Macclesfield F.C.

Macclesfield Football Club is an association football club based in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England.[2] It is a phoenix club of the former Macclesfield Town F.C. founded in 1874, which was wound-up after a High Court ruling on 16 September 2020.[3] The club began their first competitive season in the North West Counties Premier Division, the fifth step of the National League system, in August 2021, winning promotion to the Northern Premier League Division One West.

For the previous club founded in 1874, see Macclesfield Town F.C.
For the Australian rules football club, see Macclesfield Football Club.
Macclesfield F.C.
Full nameMacclesfield Football Club
Nickname(s)The Silkmen
Founded13 October 2020 (2020-10-13)[1]
GroundLeasing.com Stadium
Capacity4,720 (2,095 seated)
ManagerNeil Danns (player-manager)
LeagueNorthern Premier League Division One West
2021–22North West Counties League Premier Division, 1st of 21 (promoted)
WebsiteClub website

History

Macclesfield F.C. is a successor to Macclesfield Town.[4] Founded in 1874, Macclesfield Town was liquidated and expelled from the National League in 2020 because of debts of over £500,000.[5] Its assets were put up for sale, including the Moss Rose stadium on the Rightmove property website.[6] In October 2020, the stadium and all available assets were purchased by Robert Smethurst, the owner of Stockport Town, with the aim of returning professional football to Macclesfield by creating the phoenix club as Macclesfield F.C.[7] Smethurst appointed the Welsh former professional footballer Robbie Savage as a member of the board for the new phoenix club with Danny Whitaker as manager.[8] He also invested in upgrading the stadium to improve the commercial viability of the new club.[9]

In May 2021, it was announced that Macclesfield would be placed in the NWCFL Premier Division for their first season.[10] Savage announced that the club would be joining with his foundation to offer free tickets to foundation participants to encourage youth attendance at the club's matches.[11] Macclesfield entered the FA Vase for the first time in 2021–22.[12]

2021–22 season

On 31 July 2021 Macclesfield played their first competitive match, a 1–0 win at home against Burscough in the NWCFL Premier Division played in front of a restricted capacity sell-out crowd of 2,018; Leon Arnasalam scored the only goal.[13] The club's first away match was on 3 August, a 4–4 draw at Winsford United, also in the NWCFL Premier Division, with Tom Clare scoring all four Macclesfield goals.[14] On 7 August Macclesfield played their first FA Cup match, beating Burscough 4–0 in the Extra Preliminary Round, but were then knocked out of the FA Cup in the Preliminary Round losing 6–4 at Squires Gate.[15]

On 30 August Macclesfield defeated local rivals Congleton Town 1–0 in the NWCFL Premier Division in front of a record crowd of 3,502, James Berry-McNally scoring the only goal.[16] The match was suspended for several minutes late in the second half due to crowd trouble.[17] It was the first time the neighbouring towns had met in a league match since the 1964–65 season.[18]

On 11 September, Macclesfield played in the FA Vase for the first time, losing 3–2 at Northern Counties East League Premier Division side Winterton Rangers in the first qualifying round.

Macclesfield F.C. was featured in a BBC Sport documentary film, Robbie Savage: Making Macclesfield FC, broadcast on 13 November 2021, which described the launch of the new club following the collapse of Macclesfield Town.[19]

Despite a relatively poor run of form at the start of the new year (L2, D1, W2 in January), a run of ten consecutive wins followed, in which 37 goals were scored and only four conceded.[20] On 12 March 2022, Macclesfield secured the North West Counties Premier Division title and promotion to the NPL Division One West after a 4–0 win against Ashton Athletic, becoming the first club in England's top nine tiers in 2022 to guarantee promotion.[21] Macclesfield finished their league campaign on 2 April, 15 points clear of second-placed Skelmersdale United.[22]

2022–23 season

In October 2022, with the club three points clear at the top of the NPL West Division, Danny Whitaker was replaced as Macclesfield manager by David McNabb.[23] McNabb stepped down in December 2022, with midfielder Neil Danns being appointed interim manager.[24]

Shirt sponsors and manufacturers
Period Kit Manufacturer Shirt Sponsor
2021– Adidas boohooMAN

