Mat Sadler

Mathew John Sadler (born 26 February 1985) is an English former professional footballer who is currently head coach of Walsall.

He played as a left-footed defender, capable of playing either at full-back or as a centre-back.

Sadler played in the Premier League and the Football League for Birmingham City.

He spent most of his career in the Football League, for Northampton Town, Watford, Stockport County, Shrewsbury Town, Walsall, Crawley Town, Rotherham United and Oldham Athletic.

Sadler was born in Birmingham, West Midlands.

He began his career as a junior with Birmingham City.

He made his first team debut on 2 October 2002 in a League Cup second round tie away at Leyton Orient, starting in the 3–2 win at Brisbane Road.

A month later, he made his Premier League debut in a 3–1 home win over Bolton Wanderers, again as a starter.

On 21 November 2003, having not played for Birmingham that season, Sadler went on a two-month loan to Northampton Town, playing eight games, seven of which in the Third Division.

In May 2004, signed a new contract to keep him at Birmingham.

However, Sadler suffered ankle and foot problems.

At the end of the 2005–06 season, Sadler was awarded the Radio WM Breakthrough Award at the club's annual dinner.

He also signed a two–year contract with the club.

On 7 February 2006, having not played for Birmingham since 28 December 2002 nor any team since 10 January 2004, Sadler made his return in a 2–1 home win over Reading in an FA Cup fourth round replay, coming on for Mathew Birley after 59 minutes.

This was his only appearance until 1 April when he was in the first team to play Chelsea at home, a goalless draw.

He stayed in the starting line-up for the remaining games, as the season ended with relegation.

In the 2006–07 season, Sadler began to be first team regular in the left-back position.

However, Sadler suffered a groin injury in training, resulting him missing out for four matches.

Sadler then made his return to the first team on 30 September 2006, playing 90 minutes, in a 1–1 draw against Leicester City.

Sadler played a role in a match against Coventry City on 31 October 2006 when he provided assist for Nicklas Bendtner to score the only goal of the game with a win.

As a result, Sadler never played again for the remainder of the 2006–07 season, as Birmingham City were promoted back to the Premier League.

Despite this, Sadler made thirty–six appearances.

After this, Sadler continued to be a first team regular in the left-back position for the remainder of the season until he was dropped from the first team ahead of the match in favour of Stephen Kelly against Barnsley on 9 April 2007.

Manager Steve Bruce explained his decision to leave out Sadler of the squad.

In the 2007–08 season saw Sadler suffered a knock and Achilles problem at the start of the season.

After missing out the first two matches, Sadler made his first appearance of 2007–08 when he came on as a substitute for Fabrice Muamba in the 80th minute, in a 1–0 loss against West Ham United on 18 August 2007.

Sadler then provided assist for Garry O'Connor in the 27th minute, in the first round of the League Cup, in a 2–1 win over Hereford United on 28 August 2007.

However, Sadler struggled for the first team place after losing his left-back position to Franck Queudrue and Liam Ridgewell.

As a result, Sadler was sent to play in the reserve.

But in December, Sadler returned to the first team in the left-back position in his first league appearance since December, in a 2–1 loss against Newcastle United on 8 December 2007.

However, on his next appearance against Reading, Sadler came under criticism when his back-pass short led to goalkeeper Maik Taylor brought down Stephen Hunt in the penalty box, leading Hunt to take the penalty himself and converted the penalty successfully.

After the match, Taylor defended Sadler, stating he could one day bounce back.

After appearing one more appearance, Sadler was left out of the squad once again and attracted interests from clubs around England.

Upon joining Watford, Sadler said it was an honour to play for Birmingham City, the team he grew up supporting, and regretted not playing enough games for the club.

Despite the injury, Sadler was the regular in the first team for the remainder of 2007–08 season, making fifteen appearances.

Sadler joined Watford on 24 January 2008 for an initial fee of £750,000, rising to £900,000 depending on appearances.

He signed a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Sadler made his Watford debut on 29 January 2008, making his first start for the club, in a 1–1 draw against Sheffield United.

In the 2008–09 season, Sadler started well, appearing for the first three matches to the start of the season until he suffered a lateral knee ligament injury.

Nevertheless, Sadler then signed a three–year contract with the club, keeping him until 2010.