Neil Woods named Walsall youth boss

Walsall today unveiled former Grimsby boss Neil Woods as their new head of youth.

Woods has signed a two-year contract and succeeds current manager Dean Smith – who left the post to become first-team boss in January.

Centre of excellence manager Graham Biggs had been in charge since but the Saddlers have turned to Woods to lead their youth drive.

He said: "I'm looking forward to the challenge immensely. I can't wait to start working with a group of lads who just want to be footballers.

"During my time as youth coach at Grimsby we had some great battles with Walsall. I love the ethos of the club and I'm delighted to be part of it. I've been very impressed by Dean Smith's vision for the club.

"I like to see football played the right way and give the youngsters here thorough preparation and knowledge, so that they can progress into the first-team and stay there.

"I spent nine years in a similar role at Grimsby and during that time we sold over £600,000 worth of talent that had come up through the ranks.

"Outside the Premier League we were the second most successful club in the country in bringing players through from the youth team to first-team."

The 44-year-old started his playing career with Doncaster and had spells at Glasgow Rangers and Ipswich before making 262 appearances, scoring 49 times, for Grimsby in an eight-year stay.

In 2003, Woods was appointed the Mariners' head of youth and took charge of the first team in 2009 after Mike Newell was sacked.

But he failed to save them from relegation to the Blue Square Premier as they dropped out of the Football League last year.

Grimsby were knocked out of the FA Trophy by Chasetown last season and Woods was sacked in February.