Walsall’s new Head of Youth Dean Smith says he wants to bring the best youngsters from the West Midlands into the Club.
Smith spent five years as a player with the Saddlers and was a team-mate of current Manager Chris Hutchings.
He plans to route a “conveyor belt” of players into the first team and says Walsall and Orient have a similar approach towards their Youth systems.
He told BBC West Midlands:
“It’s very similar to my last Club, Leyton Orient, where a third of the squad had come through the Youth system. Walsall are exactly the same, we rely on it heavily because of the limited budget for the first team.”
“I’m hoping there’ll be continuity throughout the Club with a conveyor belt of players coming through. You’ve got more chance of your kid coming through a Club like Walsall and going on to play in the first team.”
“There isn’t that chance at the top clubs, because the Premier League is a global game and the market is massive.” He added.
Smith spent part of his time managing the Reserve and Youth teams at Orient and his role at Walsall will involve work alongside Hutchings and Assistant Manager Martin O’Connor.
