One of Shropshire football’s most recognisable figures has made a surprise return to the professional game.

Former Telford United manager Jimmy Mullen has become part of Walsall’s full-time backroom team.

The 54-year-old, who has been working at a BMW car showroom in Shrewsbury, has left Hednesford – where he has been assistant manager – to take the post.

Mullen, who says he will be involved in coaching and scouting, has been out of the professional game for 10 years, since leaving League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers as manager in 1997.

Since then he has managed Telford – where he still lives – and a string ofclubs in Shropshire including Ludlow, Shifnal and Market Drayton before arriving at Hednesford last May.

The former Burnley boss, who took the Clarets to successive promotions in the 1990s, will join the Saddlers squad for today’s trip to his native north east, where Walsall play Hartlepool.

And the former Sheffield Wednesday captain is thrilled to be back in the full-time game after receiving the surprise phone call from director of football Paul Taylor last night.

“I got the call on my way to training at Hednesford,” said Mullen. “Paul said he’s been speaking to Richard Money and asked would I be interested in coming to Walsall, and of course I said yes.

“I’m thrilled and delighted to be back in the full-time game – it’s a great opportunity for me. I always thought I would get the chance and it’s come as a pleasant surprise.

“I’ve known Richard for years, since he was manager at Scunthorpe and I was at Burnley so we used to see each other on the circuit.

“I’ve kept my links with the full-time game and I’ve kept my qualifications up to date – I’ve got my UEFA pro licence.

“And over the last 24 hours, I’ve tried to catch up with all the names in the squad.”

Mullen had been Shropshire FA’s county under-18 manager for five years, but left the post at the start of the season due to a clash with Hednesford commitments.

He has since been replaced with the under-18s by Mick Murphy.