Former Witham player Cody McDonald could be heading for Football League stardom.

And the man who gave him his first senior start said the Spa Road club are brimming with pride, in seeing their former youngster reach for the stars.

McDonald, who left Town last year after more than four years with the Ryman League club, has been strongly linked with a move to the likes of Norwich City, Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace this week.

He initially rose to prominence with current club Dartford, having played for Maldon Town and before that, Witham.

Tony Last - current chairman at Witham and former manager - gave McDonald his first-team debut when he was just 16.

McDonald was plucked out of the Braintree and North Essex Sunday League, where he had been playing for Valley Swifts, by Town.

After just three reserve-team games, McDonald was promoted to the first team.

And he went on to become one of the club’s most valuable assets.

Last is delighted to see his former player on the cusp of great things.

He said: “The boy deserves his chance.

“He has so many qualities – he has lots of pace and he has one of the most devastating right-foot shots in the non-league game, “He is a natural goalscorer and he’s good in the air too.

“I had no qualms about playing him at such a young age.”