Harrison names his man to step into key role
ALBION have confirmed the appointment of Jamie Smith as the Club's new Under 18s coach.
Jamie steps up from his current role as youth development officer for the 12 to 16s age group to fill the vacancy left by Aaron Danks joining the FA's coaching ranks.
Smith is a former Wolves, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Bristol City full back who has the distinction of having performed under three England managers in Graham Taylor (Wolves), Terry Venables (Palace and Kevin Keegan (Fulham).
Now he gets the chance to put all his experience into the development of Albion's acclaimed Academy starlets and Academy Director Mark Harrison (pictured) could not be more pleased.
"Jamie is stepping up from the 12-16s group where he has worked for a number of years and I believe he is a perfect appointment for us," he said.
"He has a depth of experience and knowledge of the Club and our DNA and a wealth of experience as a player - even if he did start with our local rivals!
"But he is a local boy who understands the area and in particular our recruitment dynamics. That's one of the advantages of appointing from within."
Smith, who has his A and FA Youth Advanced licenses, begins his new role on July 1.