Walsall youth signing

An article picked up from thisis devon site reports Walsall have signed a goalkeeping prospect, who towers at 6ft 2in and he is only 16!!!

So welcome to Bescot James Wannell

Yesterday was the most exciting day in the life of James Wannell so far when the 16-year old goalkeeper from Newton Abbot joined Coca Cola League Two high fliers Walsall on a two year football scholarship.

Already a towering 6ft 2in in height, the former Teign School student has been snapped up at the Bescot Stadium having been scouted by Nottingham Forest and spending a week undergoing trials at the City Ground.

He also had 18 months with the Exeter City School of Excellence and, before that, with the Torquay United School of Excellence until it closed some two and a half years ago for cost saving reasons.

'James has always been a goalkeeper - since the age of five - and should sprout another couple of inches before he stops growing,' said his proud mum, Suzanne.

'Before Torquay United, he played youth football for Newton Town, and is now thrilled to have this opportunity after Nottingham Forest got in touch with Walsall.

'They (Forest) weren't in a position to offer him a place, but Walsall had room and he signed forms after travelling to Walsall with his dad (Glenn) yesterday.'

Professional clubs outside of the West Country were alerted to James's potential when repeatedly starred last season for Devon on the way to beating Lancashire in the final of the English Schools' FA Under-16 Cup at Ewood Park, the home of Premiership club Blackburn Rovers.

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