Macclesfield Town are back with a new name

Macclesfield Town are back with a new name, just weeks after they announced they were served a winding up order back in September 2020.

It was just a few weeks ago Judge Sebastian Prentis made a winding up order at a virtual hearing in the specialist Insolvency and Companies Court.

He was told that the Silkmen owe nearly £190,000 in tax and more than £170,000 to two other creditors.

Lawyers representing HM Revenue and Customs had applied for a winding up order.

The judge said he could see nothing which gave him “any comfort” that the club can pay the debts.

He was overseeing the latest in a series of hearings.

Macclesfield were recently relegated from the fourth tier of league football into non league football.

They were relegated after being docked points for breaches of regulations relating to non-payment of wages which dropped them to the bottom of the League Two table.

13 days after being wound up by the High Court, Macclesfield Town were then expelled from the National League.

Since then, news came out that former footballer turned pundit Robbie Savage now wants to set up a phoenix club for them.

The Times revealed that the ex-Crewe, Leicester, Blackburn, Birmingham, Brighton and Derby player he is believed to be among a group of businessmen planning to form a new club at Moss Rose.

He came out of retirement to play for Stockport Town last year, a club who is owned by his associate Rob Smethurst, he’s is expected to complete the purchase of Macclesfield’s former home Moss Rose.

Matt Slater of the Athletic said last week: “Local businessman Rob Smethurst has bought Macclesfield Town’s assets out of liquidation & set up Macc Football Club Ltd. Smethurst also owns Pro Football Academy, a private youth acad with 40+ sites across England, & NWCL side Stockport Town. Phoenix club could join North West Counties League in 2021.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, Robbie Savage has released a statement regarding the club’s future, and a press conference is due to take place from Moss Rose at 4pm.

Local businessman Robert Smethurst has acquired the assets of Macclesfield Town. The Club will maintain the historic brand and logo under the new name of Macclesfield FC. Danny Whitaker will become first team manager.

They also hope to be playing in the North West Counties League next season.

STATEMENT:

Fans reacted as Robbie Savage and co. issues a statement on the future of Macclesfield Town…

YESSSS! ? @dan_whits10 ?

— Sarah Jane Wade (@SJWadey) October 13, 2020

Absolutely made up for Macc fans!#silks

— Ant Evans (@AntEvans88) October 13, 2020

Fantastic news. Oh Maccy Maccy Maccy Maccy Macclesfield

— Julian Jones (@MaccswellHouse) October 13, 2020

Chaddy vs Macclesfield next season? Would love a bit of that. https://t.co/V8P2gm0nr0

— Gilly (@GillyClarkeMCFC) October 13, 2020

Fuck sake, thought it was you leaving 606 when you said “Great news” pic.twitter.com/B91nBBuvne

— Scott (@Scott_TheReds) October 13, 2020

Good work Robbie getting involved in this. A former player who cares at least. All the best to Macclesfield Town for the future. I fear there will be more clubs in need like this in the months ahead.

— Josh Bosh (@thesocialdisser) October 13, 2020

Good luck. Glad to see a club rescued. ??

— Ben Dixon (@bendixon100) October 13, 2020

These guys already own Stockport Town in the NWCFL. Wonder how that will pan out?

— Rob York (@wanderer_bay) October 13, 2020

Simply – Thank you ?

— Robert Barnard (@rbarnard68) October 13, 2020

This is amazing news! We couldn’t be happier for Macclesfield FC fans! ?❤️

— Bury AFC (@OfficialBuryAFC) October 13, 2020

Realise there is a lot of pain involved in these situations but I wonder if it is better Bury + Macclesfield went under and get picked up by people who genuinely care about club/community than fall into the hands of another owner who doesn’t.

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) October 13, 2020

Brilliant news for Macclesfield fans! Hopefully the start of a bright future ?? #MTFC

— Daniel Moriarty (@mozzerjnr) October 13, 2020