Players

Current squad
As of 15 February 2023[25]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK  IRL Joe O'Shaughnessy
— GK  ENG Nathan Pennington (dual-registered with Squires Gate)
— GK  BRA Marcelo Pitaluga (on loan from Liverpool until 30 June 2023)
— GK  ENG Wyll Stanway (on loan from Chester until 30 June 2023)
— DF  IRL Isaac Abankwah (dual-registered with Squires Gate)
— DF  ENG Dan Cowan
— DF  ENG Lewis Fensome
— DF  ENG Sam Grimshaw
— DF  ENG Jacob Hanson
— DF  ENG Brandon Lee
— DF  ENG Tom Thorpe
— MF  ENG Harry Bower
— MF  ENG Alex Curran
— MF  GUY Neil Danns (player-manager)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  ENG Mark Duffy
— MF  ENG Charlie Duke (dual-registered with Wythenshawe Amateurs)
— MF  FRA Dylan Fage
— MF  FRA Laurent Mendy (captain)
— MF  ENG Luke Murphy
— MF  IRN Navid Nasseri
— MF  ENG Brandon Newell (dual-registered with Wythenshawe Town)
— FW  ENG James Berry
— FW  ENG Tom Clare
— FW  ENG Kane Drummond
— FW  ENG James Hardy (on loan from Buxton)
— FW  ENG Neil Kengni
— FW  ENG Ntumba Massanka
— FW  ENG Nicky Maynard
— FW  ENG Tre Pemberton

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF  ENG Joe Bunney (at Marine until 1 April 2023)
— DF  ENG Liam McColl (at Daisy Hill until 30 June 2023)
— MF  ENG Max Bardsley-Rowe (at Prestwich Heys until 30 June 2023)
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF  POR Abdul Djaló (at Skelmersdale United until 30 June 2023)
— MF  IRL Abimbola Obasoto (at Clitheroe until 30 June 2023)
— FW  ENG Harry Freedman (at Glossop North End until 30 June 2023)

Management

Managerial history
Dates Name Notes
2020–2022 Danny Whitaker
2022 David McNabb
2022– Neil Danns player-manager

Seasons

As of 14 January 2023[27]

Season League FA Cup Other competitions Top scorer Average home
attendance
Division Pld W D L F A Pts Pos Name League
2021–22 NWCFL Premier Division 40 29 7 4 94 38 94 1st
Champions 		PR FA Vase QR1 Tom Clare 23 3,390
NWCFL Challenge Cup QF
Cheshire Senior Cup R2
2022-23 NPL Division One West 23 18 1 4 61 14 55 1st QR2 FA Trophy R1 James Berry 25
Cheshire Senior Cup

Club honours

League

Club records
As of 14 January 2023[29]

Attendance
  • Highest home attendance (Top 3):
4,720[lower-alpha 1] v AFC Liverpool, 2 April 2022 – NWCFL Premier Division
4,604 v Ashton Athletic, 12 March 2022 – NWCFL Premier Division
4,512 v Hanley Town, 26 December 2022 – NPL Division One West
  • Lowest home attendance:
402 v Cheadle Heath Nomads, 2 November 2021 – Cheshire Senior Cup First Round
  • Highest away attendance (Top 3):
2,024 v Leek Town, 16 August 2022 – NPL Division One West
1,680[lower-alpha 2] v Congleton Town, 26 March 2022 – NWCFL Premier Division
1,340 v West Didsbury & Chorlton, 3 September 2022 – FA Cup First Qualifying Round
  • Lowest away attendance:
181 v Northwich Victoria, 16 November 2022 – Cheshire Senior Cup First Round

Results
  • Biggest home win:
7–0 v Tadcaster Albion, 13 September 2022 - FA Trophy First Qualifying Round
  • Heaviest home defeat:
1–3 v Stockport County, 7 December 2021 – Cheshire Senior Cup Second Round
2–4 v Wythenshawe Town, 8 January 2022 – NWCFL Premier Division
0–2 v Guiseley, 29 October 2022 – FA Trophy First Round
  • Biggest away win:
0–6 v Vauxhall Motors, 22 February 2022 – NWCFL Premier Division
  • Heaviest away defeat:
6–4 v Squires Gate, 21 August 2021 – FA Cup Preliminary Round
4–2 v Longridge Town, 20 September 2021 – NWCFL Premier Division
2–0 v Avro, 29 September 2021 – NWCFL Premier Division
  • Highest scoring draw:
4–4 v Winsford United (A), 3 August 2021 – NWCFL Premier Division
  • Highest aggregate score:
(10) 6–4 v Squires Gate (A), 21 August 2021 – FA Cup Preliminary Round

