One of our own signs for another two years
We have taken a keen interest in Ronan Maher’s (known as Ram) development. My tiktok has a superb example of his great footwork against Darlington whilst on loan at Rushall Olympic.
It does seem that Ram is ready for the first team. He recently featured in a Carabao cup game away at Stoke and after a quiet start grew into the game and took plenty of plaudits which intimated he was ready for the first team stage. Ram does have plenty of competition ahead of him in either a left sided no. 8 or as a left wing back. The highly rated Jake Hollman from Australia seems ahead of him at the moment, so we will have to see if he can impress when he does get mins.
Early Career & Youth Development
Ronan Maher played futsal at an early age and spent four years at West Bromwich Albion before being released at under-11 level. He then joined Walsall at the age of eleven. Born on December 30, 2004, in Birmingham, England. Maher has progressed through Walsall’s academy system.
He was the under-18 team’s top-scorer during the 2021–22 campaign which earned him recognition as a promising prospect within the club.
First Team Breakthrough (2022)
Maher made his first-team debut on the opening day of the 2022–23 season on 30 July 2022, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute in a 4–0 win over Hartlepool United at the Bescot Stadium. At just 17 years old, he started in League Two against Gillingham for his senior debut.
He signed a three-year professional contract the following month after impressing in his early appearances, marking a significant milestone in his career development.
First Professional Goal
Maher scored his first professional goal for Walsall on 8 August 2023 in a 3–4 EFL Cup first round defeat to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
Loan Spells for Development
Rushall Olympic (2023-24)
On 25 August 2023, Maher signed for National League North side Rushall Olympic on a youth loan He spent nearly a full season at Rushall Olympic, gaining valuable experience playing men’s first team football.
Tamworth (2024-25)
Maher joined Tamworth on loan and marked his debut with an assist in a 2-1 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge at the Lamb. However, he suffered an ankle injury while on loan at Tamworth and was set for “few weeks” of rehabilitation as of December 2024.
International Recognition
Despite being born in England, Maher has represented Ireland at U-19 level, choosing to represent his Irish heritage at international level.
Current Status
Now 20 years old, Maher is valued at €75k and plays as a left midfielder. His journey from being released by West Brom at age 11 to becoming a professional footballer at Walsall demonstrates his resilience and development through the club’s academy system. The loan spells at Rushall Olympic and Tamworth have been part of his ongoing development to gain regular first-team experience leading to his latest challenge of breaking into Walsall’s senior squad permanently.
