Matty Fryatt returns to Walsall to launch coaching career

Fryatt has become the Saddlers’ new under-15s coach, and has returned with Bowerman, who will lead the under-11s.

Both players came through the Walsall youth system, and Fryatt was the Saddlers’ top scorer and player of the season in 2004/05.

The 32-year-old trained with Walsall last season in a bid to earn a deal before retiringfrom playing in February, having not played in three years.

“I’m delighted to be back at the club and it’s a new chapter for me, from playing to coaching,” said Fryatt.

“I’m already in the process of doing my A licence and building on the B licence that I’ve achieved already.

“I started here as a nine-year-old boy and progressed through all the age groups, the youth team, the reserves and then the first team.

“I’m looking forward to passing what I’ve learned through the game onto the next generation and hopefully help develop future players for Walsall.”

Sedgley-born Bowerman scored 11 goals in 59 appearances for the Saddlers, but the 26-year-old’s playing career has stuttered since then.

He said: “It feels amazing to be back here. If you had told me three or four years ago I’d be back coaching, I’d probably have laughed at you.

“They always say that wherever a journey takes you, you always end up back home. Walsall has always been my footballing home.

“I know the path the lads are going through so hopefully I can give them some advice and help them try to make it to the first team.”

Mark Bradley, who returned in May as the club’s strength and conditioning coach, will now lead the academy’s gym work.

Bradley was Walsall’s 2007/08 Young Player of the Season and spent several years at Walsall before joining Rotherham in 2010.

He retired from playing in 2015 and returned to the Saddlers in May as a coach, but will now be working with the academy.

He said: “The work I’ll be doing with the Under-9s to the Under-18s will be mainly gym based, doing strength work and injury prevention.

“There are plenty of players who’ve come through the system, like I did myself.

“Hopefully I can pass my experiences onto the younger lads and help get them ready for the first team.”

Academy Manager Graham Biggs said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the three of them to share their knowledge and experiences with our academy boys.

“I know all three personally and worked alongside Mick Halsall as a young coach with Mark Bradley and Matty Fryatt when they were progressing through the ranks.

“George Bowerman I know a little better having played a part in recruiting him and coaching him through various stages of his time with the club.

“I look forward to working with them as they enter a new chapter in their football careers and hopefully I can help and mentor them in some capacity along the way.”