Connect with us

Non League

Macclesfield reflect on their transformation and journey in recent years since losing their club

Ahead of the FA Cup Third Round tie, Macclesfield reflect on their transformation and journey in recent years since losing their club.

The National League North side face FA Cup holders Crystal Palace in the third round in front of a bumper crowd, and the much anticipated fixture, a dream occasion, puts them back on the map.

Macclesfield FC have had a remarkable transformation since the original Macclesfield Town was liquidated and lost in 2020.

They share the powerful story of the rebirth, when businessman Rob Smethurst purchased the club’s assets, re-formed it as Macclesfield FC, and brought in Robbie Savage (as Director of Football, who later became manager) to rebuild from the ninth tier of English football.

They have gone on to achieve three promotions in four years, preserved the club’s history, their Moss Rose ground and the loyal fanbase.

UPDATE: They only went and beat Crystal Palace didn’t they…!

6th tier Macclesfield produce biggest ever FA Cup upset knocking out holders Crystal Palace

Transcribed with the help of TurboScribe!

Interviewer Jules: This remarkable story of how this club has transformed itself over the last six years, because if there’s one man that knows everything about this football club, it’s Bob Trafford, who has grown up as a Macclesfield fan, but also, Bob, you are now the head of sponsorships here, so just tell us, for anyone that doesn’t know that’s watching, what has this club been through for the last few years?

Bob: I think it’s so hard to put into words, because a lot of football clubs have financial problems, but how many actually go out of sponsorships? How many football fans out there can say they lost their football club? And we did. And obviously, Rob Smethurst and Robbie Savage took over in 2020, and we’re indebted to them. They not only saved our football club, but they preserved all the memories that the old Macclesfield Town had created, and you can hear the noise behind the goal now. It’s just, you don’t know what you’ve lost until you lose something, and we know more than anyone what that feels like.

Joleon Lescott: Yeah, you’re most credited for working with Sam, to be honest. He must be a lot easier to manage now, but how important was he to the rebuild?

Bob: Robbie was fundamental, you know, without Robbie Savage, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I actually messaged him this morning to say, you know, you did more than anyone to make today happen, and I know that he’s gone to Forest Green now, but it’s true, you know, we had three promotions in four years with Robbie, either as director of football or as manager, and he’s got to take a massive amount of credit for where we are today, but so is Rob Smethurst, so do those amazing fans there who’ve stuck with us. When they bought into this project, let’s be honest, they didn’t know what they were buying into, because it was different from Macclesfield Town, but I think as time’s gone on, we’ve all recognised that this is Macclesfield Town Mark II. The memories are the same, the ground’s the same, the players might be different, we might be in different leagues, but you can’t take that loyalty and that what’s in you away, and that’s why the legacy will continue.

Interviewer Jules: So what’s it like here today then? FA Cup third round, this must be what dreams are made of, and you’ve not just got any Premier League side here, but you’ve got the FA Cup holders coming as well, Bob, just what does this mean for this football club and all the fans like yourself?

Bob: It means everything, because it’s not about the game, it’s about the statement, so reaching the FA Cup third round, playing the holders, it’s almost putting Macclesfield back on the map at a national level, and if you look around the ground today, you’ll see people from 5 to 85 years old, and it’s about the legacy. I first came here as a 5-year-old, the other week I brought my niece Katie, who’s a 6-year-old, it’s a little bit too cold for her today, but if you look around this ground, everyone’s got a story, and what Macclesfield FC, Rob, Robbie, and everyone has done is preserve that story, and we can never be, you know, thankful enough for that.

Interviewer Olivia Buzaglo: I am in the manager’s office with Macclesfield boss John Rooney. John, thank you so much for doing this. What an occasion. This couldn’t be any more third round of the FA Cup if we tried. Could you just talk to me about the whole occasion for your team today?

Macclesfield manager John Rooney: Yeah, it’s been, you know, this week has been an incredible week, obviously. It’s been a little bit different for the club and having all the media around and stuff that we’re probably not really used to. But it’s been a great weekend. The occasion today is something we’ve been speaking about, you know, I think since the club has reformed, we haven’t really given them that FA Cup run, which they probably deserve. And as we’ll speak about later on, you know, when I was here as a player as well, you know, I remember them days like it was yesterday. And I’m just really pleased to give the fans something back today.

Interviewer Olivia: I mean, yeah, talking about the fans, what an incredible day for them, not just to be playing against a Premier League club, but the current holders of the FA Cup in Crystal Palace.

John: Yeah, do you know what, to be honest, when the draw did come out, it didn’t click right away that day, it was the current holders that took a little bit of time. And it was someone else who actually managed it for me. But, you know, what a draw for us to get the current holders at home. You know, the fans, I’m sure they’ll enjoy themselves today.

Interviewer Olivia: Yeah, absolutely. You mentioned, obviously, your playing days. And if I said to you, third round of the FA Cup 2009, playing against a certain Joleon Lescott, would you remember that?

John: Yeah, it was against my boyhood club as well, Everton. So it was a day I’ll always remember, I think. I didn’t get much time on the pitch, I didn’t come on the last 10 minutes or so, but, you know, I was a young lad then, I think I was 17, 18. And I think we lost the game 1-0, if I remember rightly. I think it was 1-0, Leon Osman goal. But I think that’s what the FA Cup’s about in their days, you remember. Teams lower down the pyramid, like ourselves, coming up against the Premier League side, there’s certain dreams are made out of.

Interviewer Olivia: Yeah, absolutely. And John, I have to ask you just finally, obviously, it’s the first FA Cup game since the tragic passing of Ethan McLeod and devastating for everyone involved. Please just talk to me about how it’s affected Macclesfield as a club.

John: Me and the players, it ripped us apart, honestly, it did. It was a really tough couple of days, and still is now. It just still doesn’t feel real. And, you know, I’ve spoke about him many times now since the tragic day, but, you know, he was an absolute diamond of a kid. He’d come in every day with that smile on his face and he was a massive part of the dressing room with a huge talent as well. So it was just tragic news and we’re not over then. I’m sure he’ll be here with us today.

Interviewer Olivia: I’m sure he’ll be watching down on you. Thank you so much, John.

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Non League