Former Claret leaves Saddlers

Last Updated : 31-Jul-2002 by

The former Burnley player of the 1960s joined Walsall as assistant when Colin Lee took over as manager, he had worked with him previously at Wolves. The parting of the ways is down to Merrington entirely and Walsall have said they are disappointed to lose him so close to the start of the season.

He has been involved in football coaching for around 30 years after retiring as a player prematurely. He left Burnley for Bristol City on a free transfer but injury prevented him from ever making his debut for the Bristol club.

He coached for a while at Ashton Gate before returning to Turf Moor to take charge of the youth team under Jimmy Adamson. He then moved on to both Sunderland and Leeds with Adamson and then joined Southampton where he stayed for some twelve years before losing his job after a year as manager.

Next stop was Wolves with Colin Lee and then to Walsall until today’s news. Whether the 57 year-old returns to the game is not known, just that he has left Walsall for personal reasons.