The 2008-09 campaign delivered a year of solid mid-table consolidation for Walsall as The Saddlers secured a safe 13th-place finish in League One. Leading the charge was the emerging young forward Troy Deeney, whose impressive haul of 12 goals and 7 assists proved vital in a season built on attacking promise and the support of experienced forwards Jabo Ibehre and Michael Ricketts. It was a crucial year that marked the clear breakout of Deeney as the club's new talisman and remains a key chapter in his development and The Saddlers' modern history.