Mat Sadler expects Walsall's close connections with Drogheda United to strengthen
Mat Sadler says he is pleased with the early synergy between Walsall and Drogheda United and only expects the close connection between both clubs to strengthen.
Walsall's owners Trivela Group purchased a 100 per cent stake in Irish outfit Drogheda in November last year and have been working under a multi-club ownership model for the past 12 months.
Since then, Walsall have signed Evan Weir from Drogheda last winter before loaning him back out for the rest of the 2023 season, while Douglas James-Taylor has enjoyed a goal-laden loan spell at Weavers Park since arriving in July.
James-Taylor extended his tally 13 goals across all competitions from the spot with Drogheda's second in their 2-0 victory over Derry City in the FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium last weekend.
Drogheda face an all-important League of Ireland play-off clash against Bray Wanders later this afternoon.
A number of Walsall representatives and even supporters jetted over to Dublin for the game and Sadler has been pleased with the early collaboration under the Trivela umbrella.
"More to come hopefully. As it keeps going as well we'll see more young players that we'll bring in that then maybe go to Drogheda," boss Sadler noted.
"There will be young players from there who maybe come over to us. I think you'll see the links continue to get stronger and stronger.
"Myself and Kevin Doherty (Drogheda manager) speak on a fairly regular basis. Just more well wishing than anything but there's good links across the board with all of that."
Co-chairman Ben Boycott stated in the summer that neither project will be in front of the other and that the collaboration will function purely for the benefit of both clubs.
And Sadler has revealed that there is scope for more transfer activity between both clubs but insisted that it will work both ways.
"If they ever do any more clubs then it'll be exactly the same thing as well and I think it can all work under the same umbrella for lots of different reasons," he continued.
"Without going overboard, Manchester City make it work so I think we'll be able to make it work in our way and the close links that we have.
"I'm sure that will stretch to coaching synergies as well so it's a unique opportunity at the football club to have these relationships that we have.
"It's a unique thing that we have that we've got to use because we've not ever had that chance and opportunity to do it before.
"It's a wonderful way for people who we think are on the cusp here to go and get games there. Again, people over there, you've seen that I've recruited from there before."
