Martin Hinshelwood last night vowed to watch with pride as his former youth teamers impress on the biggest stages next season.

Albion’s head of youth – and former first team manager – is leaving the club after a stint of 14 years.

Since being brought in by Brian Horton in 1998, Hinshelwood, has overseen the graduation of 31 players from the centre of excellence to the first team, including current stars Adam El-Abd, Lewis Dunk and Jake Forster-Caskey.

Hinshelwood, 58, thanked coaching, medical and admin staff at the club for their support over the years and added: “I think I can take a step back and say it has been a job well done.

“I will also take great personal satisfaction every time I see one of those players play, at any level of the game, professional or non-league.

“Dean Hammond and Dan Harding will be playing in the Premier League next season with Southampton while Joel Lynch and Adam El-Abd have been on international duty this week with Wales and Egypt repectively.

“For each of those, there are also a number of other boys who have played the game at a variety of levels, and I am extremely proud of all those players and each of their achievements.”

Hinshelwood had an ill-fated stint in charge of the first team in 2002 but has also been a steady hand on occasions as caretaker boss, most recently just before Gus Poyet took charge in 2009.

He added: “I will always be proud to have managed the club, however brief, and even if that didn’t go as well as I would have liked.”

Hinshelwood was assistant manager with the Seagulls from 1984 until 1997 and has also coached at Portsmouth and Chelsea.

His youth team graduates included Adam Virgo, who was later sold to Celtic for a then club record £1.5million.