HAVING represented Aston and Birmingham Boys, Craig Shakespeare was brought to Fellows Park as an apprentice in 1979.

He impressed whilst coming through the ranks and signed professional forms in October 1981.

Spending seven outstanding seasons with The Saddlers, he netted 60 goals in over 350 outings, helping us reach the semi-finals of the League Cup in 1983/84 as well as promotion via the play-offs in 1987/88.

He had a sweet left-foot and a superb footballing brain and it came as no surprise when he moved on to Sheffield Wednesday in the summer of 1988.

Never really settling at Hillsborough, his next move brought him back to the West Midlands in February 1990 as West Bromwich Albion paid £265,000 for his services. He immediately made his presence felt and established a regular place in the Baggies' side.

An accomplished performer who was always a threat from free-kick and penalty situations, he skippered Albion in 1991/92 and 1992/93 before moving on to Grimsby Town in the summer of 1997 in a £100,000 deal.

He later went on to turn out for Scunthorpe United as he took his senior appearances to 634 before becoming player-assistant manager of Telford United in 1998/99.

He is now back at The Hawthorns in a coaching capacity, but still remembers his time at Walsall with great fondness.