Witton Albion cause a stir by sacking ex-Premier League and EFL player after poor pre-season

Witton Albion cause a stir with fans by sacking ex-Premier League and EFL player Jon Macken and his assistant after a poor pre-season.

They made the announcement on the 30th of July, ending Macken and his Assistant Manager Steve Atkinson’s two year stay in charge.

It’s fair to say it got a fair bit attention on social media, many unhappy with the decision, hitting out at the timing with the season getting underway on the 10th of August. Witton quickly appointed Ben Harrison as caretaker manager.

The club finished 6th, a place outside the playoffs, for the 2023/24 and 2022/23 Northern Premier League – West Division seasons.

Pre-season results:

Witton 1-2 Radcliffe
Barnton 4-0 Witton
Witton 11-0 Winsford Town
Stockport Town 2-0 Witton
Witton 0-5 Lancaster
Witton Albion 1-6 1874 Northwich (after Macken’s sacking)

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT
Witton Albion Football Club have parted company with Manager Jon Macken and Assistant Manager Steve Atkinson after 2 years at the U Lock It Stadium. The club would like to thank them for their efforts over the last 2 years and wishes them well in the future.

— Witton Albion Football Club (@WittonAlbion) July 30, 2024

The club initially said in a statement: “Manager and assistant leave after 2 years at the U LOCK IT stadium

“Witton Albion Football Club have parted company with Manager Jon Macken and Assistant Manager Steve Atkinson after two years at the U Lock It Stadium. The club would like to thank them for their efforts over the last two years and wishes them well in the future.

“A further statement will follow in due course.”

They added: “Witton Albion Football Club are pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Harrison as caretaker manager for the club following the departure of Jon Macken and Steve Atkinson earlier in the week.

Club Chairman, Graham Wood said: ”We are delighted that Ben, who has made over 300 appearances for the club, has accepted this role. He will be ably supported by Paul Houghton, Michael Alcock and Jim Lawrie who will be known to all Witton fans.”

Ben said: “This is a great opportunity for me as a local lad with a long history with the club both as a player and as a fan. I am really looking forward to the challenge of preparing the squad for the start of the season next weekend against City of Liverpool.

“TI would encourage all Witton fans to come along and cheer the boys on. Up the Albion.”

Wood spoke to the Non League Paper, saying: “We felt it was time for a change. The squad wasn’t coming together, and performances have been poor.”

You can read more HERE.

Player Joe Duckworth commented on Facebook: “Was not going to comment as a current player, but not only is Jon a great manager in my opinion but to me he is a great friend, helped me massively.

“He has transformed the club on and off the pitch from the youth ranks all the way through to the first team, something that is easy to recommend but very difficult to do!

“Witton Albion has changed massively since his appointment 2 years ago, a lot of that is down to his dedication to create a community club and friendly atmosphere which I would like to say we definitely have as well as a first team that competes at the top end of the table and plays an attractive style of football.

“He will not be short of offers, can leave his head held high of his work at the club. Best of luck mate ⚽️👍🏻”

MACKEN’S CAREER

*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Youth career
1995–1996 – Manchester United

Senior career*
1996–1997 – Manchester United
1997–2002 – Preston North End – 189 games (63 goals)
2002–2005 – Manchester City – 51 games (7 goals)
2005–2007 – Crystal Palace – 25 games (2 goals)
2006–2007 → Ipswich Town (loan) -14 games (3 goals)
2007–2008 – Derby County – 11 games (0 goals)
2007 → Barnsley (loan) – 11 games (3 goals)
2008–2010 – Barnsley – 94 games (18 goals)
2010–2012 – Walsall – 76 games (21 goals)
2012–2013 – Northwich Victoria – 7 games (2 goals)
2013 – Stockport County – 13 games (1 goal)
2015 – Bamber Bridge – 1 game (0 goals)
Total – 491 games (120 goals)

International career
1997 – England U20 – 1 game (0 goals)
2004 – Republic of Ireland – 1 game (0 goals)

