MACCLESFIELD Town go into their fifth successive season in non-league’s top tier with genuine hopes of a return to the Football League which they graced for 15 years before slumping to relegation in 2012. Jordan Davies analyses whether Macc have what it takes…
After Steve King unsuccessfully attempted to take the Silkmen straight back into League Two, (although he did make FA Cup history by taking Macc into the fourth round for the only time in their history), the managerial reins were handed to club legend John Askey.
The former striker is synonymous with Macclesfield Town having represented the club for his whole career making over 500 league appearances.
After a shaky 2013-14 when the Silkmen toyed with the idea of a relegation scrap after going winless in their first 10 matches, Macc had an excellent 2014-15 and were unfortunate to miss out on the end of season playoffs by just one point.
Last season ended with Macclesfield just inside the top 10 of the newly named National League but they can be buoyed by a strong end to the season that saw them lose just one of their final 12 league encounters.
As ever some of Macc’s stand out players have moved on to clubs with looser financial purse strings, club captain Paul Turnbull has joined Barrow, Reece Styche – who rapidly became a fans favourite – has signed for Gateshead but the Silkmen will miss Kristian Dennis most, who after scoring 23 goals last season has taken the step into the Football League with Chesterfield.
After Turnbull’s departure the captain’s armband will be donned by full-back Andy Halls, although only 24 years of age Halls has been a mainstay of Macc’s defence since Askey took charge and he’ll be able to utilise the expertise of fellow defenders John McCombe and George Pilkington as and when required.
Former Newcastle and Everton midfielder Steve Watson has been appointed Askey’s assistant for 2016-17 which is a shrewd move by the Cheshire side.
Watson is very knowledgeable about the non-league scene and has contacts much higher in the football pyramid, he may prove an invaluable asset to the team.
First five games:
- Torquay United (H) – Saturday August 6
- York City (A) – Tuesday August 9
- Braintree Town (A) – Saturday August 13
- Southport (H) – Tuesday August 16
- Sutton United (A) – Saturday August 20
Signings in:
Craig Ross (from Whitehawk, free): With Shwan Jalal having rejected the offer to stay in Cheshire for another campaign the Silkmen needed another goalkeeper to challenge Ritchie Branagan for the number one jersey. Ross looks like a safe pair of hands who has performed admirably in pre-season during which Macc have kept four consecutive clean sheets.
Mitch Hancox (from Birmingham City, free): After impressing during pre-season, the former Birmingham City defender secured a deal at the Moss Rose and is set to compete with David Fitzpatrick for position on the left of the defence.
Oliver Norbury (from Guiseley, free): Norburn caused controversy last season when he accidentally scored for Guiseley against Braintree when attempting to return the ball back to the Iron goalkeeper. Formerly of Plymouth and Bristol Rovers and standing at six foot one, Norburn will add height and passing quality to the Silkmen’s midfield.
Kingsley James (from FC Halifax Town, undisclosed fee): Macclesfield Town signing a player for a fee is a very rare thing indeed, whilst not believed to be more than a few thousand pounds the signing of James is a clear step in the right direction. James is tough tackling and a midfield fighter, he has big shoes to fill now Paul Turnbull and Danny Whitehead have headed off to pastures new but James is brave enough to take on the challenge.
Jack Mackreth (from Tranmere Rovers, free): This could be the best piece of business John Askey has pulled off this summer. Mackreth rejoins Macc for his second spell and has pace to burn. He is a handful for any non-league defender and is perfectly adept at crossing with either foot. He famously put the cross in for Matthew Barnes-Homer’s first goal when the Silkmen defeated Cardiff in the 2012-13 FA Cup Third Round.
Players out:
Shwan Jalal (to Wrexham, free): Iraq international Jalal was a big part in Bournemouth’s rise up the divisions and has left Macc after one season to keep goal for league rivals Wrexham.
Tony Diagne (Released): Popular defender Diagne was released after failing to tie down a regular spot in the team, as of the time of writing he had not signed for another club.
Paul Turnbull (to Barrow, free): ‘Bully’ as he was affectionately known was Macc’s on-field leader, a dead ball specialist with a great eye for a pass he’ll be a big miss in the engine room, Macc will find his leadership skills tough to replace.
Danny Whitehead (to Wigan Athletic, free): Whitehead was a key man in the Silkmen’s midfield, it was no coincidence that Macc’s worst run of the season came when he was injured, creative with an eye for goal he has rightly moved up the leagues.
Reece Styche (to Gateshead, free): Released by Kidderminster mid-season but vindicated Askey’s decision to sign him with a series of hard-working performances. There is no such thing as a lost cause when Styche is playing, by the end of the season he was keeping Kristian Dennis out of the side.
Kristian Dennis (to Chesterfield, free): Whilst Dennis was technically on a season-long loan last campaign he had essentially torn up his contract at Stockport County when he signed for Macclesfield. Either way 23 goals in all competitions is going to be hard to replace as he will be plying his trade for Chesterfield in 2016-17.
Key players:
Danny Rowe: Rowe is undeniably one of the National League’s best players. He has the ability to run with the ball gliding past opponents with consummate ease whilst his left foot could open the proverbial tin of beans. Many thought he would make the move up the pyramid at the end of last season but John Askey convinced Rowe to have one last campaign at the Moss Rose. Expect Rowe to shine both on the left-wing and, as he’s ably demonstrated in pre-season, in behind the front man.
John McCombe: What John McCombe doesn’t know about defending isn’t worth knowing. The veteran centre-back joined Macc towards the back end of 2015-16 and the club went on a nine game streak without defeat, coincidence? I think not. McCombe is a great example to the younger players of how to conduct yourself on and off the field and will presumably prove a great resource for new captain Andy Halls to tap into.
Chris Holroyd: As the song goes ‘He comes from Macclesfield, he plays for Macclesfield’ but Chris Holroyd is more than just a local boy done good. Holroyd was initially signed by Steve King as a striker and proved his worth netting a hat-trick in a 4-3 win at local rivals Stockport County in just his fourth appearance but has drifted out onto the right-wing under Askey. With Kristian Dennis gone and no obvious replacement signed Holroyd might just get the chance to star up front once more.
Potential line-up:
Prediction:
On paper the Silkmen have a side that looks capable of having a very successful season. They look strong at the back; you won’t find a better centre-back partnership than George Pilkington and John McCombe outside of the Football League.
In midfield they have bite, the signings of no-nonsense midfielders Kingsley James and Oliver Norburn show Macc will be able to rough it up with the best of them if they have to.
Going forward the Silkmen look like they’ve build a side with a focus on quick attacking threats from out wide, Danny Rowe and Jack Mackreth are speed merchants and will hug the touchline whenever possible.
The only question mark is who will score the Silkmen’s goals.
Jack Sampson managed only a handful in 2015-16 and it looks like he will be leading the line again when the season starts on Saturday against Torquay United.
If Sampson starts firing then Macc will be strong in all departments, if not wins could still be found if goals are shared between the likes of Chris Holroyd, Paul Lewis, Danny Whitaker and the aforementioned wingers, all of whom have an eye for goal.
Braintree Town showed last season that you don’t have to be a big team with financial clout to do well in this division, expect Macc to run very close to the playoffs and reach the latter stages of the FA Trophy.
Verdict: 5th
By Jordan Davies
@Jordandavies09
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