Earlier today Walsall Football Club announced that experienced former player and manager John Ward had joined the club as Professional Development Coach where he will work with Richard O'Kelly and Head of Youth Development Neil Woods in preparing the club's young starlets for possible progression to the first-team.
Following the publication of the news, John spoke via club's official website and discussed his delight at returning to the game, along with outlining what his role will entail.
Speaking via Saddlers.co.uk, John said; “It’s nice to get back on the grass, get my boots on and start working with players again. I’ve had a while out of it so I’m looking forward to it. I’ve always described myself as a coach who manages, rather than a manager who coaches.
“Working with teams and players individually – particularly with the young lads here now – in some ways, it’s me giving something back to the game after an enjoyable career.
“My role is to help these young players to get in around the first-team, and support them emotionally, physically and tactically. I can’t say I’ll get six players in the first-team and they’ll stay there because for players aged 18/19/20 that’s a tough ask.
“But it’s about developing a relationship with the players. It’s about trying to develop them mentally as well as physically, because physically they’re fine – they’re all good athletes.
“But mentally they’ve got a lot to deal with – making errors, dealing with good times as well as the difficult ones. So it’s about helping them on the path of life, as much as in football.”