Walsall will play National League champions Lincoln City at Sincil Bank in a pre-season friendly this summer and it will be a proud moment for former Imps defender and Saddlers boss Jon Whitney.
It was yesterday announced that we will be playing Lincoln, who won promotion back to the EFL last season as well as reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals by beating Premier League side Burnley - the first non-league side to reach the final eight in 103 years.
Whitney made 121 appearances as a City player between 1995 and 1998, scoring 11 goals before moving to Hull City that December.
Now Whitney will bring his Saddlers side back to Sincil Bank for a match this summer as we prepare for the 2017/18 Sky Bet League One season, and the Walsall manager could not be prouder to take our first-team to a ground which holds such fond memories for him.
“Playing at Lincoln is one of my fondest memories as a player,” said Whitney.
“We got promoted under John Beck to Division Two in 1998 and we had the likes of Gareth Ainsworth and Darren Huckerby playing for us.
“The fans in the city that year were incredible - I lived there for four years and my son Luke was born in the county hospital.
“They had a fantastic season last time out; gaining promotion and enjoying a wonderful run in the FA Cup.
“I hope they have another great season and the manager and players deserve great credit.
“I’m very proud to be Walsall manager, and I’m very proud to take the team to Lincoln this summer.”