Saddlers youngster dies

A 17-year-old Saddlers youth player has died of cancer. First-year apprentice Danny White died in hospital after a 10-month battle with the disease.

The teenage striker was taken on at Walsall through the club's Centre of Excellence. The Selly Oak-born youth had previously played at Birmingham City.

A minute's silence will be held at Bescot Stadium before Saturday's game against Barnet in honour of the teenager, with flags around the ground flying at half-mast until his funeral.Saddlers chief executive Roy Whalley said today: "Danny was an extremely popular member of the youth team and was predicted to have a bright future ahead of him in the game. His early death is nothing short of a tragedy.

"Danny thought he had beaten the disease but it came back.

"Although we cannot begin to imagine how his loved ones are feeling, our thoughts and prayers are with them at this sad time."

The club's head of youth football Mick Halsall said: "He was a fantastic lad with so much ability.

"He was highly thought of by everyone at the club."

Due to his illness, the player was restricted to a couple of youth team appearances this season.