The short answer
Walsall (League Two) runs a Category 3 academy with squads from Under-9. It can register Under-9 to Under-11 players who live within 1 hour of the academy and Under-12 to Under-16 players within 1½ hours. From Under-17 there is no limit. The academy is based at Walsall FC Academy, Lichfield Road, Bloxwich, Walsall.
| League 2026/27 | League Two |
| Academy | Category 3 |
| Academy age groups | Under-9 to Under-21 |
| Academy base | Walsall FC Academy, Lichfield Road, Bloxwich, Walsall |
How far Walsall can recruit from
Under Rule 262 of the Youth Development Rules, a Category 3 academy can only register players who live within these travel times of its main training venue:
| Age group | Travel limit |
|---|---|
| Under-9 to Under-11 | 1 hour |
| Under-12 to Under-16 | 1½ hours |
| Under-17 to Under-21 | No limit |
Trials have their own limits: 1 hour at Under-9 to Under-11, 1½ hours at Under-12 and Under-13, and no limit from Under-14 to Under-16 (Rule 270).
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Compensation if a player leaves Walsall
When a player aged Under-9 to Under-16 leaves the Walsall academy for another club and compensation is due (for example, because Walsall wanted to keep the player), the new club pays a fixed training cost for each year the player was registered here, at the Category 3 rate (Rule 363).
For example, a player registered at Walsall from Under-9 to Under-14 would cost the new club £82,500 in training costs, before any appearance payments. Read how it works in our EPPP compensation guide.
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Nearest other academies
Approximate straight-line distance between academy bases. Journey times by road will be longer.
| Club | Category | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | Category 1 | 7 miles |
| West Bromwich Albion | Category 1 | 8 miles |
| Aston Villa | Category 1 | 13 miles |
| Birmingham City | Category 1 | 16 miles |
| Burton Albion | Category 3 | 17 miles |
| Stoke City | Category 1 | 26 miles |
Frequently asked questions
What category is the Walsall academy?
Walsall runs a Category 3 academy in 2026/27, with academy squads at Under-9 to Under-21.
How far can Walsall recruit academy players from?
Under-9 to Under-11 players must live within 1 hour of the academy and Under-12 to Under-16 players within 1 and a half hours. From Under-17 there is no limit.
Where does the Walsall academy train?
The Walsall academy is based at Walsall FC Academy, Lichfield Road, Bloxwich, Walsall.
Source: EFL iRecruit: Head of Academy Physiotherapy, Walsall - 'Category 3 Academy' (2026 (closing 2026-07-31)); Academy Manager Williams leaving Walsall after four years (Training Ground Guru) (2025-11); Training Ground Guru club profile: Walsall (Academy Category: Three) (undated profile (cites 2025/26 Academy Productivity Rankings); accessed 2026-10-29). Last checked 29 October 2026. Academy categories can change after an audit. If something here is out of date, email info@scout52.com.