Streaks
  • Longest unbeaten run (All comps):
17 matches, from 14 January 2022 to 2 May 2022
  • Longest unbeaten run (League):
18 matches, from 14 January 2022 to 6 September 2022
  • Longest unbeaten run (Home - All comps):
14 matches, from 31 July 2021 to 7 December 2021
  • Longest unbeaten run (Home - League):
13 matches, from 31 July 2021 to 8 January 2022
  • Longest winning run (All comps):
13 matches, from 12 February 2022 to 2 May 2022
  • Longest winning run (League):
14 matches, from 12 February 2022 to 6 September 2022
  • Longest scoring run (All comps):
25 matches, from 8 January 2022 to 6 September 2022
  • Most consecutive clean sheets (League):
5 matches, from 10 December 2022 to present

Player records
  • Most appearances (All comps):[30]
75 – Laurent Mendy, 31 July 2021 – present
  • Goals scored (All comps):[31]
46 – James Berry, 7 August 2021 – present
  • Goals scored in a match:
4 – James Berry v Avro (H), 19 March 2022 – NWCFL Premier Division
4 – Tom Clare v Winsford United (A), 3 August 2021 – NWCFL Premier Division

Cup performances
Second Qualifying Round, 2022–23
First Round, 2022–23
First Qualifying Round, 2021–22
Second Round, 2021–22

Notable players

Macclesfield F.C. players who have attained at least one international cap during their career.

Notes
  1. NWCFL Premier Division record.
  2. Played at Gresty Road, Crewe.

References
  1. "Robbie Savage to join Macclesfield board after Smethurst buys club". theguardian.com. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  2. "Macclesfield FC". Macclesfield FC. Archived from the original on 21 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  3. "Macclesfield Town FC wound up in High Court over debts exceeding £500,000". BBC Sport. 16 September 2020. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  4. "Government review of football will explore alternative ownership models for clubs". The Independent. 23 April 2021. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  5. "Macclesfield Town expelled from National League after club wound up". Cheshire Live. 29 September 2020. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  6. Powell, Dave (1 October 2020). "Macclesfield Town's 129-year-old Moss Rose home up for sale on Rightmove". Cheshire Live. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  7. Scapens, Alex (7 October 2020). "Footballing future in Macclesfield given boost as the Silkmen are bought". Cheshire Live. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  8. "Macclesfield FC: Robert Smethurst takes over club as Robbie Savage joins board". BBC Sport. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  9. Whelan, Dan (14 October 2020). "Macc plots stadium improvements after takeover". Place North West. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  10. "Macclesfield FC: Reformed club to join North West Counties Premier Division next season". BBC Sport. 18 May 2021. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  11. "Robbie Savage launches foundation to give children free access to grassroots football". ITV. 27 April 2021. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  12. "The Buildbase FA Vase Season 2021–22" (.ashx). The Football Association. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  13. Line-ups: Macclesfield 1–0 Burscough, NWCFL website. Retrieved: 4 August 2021.
  14. Line-ups: Winsford United 4–4 Macclesfield, NWCFL website. Retrieved: 4 August 2021.
  15. Line-ups: Squires Gate 6–4 Macclesfield, NWCFL website. Retrieved: 9 September 2021.
  16. Lineups: Macclesfield 1–0 Congleton Town, NWCFL website. Retrieved: 9 September 2021.
  17. Robbie Savage bravely steps in to break up fight at Macclesfield game, Daily Mirror (30 August 2021). Retrieved: 9 September 2021.
  18. Silkmen Archives. Retrieved: 9 September 2021.
  19. Golby, Joel (13 November 2021). "Robbie Savage: Making Macclesfield FC – this would be touching TV … if football's court jester would shut up". Guardian. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  20. "NWCFL Club pages: Macclesfield FC". Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  21. "Macclesfield crowned champions in first season". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  22. "NWCFL League Table". NWCFL. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  23. Gordon, James (31 October 2022). "Macclesfield Unveil New Manager". NPL News. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  24. Barnes, Dan (13 December 2022). "Ex-Bolton Wanderers man Neil Danns named interim boss at Macclesfield". The Bolton News. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  25. Macclesfield Macclesfieldfc.com. Retrieved: 19 May 2022.
  26. Macclesfield NWCFL.com. Retrieved: 15 November 2021.
  27. https://macclesfieldfcarchives.co.uk/
  28. "Macclesfield FC: Silkmen crowned champions in first season". BBC Sport. 12 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  29. https://macclesfieldfcarchives.co.uk/
  30. https://macclesfieldfcarchives.co.uk/player-appearances/
  31. https://macclesfieldfcarchives.co.uk/goalscorers/

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