___   >>>   click here to see his youth stars in action  

Walmsley, who helped steer the early careers of players such as Mathew Ryan, Bernie Ibini, Nick Fitzgerald and Mitch Mallia will take up his new position at the end of next month.

As Head of Academy Recruitment, he will manage Sheffield’s scouting network, development centres, club partnerships and internal strategy. The strategic role will be crucial to the Blades’ plans to return to the English top flight. 

Manchester-born Walmsley said: “Being part of the Mariners through the growth of A-League and the implementation of the National Youth league has been very rewarding. 

“I've had the privilege of working under two managers with two very different styles in Arnie (Graham Arnold) and Lawrie (McKinna) and will take a lot of positive experiences with me.  

“But now I’m looking forward to a new challenge. I’ll be a senior manager in an academy responsible for the recruitment of players between five and 21.

“Sheffield have ambitions to get back into the English Premier League but they want to do in an organic way by developing players through their academy rather than spending big figures in the transfer market.”

Walmsley who was in the mix for CCM head coach when it looked like Arnold was off to Sydney FC said he was excited about throwing himself headlong into the English football culture.

“What I’m looking forward to most is going back to a country where football is the first sport,” he said. “Sheffield get 18,000 people out to a game in the English first division. It’s exciting to be part of that.”

Walmsley moved to Australia 25 years ago as a player coach. After roles as Academy Director for the official Manchester United Youth Development Program throughout Oceania, and a successful spell as Director of Football at the Gladesville-Hornsby Football Association, he was chosen to lead Mariners Youth for their second season.

In his three years as youth coach, the club’s gun squad has picked up two premierships, a championship and never strayed out of the top two in the comp.

Walmsley also helped extend the brand and recruitment reach of the club, through the establishment of the A-League’s first academy structure on the coast and in the state’s west.

Mariners Chairman Peter Turnbull, wished Walmsley well in his new role.

“Through passionate Mariners Director Kevin McCabe the Central Coast Mariners enjoy strong links with Sheffield United,” Turnbull said.

“These links are now even stronger with Tony moving to England.“Both Clubs can expect to benefit even more from Tony’s switch and while we are disappointed Tony is leaving, we are happy that he is staying in the family, so to speak.”

Walmsley said he hoped to develop the relationship between the clubs even further from the UK.

The move is imminent but he hasn’t packed his bags just yet.

This weekend he will continue to work alongside generation next when the Mariners youth team play two friendly matches in Mudgee including a clash with their Western Sydney Wanderers counterparts.

  ___   >>>   click here to see his youth stars in action