Rob Smethurst speaks out as Macclesfield confirm he will remain on the board of directors

Rob Smethurst speaks out as Macclesfield confirm that he will remain on the board of directors, after being temporarily suspended.

On Saturday at 2:37pm, the club released a statement, which read: “Macclesfield FC are aware of reports circulating regarding the position of Robert Smethurst within the Football Club.

“In light of these, the Board of Directors can confirm that Mr Smethurst has temporarily been relieved of all duties associated with the Football Club whilst legal guidance is sought.

“With this in mind, it would be improper to divulge any further information at this time.

“Whereas we can completely and unequivocally understand that these reports will be unsettling, the Board of Directors would like to assure everyone of their belief that they are wholeheartedly acting within the best interests of the Football Club and in a bid to safeguard its continued success.

“We would politely ask everyone not to engage in speculation at this time, and further comment will be made as soon as we are able to.”

On Saturday, at 4:47pm, he went live on Facebook with an update, which you can watch below…

Rob Smethurst wrote in a post on Facebook two days on Monday: “Ama and Dan invested, Darren invested and Brigg and bought shares to the sum of around 3 million. This was never taken out of the club this was to buy shares and pay directly to me and Sarah Jayne.

“I had a 1m directors loan in which £700,000 was taken back out in the form of a loan which was to bring back in line what other shareholders had got in based on share capital. Directors signed off the £700,000 loan.

“ALL share holders financially support the club.

“Brigg owns 8% and 2% from Sav which have been paid for but due to his divorce he has not wanted to receive them until now.

“There are rumours circulating including – embezzlement, fraud, drug taking and bullying. Non of which are true. This is a complete witch hunt.

“I was arrested for alleged coercive behaviour – not allowing her to leave house, not allowing her to see family, make her take a speed awareness course and controlling bank account and personal insults. I was released without charge and police will follow up on their investigation. This was completely separate from club matters.

“Recently £150,000 from the Crystal Palace money has been sent back to IFG and Ama and Dan have taken the whole amount out.

“Moving forwards everything will be going through solicitors.

“Please share as I will not be destroyed by gossip.”

CLUB UPDATE

The Board of Directors would like to issue the following update, further to the statement issued on 6th June.

🔗 https://t.co/rWxk5onE8P pic.twitter.com/F0a7wEVYRr

— Macclesfield FC (@thesilkmen) June 10, 2026

Macclesfield said in a statement on Wednesday evening: “Macclesfield FC can confirm that Robert Smethurst will remain on the Board of Directors and continue to support the Football Club’s ongoing development.

“The last few weeks have been a difficult period for everyone connected to Macclesfield FC, and there has understandably been significant concern amongst supporters.

“Following constructive discussions between the parties, a number of issues have been addressed and an agreed way forward has been reached which the Board believes is in the best interests of the Football Club.

“Robert has acknowledged that some of his recent comments and actions have given rise to understandable concern amongst supporters. That recognition has formed an important part of the discussions which have taken place.

“The Board also notes that a number of completely unfounded claims regarding the private lives of Board members have circulated online during this period. We would like to make it absolutely clear that there is no basis whatsoever for these allegations and would urge supporters not to engage with or perpetuate them.

“Throughout this period, the Board’s priority has remained the protection and long-term success of the Football Club.

“Robert has played a major role in helping rebuild football in Macclesfield and in establishing the foundations that exist today.

“Ama first became involved with the Football Club to support a project he believed in. Few could have anticipated the position the Club would find itself in over recent years, but his financial commitment and continued backing have been instrumental in helping secure the Club’s future and support its ongoing growth.

“Most importantly, the Board is united in its vision for the future and fully focused on supporting our management team, players, staff, volunteers and supporters as we continue building on the progress made both on and off the pitch.

“We also appreciate the patience shown by our supporters throughout this period.

“With these matters now addressed, our focus is firmly on the future and on ensuring that Macclesfield FC continues to move forward as a Club that the whole community can be proud of.”

Rob said in a Facebook live that night: “I know the statement’s just gone out on Macclesfield, which is amazing.

“First of all, I just wanna just say I’ve never ever in all my life experienced m such love and um compassion from absolutely so many people and the support that I’ve had over the last few days since I disappeared and lost my mind in Mallorca, which was probably not the best thing that I should have done, looking back at it. But that is me.

“As you know, I do struggle in life sometimes and when things get on top of me, I do lose my way. And I know I did that Facebook Live, but I just want to say.

