The rebuild of Macclesfield Football Club

Macclesfield Town were expelled from the National League four days before the start of the 2020/21 season. Now, under new management and ownership, they sit top of the Northwest Counties League Premier Division; the fifth step of non-league football. The Silkmen’s top scorer, Tom Clare, spoke to me about the rebuild of the club and how much of an effect the Macclesfield fans have on the teams current run of form. “The fans play a massive part in us winning games especially at away games when the pitches aren’t the best and it becomes a battle, the fans get us through it every time,” said Clare. The Macclesfield fans have been excellent in numbers so far this season, taking by far the highest number of fans in the league to both home and away games, averaging over 2,800 at home games and over 600 away, unbelievable numbers for a club so far down in the footballing pyramid. With the club reforming rapidly over the past year, the club were forced to bring in an entirely new management staff and full squad of players, which would appear a challenge. “I thought it was going to be harder to be honest playing with a brand-new set of lads but we’ve all gelled so fast on and off the pitch which helps us get the 3 points on gameday at the end of the day,” said Clare. The club currently sit top of the league, 2 points clear of Skelmersdale United with a game in hand; with very clear aims for the end of the season. “The goals for this season are to get promoted and that’s the be all and end all, and goals for me are to score as many goals as possible to help me play at the highest level I can”, said Clare. The reform of Macclesfield Football Club has been resounding, for the club to have been completely refurbished from top to bottom in less than a years’ time; to then be top of the current league table is a remarkable story, and one that will be massively appreciated by the loyal fans who consistently turn up in numbers week in week out.