Jon Whitney hopeful for Walsall FA Cup run

The National League outfit head to the Banks's Stadium on Saturday to contest the first round of the world's oldest knock-out tournament.

Having guided the Saddlers to 12th in League One, just three points outside the play-offs, Whitney's primary aim for the season is to try and push his team into the top six.

But the boss is also keen for a strong run in the Cup, after admitting it's a competition that holds great memories for him.

"The FA Cup is a competition that has some great memories for me," Whitney said. "I grew up watching it.

"Normally it was Liverpool in the final and you'd get up and watch it with your family right throughout the day.

"Your whole house was kitted out because that's all that there was on TV.

"You would see the team buses arrive. You would have a full day of the FA Cup and I think it's sad that tradition has been lost a little bit.

"But it's still held in high regard by me. When I played in non-league I got to the first round twice.

"And the feeling of playing against a league team, I don't think there is a better feeling – you want to bottle it."

Despite being separated by 46 places in the football pyramid, Whitney is refusing to take the Silkmen lightly and travelled up to watch their clash with Chester last week. And the boss is determined to do everything in his power to make sure his side are not the victim of a famous FA Cup upset.

"When you are a non-league team playing someone from the Football League, you want to do everything in your power to beat them," Whitney continued. "I know exactly where Macclesfield will be coming from.

"It's changed a little bit now because a lot of the teams in the National League are full-time. But we know they are a good unit and are going to be a big test."

Meanwhile, Whitney has paid tribute to Walsall academy manager Neil Woods, who is set to leave the club after five years on November 11.

Woods is responsible for helping guide a host of young players from the youth team into the Saddlers first-team squad. But he will soon be taking up a similar post at Grimsby.

"I know Neil Woods is moving on but I'd like to wish him all the best," Whitney added. "The academy are in a rich vein of form. They have four clean sheets out of the last five. He has been great for the club over the past five years and really helped carry the philosophy forward.

"Whoever comes into replace him will have big boots to fill."

Woods himself confirmed he has opted to leave to spend more time with his family.

He said: "It's been a real personal decision for me.

"My family home is back in the area and Grimsby Town is a club I played for for nine years and worked there as a youth coach and manager. It's where I live so I can go home every night to my wife and kids. I can't thank Walsall enough and I'll always remember the time I spent here."