Walsall juniors to get cash injection

Jan 18 2008 By Brian Halford, Birmingham Mail

WALSALL'S youth set-up has received a £25,000 boost - courtesy of Aston Villa fan Chris White.

And Mick Halsall, head of youth at Bescot, hailed the windfall as "fantastic".

The £25,000 was donated by Coca-Cola as part of their 'Find The Next Rooney' campaign and when White's name came out of the draw, he could nominate where the money went.

As the initiative applies only to Coca Cola League clubs, he could not send it to his beloved Villa - so Walsall, his favourite Football League club, got the nod.

And boys as young as seven coming through the Saddlers' system will reap the benfit.

"It's a terrific boost for us," said Halsall.

"For someone to think of us, as Chris has, is a fantastic gesture and we will try to make it work for us as much as we can. It might just help us find another first-team player.

"We will discuss how best to use the money but probably it will go more to the lower age groups, the sevens to 16s in the centre of excellence.

"It might mean we can get some more equipment or send some of our coaches on some more course."