Walsall Football Club have announced that Academy Manager Neil Woods, who has been part of the Saddlers' youth set-up for five years, is to leave the club in favour of a return to one of his former sides Grimsby Town.
Woods, who is keen to return to his family home in Lincolnshire, spoke to club journalists and discussed his decision to return home, speaking via Saddlers.co.uk,Woods said; "It’s been a real personal decision for me. My family home is back in the area and Grimsby Town is a club I played for for 9 years and worked there as a Youth Coach and Manager.
"I have a big connection to the area and the people. It’s where I live so I can go home every night to my wife and kids. I can’t thank Walsall enough and I’ll always remember the time I spent here.
"The set up of the club does exactly what it says on the tin. It promotes young players and they really back it. I think for a number of years Walsall have done that and much more.
"Hopefully we’ve been a good fit for each other but that’s up to other people to say. The whole ethos here is commendable and it’s a blueprint for other clubs to copy."