Managerial career
2017–2020 – Radcliffe Borough
2021–2022 – Colne
2022–2024 – Witton Albion

Honours

Preston North End
Football League Second Division: 1999–2000

Derby County
Football League Championship play-offs: 2007

Awards
Football League Second Division Team of the Year: 1999–2000
Preston North End Players’ Player of the Year: 1999–2000, 2000–01
Preston North End Young Player of the Year: 1999–2000
Preston North End Player of the Year: 2000–01

Witton Albion cause a stir with their fans by sacking ex-Premier League and EFL player Jon Macken after a poor pre-season…

@roberma29: Disappointed by this tbh, he won a trophy last season and only just missed out on promotion, he was a genuinely nice bloke that always had time to speak to you in the bar afterwards and helped with the younger lads as well… good luck 👍

@CallumBradke: Ridiculous decision but as a fan thanks for the memories Jon and his staff, top people who provided some of the best football you’ll see at step 4. Also his work in the community going into schools was phenomenal. As a fan, many thanks Jon

@paton_rick: Worst decision they could have made, got them to top 6 last two seasons on a shoestring budget! Dreadful budget again this season and kept some of the better players around. Fans saying recruitment is poor, be realistic as players going elsewhere for more money!

@andrewchesworth: Timing isn’t great and I thanks Jon and Steve for giving it a good go. I do think a change is needed though. ⚽️🔴⚪️

@JP__1992: Thought he did a largely average (if ok) job, so it’s an understandable decision. The first half of both his seasons were poor – the lack of quality recruitment this summer suggests this one would’ve probably been similar. However, the timing is absolutely atrocious!

@DrewHaspell: The timing of this couldn’t be any worse! Good luck finding a suitable candidate 11 days before the start of the season. Plus a number of player departures I’d expect.

@BackIndeed: Terrible decision

@fogertyp68: Thanks Jon and Steve done a great job in difficult circumstances built a team from scratch and came so close on two occasions, be careful what you wish for because I can’t see any positive in this decision.

@GLazenbury: The board needs to give their heads a wobble… clueless!!

@MikeCookson1: And the award for most poorly timed managerial sacking goes to….

@benspencer2: Great timing by the club in turmoil

@JackB1805: God knows how we’ll fare this season, expectations are incredibly low. Thanks to Jon and Steve for their efforts and we will see where we are in the football pyramid come April…

@DaveJoe27: 11 days before the season starts 🤦‍♂️

@OldMancunium: Week or so till start of season, a bit of a strange one. #wittonalbion

@altyapple: Bizarre timing

@samainsworth1: Didn’t see that one coming 🤯

@tomruse7: Shocking decision that, how’s it come to this after the second half of last season?

Tommy Lee Stringer: Weve not had a manager in years whos played as positive football as Jon did! Awful decision and shocking timing!

Karl Brooks: There was a very strange atmosphere around the club this evening, it’s not been an easy day all around and i don’t envy the board who make these difficult decisions! Jon has been a breath of fresh air for the club. He has supported me with the matchday interviews, photos and more recently the podcast which I have personally thanked him for. As we all know in the football world things change so quickly. What the club needs now is everyone to support the decisions made and get behind the lads on August 10th and beyond! 🔴⚪⚽ UTA

Paul Taylor: What is going on at the club??

Iain Wright: Two of the nicest people in football. Both been absolutely great to me.

Mike Green: Jon’s been brilliant and done a lot for football in the Northwich community. Taking time to go into local schools to coach the kids and helping with coaching for local grassroots teams at all ages. As well as getting Witton playing some good football. Good luck Jon ⚽️

Scott Burstow:
Jon was brilliant – a top man.
Wish him well with whatever’s next.

Philip Flavell: I was sad to hear this news as I was hoping that jon and Steve would be there long term.all of the very best for the future.

https://t.co/5qnhnAQDXf pic.twitter.com/VFzOL74GFv

— Jack Walsh (@LinnetsTVJack) July 30, 2024