Manny Smith latest player to leave Walsall

Manny Smith today insisted the time was right to leave Walsall – after he quit the Saddlers for Notts County.

The defender signed a two-year deal at League One rivals County yesterday to become the 12th player to exit the Saddlers this summer.

Smith, who made his debut in 2007 after coming through the ranks, rejected a new two-year deal with Walsall and said he couldn't ignore the Magpies.

He said: "It was hard, I started there in the youth team and they made me into a player. I played loads of games so it's sad to go but the time was right to kick on.

"I spent all my time there, the gaffer (Dean Smith) was decent and we had a good crowd and good players but it's time to move on.

"Notts County are a big club, very ambitious and I just can't wait to get started.

"I had a few options, but the gaffer here (Keith Curle) showed great interest in me. I sat down and spoke to him a few times and he was very keen on me and very keen on taking the club forwards.

"It's a very ambitious club with a big stadium, good crowd, good players and they finished just below the play offs last season so hopefully we can kick on and try to finish higher.

"David Grof said it's a big club, they will make me a decent player and there's a good atmosphere."

Smith made his Walsall debut in a 2-1 win at Torquay in 2007 and made 138 appearances for the Saddlers after coming through the youth system.

The defender follows fellow defenders Oliver Lancashire, Mat Sadler, Lee Beevers and Darryl Westlake out of the Banks's.

Just Andy Butler and Richard Taundry remain from last season's defence but the club have kept goalkeepers Jimmy Walker and David Grof.

And Smith is set for a swift reunion with his former club when they travel to County for the third game of the League One season on August 25.

"It'll be an interesting one. I need to work on getting into the team and cementing my place here but with Walsall being so early it could be very interesting," he added.