'I'm so pleased they have got their reward' - Paul Cox heaps the praise on Mansfield Town owners John and Carolyn Radford ahead of Arsenal FA Cup tie

Stags will lock horns with the 14-time winners on Saturday as they look to write themselves into FA Cup folklore.

And Cox, who guided Stags during the club’s memorable FA Cup defeat against Liverpool in 2013, believes the club’s moment in the national spotlight is the least the Radford’s deserve.

“I am so pleased for the chairman and Carolyn, “ said Cox. “I'm pleased they have got their reward for their continued hard work.

“I still think of Mansfield as my club. They were tremendous to work for and I will always have that relationship with John and Carolyn.

“I hope the game gives them everything they need in terms of finances and recognition and being put on the world stage again.

“It is a huge game. Arsenal, in my opinion, are the best team in Europe at the minute. More importantly it gives something back to two people who have been tremendous for the club.

“I can’t speak highly enough of both of them and I hope they go one better and beat Arsenal.”

Radford bought control of Stags back in 2010 and began the long process of rebuilding a club languishing in what is now the National League and in desperate need of some TLC.

That landmark day has resulted in John and now wife Carolyn investing hundreds of thousands of pounds into the club they love over the years.

Amongst the many visible improvements Stags can now boast is the state-of-the-art training facility in Pleasley, the new Bishop Street stand and a greatly enhanced corporate hospitality and matchday experience.

But Cox believes much that the Radfords and their behind the scenes staff do for the club goes unnoticed.

“It has been unbelievable what they have done for the club,” Cox added.” A lot of it has gone under the radar for me.

"There’s a lot of hard work that has gone unnoticed over the years and it is a reward for everyone at the club.

“What John is really good at is being consistent. I hope they both have a great day and get the right result. What a test and what an occasion for the whole club.

“There's still a huge part of me in the club, there always will be with the journey I had with them - it’s never going to leave me.”

The brave 2-1 defeat to Liverpool 13 years ago proved to be the catalyst in helping faltering Stags finally regain their Football League status.

Mansfield went on to win 20 of their final 24 games, including a club record 12 straight wins, on their way to lifting the Conference Premier title on the last day of the season.

And Cox is hoping the mouth-watering clash with the Premier League leaders can have a similar impact on Nigel Clough’s current crop.

“I hope it gives Nigel and the players what it gave us, the impetus to go and attack promotion,” said Cox.

“We just went on an amazing run in the league after the tie. After the game I remember talking to the players and saying how it could do one of two things, it can either deflate you or inspire you.

“That group was an amazing group to work with and they just took it on as a challenge. That season will live with me for the rest of my life, in terms of the emotion.

“Everyone was just emotionally shattered going into the final game of the season. Me, the chairman, the players, I think even the supporters were shattered. It was such a rollercoaster of a season.

“I hope it gives them momentum to sneak into the play-offs, which would be an unbelievable achievement for the club.

“It is a squad more than capable of going and competing.”