The 2005-06 campaign delivered ultimate heartbreak for Walsall as The Saddlers finished a crushing 24th in League One, resulting in a devastating relegation to the fourth tier after two drops in three seasons. The tumultuous year was defined by profound managerial instability, with Paul Merson sacked in February following a disastrous run of results and his replacement, Kevan Broadhurst, lasting only until relegation was confirmed on the final day. Despite the chaos, young striker Matty Fryatt's 11 goals proved decisive before his mid-season transfer, and the club also found brief solace in cup runs, reaching the FA Cup Fourth Round. It was an unforgettable chapter that saw the historic club hit a low point, culminating in the immediate post-season appointment of Richard Money to begin the fight for an immediate return.