Macclesfield F.C.
Football club in Cheshire, England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Macclesfield Football Club is an association football club based in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England.[2] The club currently competes in the National League North, the sixth tier of the English football league system, and plays its home games at Moss Rose (known as the Leasing.com Stadium for sponsorship reasons).
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| Full name | Macclesfield Football Club | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | The Silkmen | |||
| Founded | 13 October 2020[1] | |||
| Ground | Moss Rose | |||
| Capacity | 5,350 (2,095 seated) | |||
| Owner | Macc Football Club Limited | |||
| Chairman | Robert Smethurst | |||
| Manager | John Rooney | |||
| League | National League North | |||
| 2024–25 | Northern Premier League Premier Division, 1st of 22 (promoted) | |||
| Website | macclesfieldfc | |||
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Macclesfield 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 joined the North West Counties Premier Division, the fifth step of the National League system ahead of the 2021–22 season.[4] Macclesfield recorded three promotions in the four subsequent seasons, winning the North West Counties Premier Division in 2022,[5] the NPL Division One West in 2023,[6] and the NPL Premier Division in 2025.[7] The team also reached the semi-final of the FA Trophy in 2024.[8] In 2026, they reached the fourth round of the FA Cup by becoming the first sixth-tier team to beat a top-tier team (Premier League side Crystal Palace, the reigning FA Cup holders).[9]
History
Macclesfield F.C. is a successor to Macclesfield Town.[10] Founded in 1874, Macclesfield Town was liquidated and expelled from the National League in 2020 because of debts of over £500,000.[11] Its assets were put up for sale, including the Moss Rose stadium on the Rightmove property website.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14] He also invested in upgrading the stadium to improve the commercial viability of the new club.[15]
In May 2021, it was announced that Macclesfield would be placed in the NWCFL Premier Division, the fifth step of the National League system (ninth tier in the English football pyramid), for their first season.[4] 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.[16] Macclesfield entered the FA Vase for the first time in 2021–22.[17]
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.[18] 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.[19] 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 in the Preliminary Round losing 6–4 at Squires Gate.[20]
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.[21] The match was suspended for several minutes late in the second half due to crowd trouble.[22] It was the first time the neighbouring towns had met in a league match since the 1964–65 season.[23]
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 followed the launch of the new club following the collapse of Macclesfield Town.[24]
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.[25] 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.[5] Macclesfield finished their league campaign on 2 April, 15 points clear of second-placed Skelmersdale United.[26]
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.[27] McNabb stepped down in December 2022, with midfielder Neil Danns being appointed interim manager.[28] A 3–1 win against Trafford on 1 April 2023 saw the club crowned champions and achieve back-to-back promotions.[6]
2023–24 season
During the summer of 2023, manager Neil Danns left to take up an assistant role at Tranmere Rovers, and his assistant Mark Duffy was named as the new head coach.[29] Record goal-scorer James Berry departed for a club record fee to join National League side Chesterfield.[30] Luke Duffy joined for a record fee from Warrington Town,[31] and John Rooney, Wayne Rooney's younger brother, returned to the Silkmen having started his career with 41 league appearances for Macclesfield Town.[32]
