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A floodlit Moss Rose in 2004/05
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I must
apologise as I left off stating there were 4 more games involving Macclesfield
Town when in fact there are 5, so think of it as a bonus game.
Our next
meeting, with Macc, now an Alliance League/Conference/Skrill Premier (delete as
applicable) club, was the final game of the 2013/14 season at Alfreton Town. Previous games
between the two clubs had been while Macc were the higher ranked club but Alfreton
were now on a par and finishing off what was their best ever season in the
football pyramid.
Alfreton
had been top, very briefly, and were strong contenders for at least a play-off
place.
An administrative error saw 3 points deducted, this, along with injuries
to key players saw the season fizzle out and Alfreton finished 11th,
Macclesfield finished the season in 15th helped by the 3 points
gained in this 1-0 win at the Impact Arena. This was the 8th consecutive game at the season's end that Alfreton failed to win, and though it was their best finish, should have been much higher. After noting in a previous blog
that Luton Town had been relegated out of the Football League 5 years
previously, The Hatters re-gained their Football League place as they swept all
before them under the guidance of another of footballs nice blokes, John Still.
This was as
good as it got for Alfreton, the pinnacle of their history, so far. They
enjoyed the goals and skills of Jon Akinde this season, who Barnet snapped up in
the Summer. They had players such as Josh Law, manager Nicky’s son, who went on
to Scottish football before returning to the Football League. The loyal and
passionate Paul Clayton, my favourite from this era, my wife’s too though maybe
for different reasons. Dan Bradley, Jake Speight and many more in possibly the
best side Nicky built at Alfreton.
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Dan Bradley
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Josh Law
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John McGrath
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Dan Wishart
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Nicky Law & Russ O'Neill
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Paul Clayton
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Jon Akinde
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The bonus
game.
Season 2016/17 saw Macclesfield Town in
their 5th season back in the Conference and drawn away to
League 1 Walsall in the FA Cup 1st Round.
Neil Etheridge, currently at Birmingham City, was in the nets for
Walsall and gave away the free kick which Danny Whittaker took and John McCombe
headed home the winner.
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John McCombe heads home Macclesfield's winner.
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Neil Etheridge now in the Championship with Birmingham City
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Despite the
difference in status Macclesfield Town have had their fair share of cup wins
against League clubs and this was to another of those days for the
Silkmen. It was a professional
performance from John Askey’s men as they defended their lead well but looked
comfortable throughout the game and could have increased their lead.
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Walsall
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Walsall
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Walsall
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Walsall
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The Non League Paper reports on Macc's Cup win
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Macclesfield Town fans at Walsall
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John Askey
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Macc celebrate the goal
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It was an
expensive day out for me as I went in to Walsall town centre prior to the game
and didn’t spot the parking restriction signs, though the ticket proudly
displayed on my windscreen was clear to see.
Macc lost
in a 2nd Round replay to Oxford United, 0-3.
Next up, just 2 months later, was one of the best. Macc at home to Tranmere Rovers, top of the table in the
Vanarama National League. It was New Years Day and a trip over the Cat &
Fiddle to have the privilege of sitting pitch side with over 3,000 in
attendance. Tranmere had won the Boxing Day clash 1-0 and their fantastic
following were expectant.
Ten minutes
in and Tranmere had the lead thank to the legend that is Steve McNulty. The
terrace behind the goal was full of Rovers’ fans and they were making for a
great atmosphere.  |
Tranmere fans celebrate scoring
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2 minutes later Macc fans were celebrating as Paul Lewis
dinked a lovely chip over keeper Davies for 1-1.
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Macclesfield celebrate Paul Lewis's equaliser
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A lovely turn and shot in to
the top corner by Ritchie Sutton put Tranmere 2-1 up which they held at the
break. Three goals
in the 2nd half saw Macc beat the league leaders 4-2, Paul Lewis
getting a hat-trick as Tranmere were replaced at the top of the table by
Lincoln City who were to finish in that position and return to the League.
Tranmere made the play off final but lost to Forest Green Rovers while Macc
ended up in 9th.
