Wes Saunders

Who is Wes Saunders?

Wes Saunders 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. The following season he had a lengthy spell as caretaker manager of the team following the sacking of John Impey, and reverted to his playing role upon the appointment of Ivan Golac as manager. 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.