Macclesfield entered the FA Cup in the first qualifying round. Victories over Whickham, Buxton, and Warrington Rylands secured a place in the fourth qualifying round against Alfreton Town.[33] After four defeats in five games, including a 3–1 FA Cup defeat at Alfreton,[34] Duffy was sacked as head coach on 27 October 2023,[35] and was replaced by Alex Bruce.[36] The Silkmen entered the FA Trophy in the third qualifying round; in the fourth round proper they defeated National League opposition Dorking Wanderers 5–0.[8] Macclesfield were the only side outside of the National League to reach the semi-finals, but were knocked out of the competition in a 2–1 defeat at Gateshead on 7 April.[37]
On 21 February 2024, Bruce stepped down as Macclesfield manager to take up a coaching role at Salford City,[38][39] and was replaced by Michael Clegg, previously manager at Warrington Rylands.[40] Under Clegg, Macclesfield finished second, qualifying for the NPL play-offs, but lost the play-off final 2–1 to Marine.[41]
2024–25 season
Ahead of the 2024-25 season prolific forward Kane Drummond departed to Chesterfield[42] and Luke Murphy was released.[43] On 17 June 2024, Clegg left his role as manager by mutual consent,[44] and Robbie Savage was appointed head coach on the same day.[45][46] Notable summer signings included winger Justin Johnson,[47] midfielder Danny Whitehead, who had four spells at Macclesfield Town,[48] striker Danny Elliott following his departure from National League North side Scunthorpe United,[49] and goalkeeper Max Dearnley from Buxton.[50]
The team began the season with a 1–0 win away at Worksop Town and remained undefeated until a 2–1 loss away to Mickleover on 28 November.[51] 35 league goals from golden boot winner Danny Elliott and 23 clean sheets from Max Dearnley, helped the team to 109 points - a division and club record.[51] Macclesfield's promotion to the National League North was confirmed with six matches still to play after defeating Bamber Bridge 2–1 on 22 March 2025, becoming 2024–25 Northern Premier League Premier Division champions, and ending two seasons in the seventh tier.[7][52]
2025–26 season
Savage signed a new two-year deal to stay as Macclesfield manager, but two weeks later, on 1 July 2025, opted to become Forest Green Rovers' new manager and was replaced as Silkmen manager by John Rooney.[53][54] On 16 December 2025, forward Ethan McLeod died in a car accident while returning from a game against Bedford Town.[55] Following the accident, the club retired the number 20 shirt as a tribute to the former player.[56]
The club made history on 10 January 2026 by beating FA Cup holders Crystal Palace 2–1 in the third round to become the first non-league team to defeat the defending champions since 1909 (when Crystal Palace themselves, playing in the Southern League, beat the holders Wolverhampton Wanderers)[57] and the first sixth-tier team to defeat a first-tier team in the history of the FA Cup.[58]
Stadium
Macclesfield play their home games at the Leasing.com Stadium in the south of the town, which was previously home to Macclesfield Town from 1891 until 2020. The current capacity of the Leasing.com Stadium is 5,350, of which 2,095 is seated.[59] The club's joint highest home attendance was 5,348 on 10 January 2026 for the FA Cup third round tie against Crystal Palace and 16 February 2026 for the FA Cup fourth round tie against Brentford.
The ID Unlimited Main Stand (traditionally known as the London Road or Main Stand) runs along one side of the pitch and consists of a seated grandstand with open air terracing to either side, and the opposite side is the seated Besseges Stand. The club's most vociferous supporters congregate in the WRS Star Lane End, which is a mixture of terracing and seating. Visiting supporters are housed in the open air Silkmen Terrace North (named after a public house which formerly adjoined the terrace) and part of the Besseges Stand.
Shirt sponsors and manufacturers
Players
Current squad
- As of 6 March 2026[60]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Retired numbers
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Player of the Season Awards
| Season | Player | Players' Player | Directors' Player | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 |  Neil Danns |
 Laurent Mendy |
[61] | |
| 2022–23 |  James Berry |
Luke Murphy |
[62] | |
| 2023–24 | John Rooney |
Tre Pemberton |
— | [63] |
| 2024–25 | Danny Elliott |
Laurent Mendy |
Max Dearnley |
[64] |
Management
Team management and coaching staff
|
Club management and staff
