Walsall's Dean Keates inspired by promotion winners

The 39-year-old was named Saddlers boss last week after being identified as the man to keep the club in League One.

Keates, who won three promotions with Walsall as a player, returned to his home town side from Wrexham.

And while he’s vowed to be his own man, he will tap into the experience he gained playing under Chris Nicholl, Ray Graydon and Richard Money.

Keates was coming through the youth ranks when Nicholl led the Saddlers to promotion from Division Three in 1995.

He then played a key role as Graydon twice took Walsall to the Championship in 1999 and 2001. He was then part of the Money team that won League Two in 2007.

“I like to think when you play under different managers, you take the best bits from all of them,” Keates said. “I was fortunate to play in some great teams and under some great managers.

“Chris Nicholl brought me through. He was very determined and disciplined.

“It was was the same with Ray Graydon who was, of course, very successful.

“Then I had the joys of playing under Richard Money. And I also enjoyed playing under Darren Ferguson down at Peterborough.

“I have played under some very good managers. I would like to think I have taken little bits and pieces from all of them.

“But you want to put your own scope on everything and do things your own way as well.”

Keates was enticed back to his home town club after Walsall agreed a compensation package with Wrexham.

It’s the first time the Saddlers have paid out to land a manager under owner Jeff Bonser.

And Keates is now determined to repay the faith the board has shown in him.

“They went out and head-hunted me and they have shown trust in me by giving me a three-year-deal,” he said.

“Hopefully, I can repay the faith that has been put in me by the chairman and the board.

“I will represent the club as I did when I was a player.

“I was fully committed, I gave the club everything and that’s what I will do as a manager. I will do my utmost to make the people of Walsall proud.”