Wes Saunders

Infobox Football biography
playername = Wes Saunders


fullname = Wesley Saunders
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1963|2|23
cityofbirth = Sunderland
countryofbirth = United Kingdom
currentclub =
position = Central defender
youthyears = –1981
youthclubs = Newcastle United F.C.
years = 1981–1985
1985
1985–1987
1987–1990
1990–1993
clubs = Newcastle United
→ Bradford City (loan)
Carlisle United
Dundee
Torquay United
Spennymoor United
caps(goals) = 79 0(0)
04 0(0)
97 (11)
50 0(2)
61 0(6)
manageryears = 1998–2001
managerclubs = Torquay United

Wes Saunders (born February 23, 1963) is an English former professional footballer and football club manager.

Saunders was born in Sunderland and brought up in Boldon Colliery, attending Boldon Comprehensive school. He began his career as a junior with Newcastle United, turning professional in June 1981.

Increasingly out of the first team picture at Newcastle, Saunders joined Bradford City on loan in March 1985, moving to Carlisle United for a fee of £20,000 in August 1985.

Saunders subsequently joined Dundee before joining Torquay United in July 1990 for a then club record fee of £60,000. He captained the Torquay side to promotion the following season, Torquay beating Blackpool on penalties in the play-off final at Wembley. His professional playing career was ended by a knee ligament injury just a couple years later.

On leaving Torquay he played non-league football for Spennymoor United and went on to play for and coach a number of non-league sides in the north east of England while working in his family's textile firm.

In summer 1998, Saunders became manager of Torquay United, after the departure of Kevin Hodges. He struggled to maintain the progress made by Hodges and in the 2000–01 season, Torquay struggled to the extent that former player Colin Lee was brought in as a consultant. Saunders was dismissed by Torquay on March 28 2001 after a 1-0 defeat to Carlisle United F.C. the previous week had left the club at the bottom of the league and facing relegation to the Football Conference.

He subsequently became a player agent and his players included former England international Paul Gascoigne. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/football/2171784.stm Doonhammers want Gazza] ]

He is the brother-in-law of former Torquay United players Matt Elliott and Micky Holmes.

He now lives in East Boldon with his wife, Tina and two children, Lola and Harris.

References