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| Macclesfield score in the 2nd half v Tranmere |
This was
one of the best and most enjoyable games watching Macclesfield. A large crowd
made for a great atmosphere, it was fast, action packed football from both
sides, a joy to be there.
Macclesfield
managed promotion back to the league the following season which was a
marvellous achievement for the club and John Askey in particular, as there were
off field problems even then.
The farewell season.
It was
their first season back in the Football League that I saw Macclesfield for the final two games, both at Premier League grounds.
They were drawn away to West Ham United in the League Cup 3rd round at
the Olympic Stadium, a ground I’d not visited before. A couple of days in London
with my wife and we took in the splendour of the Olympic site and went to the
game.
Macc had
earnt their place in this round courtesy of 2 penalty shoot-out wins. Bradford
City were seen off in round 1 and it was Walsall who failed to beat the Silkmen
again in round 2. Macclesfield forced a decent save from the Hammers keeper
early on and looked like they might give the Hammers a good game so the 8-0
defeat they suffered wasn’t expected given the early exchanges.
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West Ham United
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It says "West Ham" but it doesn't feel like home
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Great for Olympics
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There were
24,833 in the 80,000 capacity stadium and it seemed like a reserve game. It’s a
fabulous structure but maybe not great for football. The atmosphere at West Ham
games has been questioned and that could also be to do with the football, it’s
just unfortunate for Hammers fans that the decent start this season has been
behind closed doors.
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West Ham Utd v Macclesfield Town
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Some new
grounds built in the wake of Sky’s millions are fantastic grounds, Arsenal and
Spurs for example but compared to Upton Park the Olympic Stadium is
disappointing as a football venue.
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The excitement builds in East London
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West Ham United
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My last
view of the late Macclesfield Town was rather fortunate. I was on leave for a
week and woke up one morning wondering what to do, looked at the fixtures and saw that Newcastle U21’s were at home to Macclesfield in the Checkatrade Trophy
2nd round. A much maligned competition, ignored generally by
football supporters but was I glad it was being played at St James’ Park.
I drove up
via Middlesbrough and called in the Riverside Stadium on the off chance they'd let me in to get some pics of the
ground. Most football supporters will agree that a slight detour to get a view of another ground is just like going the scenic route on a family day out. The club were great, they rang for a guy who was upstairs and he was more than happy to let this stranger in the stadium armed with camera. Like a lot of clubs there are images from past seasons and I mentioned that I'd seen their FA Cup Semi-Final v my club Chesterfield. It turned out the guy used to be reserve goalie at Chesterfield in the
1970’s. We had a chat about that era at Saltergate and the 1997 FA Cup semi
before I carried on to Newcastle. So, below is a selection of pics from the Riverside, Macclesfield didn't play there but if it hadn't been for the wonderful Checkatrade Trophy I wouldn't have been passing.
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| Middlesbrough |
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| Middlesbrough |
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| Middlesbrough |
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| Middlesbrough |
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George Hardwick a Middlesbrough hero.
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| Middlesbrough |
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Middlesbrough
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Despite the Checkatrade Trophy being wonderful not many other folk could be bothered to turn
up and the attendance was just 1,126. I went because I wanted photos of St
James’ Park and catch a game of football in the process, I’m not sure the
reason the other 1,125 went.
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| Newcastle United |
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| Newcastle United |
The
important fact from this game though is that it was the first game in charge of
Macclesfield for Sol Campbell. He saw his new side fail to capitalise on
chances created, having an effort cleared off the line but do enough to force
the game to penalties. Unfortunately, for Sol and Macc, my final viewing of the
Silkmen ended in a penalty defeat 5-3.
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Sol Campbell's first match as Macclesfield Town manager.
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Newcastle United
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Newcastle United
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| Newcastle United |
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| Newcastle United |
It’s been
an on-off affair me and Macclesfield Town, wanting them to lose in games
against clubs I feel close to yet hoping they do well and win in games I had no
real affinity to. They’ve been there at the start and end of football seasons,
helped me in to new grounds and get photos in some old ones and been involved
in big cup ties for them and their opponents.
It’s been
emotional, which is the essence of football. R.I.P Macclesfield Town, good luck Macclesfield FC.
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| Moss Rose, home of Macclesfield FC |
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