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Managerial history
- As of 25 February 2026[66]
| Name | Nationality | From | To | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win%[a] | Honours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Whitaker | England |
13 October 2020 | 29 October 2022 | 68 | 48 | 7 | 13 | 171 | 71 | 70.59 | 1 NWCFL Premier Division |
| David McNabb | 31 October 2022 | 10 December 2022 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 9 | 77.78 | ||
| Neil Danns | Guyana |
13 December 2022 | 5 May 2023 | 21 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 53 | 16 | 71.43 | 1 NPL Division One West |
| Mark Duffy | England |
5 May 2023 | 25 October 2023 | 18 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 34 | 21 | 55.56 | |
| Neil Baker Peter Band Robbie Savage (interim) |
England England Wales |
25 October 2023 | 31 October 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 100.00 | |
| Alex Bruce |  Northern Ireland |
1 November 2023 | 21 February 2024 | 22 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 57 | 30 | 68.18 | |
| Michael Clegg | England |
22 February 2024 | 17 June 2024 | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 31 | 15 | 68.75 | |
| Robbie Savage | Wales |
17 June 2024 | 1 July 2025 | 51 | 40 | 6 | 5 | 138 | 41 | 78.43 | 1 NPL Premier Division |
| John Rooney | England |
1 July 2025 | 42 | 24 | 7 | 11 | 82 | 60 | 57.14 |
Seasons
As of 30 April 2025[66]
| Season | League | FA Cup | Other competitions | Top scorer | Average league attendance | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Pos | Name | Goals (LG) | |||||
| 2021–22 | NWCFL Premier Division (9) ↑ | 40 | 29 | 7 | 4 | 94 | 38 | 94 | 1st | PR | FA Vase | QR1 | Tom Clare
| 23 (21) | 3,390 |
| NWCFL Cup | QF | ||||||||||||||
| Cheshire Cup | R2 | ||||||||||||||
| 2022–23 | NPL Division One West (8) ↑ | 38 | 28 | 6 | 4 | 95 | 27 | 90 | 1st | QR2 | FA Trophy | R1 | James Berry
| 33 (24) | 3,644[67] |
| Cheshire Cup | QF | ||||||||||||||
| 2023–24 | NPL Premier Division (7) | 40 | 24 | 5 | 11 | 84 | 47 | 77 | 2nd | QR4 | FA Trophy | SF | Alex Curran
| 23 (16) | 3,302[68] |
| Cheshire Cup | QF | ||||||||||||||
| NPL play-offs | RU | ||||||||||||||
| 2024–25 | NPL Premier Division (7) ↑ | 42 | 35 | 4 | 3 | 109 | 30 | 109 | 1st | QR4 | FA Trophy | R3 | Danny Elliott
| 41 (35) | 3,150 |
| Cheshire Cup | R2 | ||||||||||||||
Club records
- As of 17 February 2026[66]
Attendance
- Highest home attendance (Top 3):
- 5,348 v Crystal Palace, 10 January 2026 – FA Cup Third Round
- 5,348 v Brentford, 16 February 2026 – FA Cup Fourth Round
- 5,329 v Marine, 6 May 2024 – NPL Premier Division Play-off Final
- Lowest home attendance:
- 241 v Stalybridge Celtic, 5 November 2024 – Cheshire Senior Cup second round
- Highest away attendance:
- 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:
- 2–5 v Crewe Alexandra, 30 January 2024 – Cheshire Senior Cup quarter-final
- Biggest away win:
- 0–6 v Vauxhall Motors, 22 February 2022 – NWCFL Premier Division
- Heaviest away defeat:
- 5–1 v AFC Fylde , 25 November 2025 – National League North
- 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
Player records
- Most appearances (All comps):[69]
- 186 –
Laurent Mendy, 31 July 2021 – 26 April 2025
- 186 –
- Goals scored (All comps):[70]
- 57 –
Danny Elliott, 10 August 2024 – Present
- 57 –
- Goals in a season (All comps):
- 41 – Danny Elliott, 2024–25
- 41 –
- Goals in a season (League):
- Goals scored in a match:
- 4 – Tom Clare v Winsford United (A), 3 August 2021 – NWCFL Premier Division
- 4 – James Berry v Avro (H), 19 March 2022 – NWCFL Premier Division
- 4 – Kane Drummond v Atherton Collieries (H), 21 November 2023 – NPL Premier Division
- 4 –
Cup performances
- Best FA Cup performance:
- Fourth round, 2025–26
- Best FA Trophy performance:
- Semi-finals, 2023–24
- Best FA Vase performance:
- First qualifying round, 2021–22
- Best Cheshire Senior Cup performance:
- Quarter-finals, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2025–26
Honours
League
- NPL Premier Division (level 7)
- NPL Division One West (level 8)
- NWCFL Premier Division (level 9)
Notable players
Macclesfield F.C. players who have attained at least one international cap during their career.
Alex Bruce
Neil Danns
Justin Griffith
Ali Hayder
Oumar Niasse
See also
Notes
- Win% is rounded to two decimal places
