of that dismal FA Cup exit in 2017, Rodney Parade is the second oldest ground in the EFL after Preston’s Deepdale, first opening in 1877. Traditionally a rugby stadium, with capacity reduced to 7,850 for football, it has two open ends and eight floodlight pylons protruding from the roofs.
Northampton Town – 118 miles
We have been beaten on our last two visits to Northampton, having won on the previous four. Opened in 1994, Sixfields Stadium has four separate stands and seated accommodation for just under 8,000 supporters. Work on expanding the East Stand began in 2016 but remains unfinished.
