John Saunders (footballer, born Newport)

John Saunders
Personal information
Full name John Saunders
Place of birth Newport, Wales
Position Centre back
Youth career
Birmingham City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1970–1971 Newport County
1971–1972 Leeds United 0 (0)
1972–1976 Walsall 99 (2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

John Saunders (born 1950) is a former professional footballer, who played for Newport County, Leeds United, and Walsall.

Career

Saunders was a Welsh schoolboy international and in 1966 Birmingham City beat four other clubs to sign him, a promise to let him train as a carpenter sealing the deal.[1] He played in the both legs of the 1966–67 FA Youth Cup final defeat to Sunderland.[2] He did not however break through into the first team and in 1970 joined his hometown club Newport County.

After a season with the Ironsides, he was picked up by Leeds United as an understudy to Jack Charlton,[3] at a fee reported as being as £7,000 (plus add-ons for appearances)[4] and £12,000.[5]

However Saunders was injured in a reserve match soon after joining United, and Leeds signed Roy Ellam as cover for Charlton instead, leaving Saunders surplus to requirements.[6] In October 1972 therefore Football League Third Division leaders Walsall signed Saunders for "a small fee".[7]

Saunders was a Walsall regular until the 1975–76 season, losing his place towards the end to Roger Fry,[8] and he left professional football at the end of the season.

References

  1. ^ The other clubs were Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bury, Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Newport County: Malam, Colin (14 June 1966). "Blues beat 5 clubs to signing". Birmingham Daily Post: 25.
  2. ^ "Brown goal sinks battling Blues". Birmingham Post: 15. 23 May 1967.
  3. ^ "Walsall's Cup heroes". Walsall Observer: 59. 24 January 1975.
  4. ^ "Bad news and a signing for Leeds". Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition): 14. 20 July 1971.
  5. ^ "...and Steve steps up for Blues". Sports Argus: 5. 24 July 1971.
  6. ^ "Walsall want Leeds pivot". Shropshire Star: 32. 2 October 1972.
  7. ^ "Gibson and Clark join Bournemouth". Coventry Evening Telegraph: 22. 3 October 1972.
  8. ^ "Saunders out as Saddlers give recall to Fry". Sandwell Evening Mail: 24. April 1976.


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