Youngster links up with Chasetown...
SADDLERS youngster, Danny Griffiths, has today joined non-League side, Chasetown, on loan, subject to FA approval.The 18 year-old will link up with Craig Harris' side just in time to be included for The Scholars League clash with Lincoln United on Saturday and Griffiths has expressed his delight at the prospect of gaining his first taste of competitive action.
"I'm very excited by the opportunity to go out and get a taste of first-team football," he said with a smile. "Being a local lad, I know Chasetown very well, they're a decent club and I am really looking forward to getting settled in and make an impact down there."
The all-action striker has been a regular in The Saddlers' reserves so far this season and the youth team graduate believes that turning out for the clubs second-string has helped him improve as a player.
"Playing for the reserves has definitely helped me progress and develop as a player," he added. "I've learnt a lot, not just in games but also in training as the tempo in sessions has increased, so I've had to grow into it and I'm definitely feeling the benefits.
"It's up to me now to take this chance and continue to work hard and press forward as a player, so I'm excited by the chance to go out on loan and do just that."
Local lad, Griffiths, has climbed through the ranks at the Banks's Stadium and signed his first professional contract with the club earlier this year.
The down-to-earth front-man has praised the time manager, Dean Smith and his coaching staff put in with gelling the younger players in amongst the first-team squad and is looking forward to repaying the faith shown in him by earning his senior debut for The Saddlers in the near future.
That said, he admits he will not be getting too far ahead of himself just yet.
"The manager and the coaching staff have helped not just me, but the rest of us younger lads immensely," he went on. "They pass on their knowledge and experience which we pick up on and take on board.
"I'll be aiming to go out, score plenty of goals, work hard and hopefully impress enough to repay the manager here.
"I've been here since I was ten years of age and grew up here, so I would love to repay everyone by being a success with Walsall.
"That's the aim, but I'm very level-headed and will be taking it one tiny step at a time and will put everything into my time at Chasetown first and foremost."