Walsall Wood to bounce back at bottom of pyramid next season

Wood last October resigned from the Northern Premier League's Midlands Division due to uncertainties behind the scenes including claims management and players had not been paid.

The club confirmed upon the resignation there was not even cash to support the first team.

Their records in a second season at step four of the non-league pyramid were expunged and no first-team football has taken place at the Oak Park club since.

But Walsall Wood have now confirmed they have been accepted to enter Midland League Division Three next season, four tiers below their previous position.

The club have also confirmed Adam Pearce has taken on the role of manager for the club's new era. Pearce, who previously managed Wolverhampton Casuals, stepped in to help out in the club's final fixtures before their withdrawal early in the campaign, after former manager Ian Long had departed.

Youth football has continued under the Walsall Wood banner this season.

A club statement read: "After the difficult seven or eight months the club has had, volunteers and staff have been working hard in the background to get things moving towards a brighter future.

"We are aware we are far away from where we should be, but we will rise again!

"Thank you to the volunteers and staff who have worked tirelessly to make things happen. Let's get back to enjoying first-team football."

Wood were crowned champions of Midland Premier, at step five, in 2023 and were subsequently promoted to the highest place in the club's history before things shuddered to a halt last autumn.

New boss Pearce has confirmed former Walsall youngster and Worcester City, Stourbridge and Hednesford Town midfielder Sean Geddes as part of his backroom staff.

Pearce said: "I'm really happy to be jumping back on board at the Wood after a tough period last season.

"Being from the area the club holds great memories for me and being given the chance to help bring it back to life was a project I didn't want to turn down."