“Firstly, the support that I have had from Macclesfield, Macclesfield fans, you know, has been something that I cannot tell you how much it has meant to me and the support that it has given me. I can’t thank you enough. Some of the messages have been of support, have touched me so much. I’ve been literally overwhelmed. I’ve had thousands and thousands of messages and the support of you guys that have backed me has been absolutely incredible.

“And you know what, your backing has put me back in this position and I am back at the football club. You have pushed hard for it. Think the board have seen how much I have meant to the football club and you know, every single one of you has literally honestly made this happen and I cannot thank you enough.

“You know, the sponsors, there was a lot of things happened at the football club, sponsors pulling out, staff walking out, the team had decided not to carry on playing. The real support that I’ve had has been absolutely just honestly off the charts. And I just can’t say how amazing you’ve all been, but I am back.

“I went and met with the board yesterday. We had a really sort of long conversation for a few hours and we kind of discussed lots of things. And I would just want to just say that the board were fantastic. We spoke a lot about the future of how we want to take this football club forward, you know, that was kind of our main mission that, you know, my personal life has come into this a lot and it shouldn’t have done.

“And, you know, it wasn’t appropriate that that happened, but you have all literally, honestly, have got me back into my position. I do want to thank Ama, you know, maybe I said a few things that I shouldn’t have said, you know, because I was really upset. Maybe I wasn’t so professional that I should have been. That guy has helped us absolutely massively at the football club and he has been a huge investor into the football club to make it happen.

“We’ve got Dan who has been very, very professional and again, somebody that I respect highly. And then we’ve got all the staff that we’ve clearly been really struggling with what has been going on. And, you know, I also want to reach out to them and just say what, you know, how amazing they’ve been to me and everything else.

“But as you can guess, you know, I want to keep this quite short and sweet for obvious reasons. But I just want to just honestly thank you from the bottom of my heart that you have made this happen. There’s no question about it. You brought me back into that football club.

“You know, I won’t be going back as probably chairman, I’ll be honest. I think we want to run things slightly different.

“They want me to, you know, be more of sort of a, you know, as part of a board that we make the decisions together, which I have absolutely no problem in doing whatsoever. You know, I know I’m saying ‘erm’ a lot, by the way, but, you know, I am just so humbled by you as fans because, you the other day when I was in Majorca and I was probably at the lowest point of my life and, you know, things weren’t going the way I wanted it to go.

“As you know, I did relapse and, you know, I was sat there on my own feeling so alone and then the messages started to come in and it broke my heart because, you know, I realised what I’ve got. I’ve realised the people that support me and genuinely just felt something that I’ve never felt before. It made me realise how important you all are to me and how important the club is and how it originally saved my life. A

“All I can say now is I am back, I feel stronger than ever. I’m going to go back to meetings. I need that in my life. I’m not afraid to say that and I’m not embarrassed about it either because no one is perfect. We all have issues. I’ve got one that I’ve got to deal with, but that club keeps me sober, it keeps me positive. And I want you all to be proud of me and I want you all to, we all move forward together now.

“And I know this has kind of been a bit of one of those typical moments in Macclesfields… We always have this crazy thing at Macclesfield, don’t we? It’s never an easy ride. Probably never an easy ride because I’ve been running it. It’s been a bit crazy, but I suppose that’s because I’m a Macc lad. We aren’t perfect in any shape or form, but look, I try my best and look, it’s onwards and upwards, I’m back, I want to build an unbelievable team. We want to go for it. The board want to smash it this year. We’ve got six players that we want to bring into the football club. We’re in talk with some really good players. The academy, you know, is growing. We’re doing some huge changes to the academy. John Bull’s doing an amazing job, you know, in that area. And, you know, again, it’s, I’m back and you can see, you know, I’m so excited. I honestly thought I was never coming back. I was lost, but you you guys have made this unbelievable. And, you know.

“I just want to say it one more time, without you as Macclesfield fans supporting me and making this possible, you’ve made everybody listen and you got me back in a position and you know, for me it was really a case of wanting to clear my name because I hadn’t done anything wrong at all.

“Look, we move on together now and we move on as a board and all I can say is that, you know, without you, I wouldn’t have got back to where I was.

“So I’m gonna leave it there now and because, don’t wanna say something I shouldn’t do or say the wrong things, but I love you all and I cannot thank you enough. I’m one of the happiest mans ever tonight. I can go to bed, I can relax and like you said, it’s amazing. So thank you so much guys and I appreciate everything and I love you all. Thank you so much and good night, cheers.”