Our visitors Macclesfield

opposition history macclesfield fc

Macclesfield Football Club is a successor to Macclesfield Town FC which was founded back in 1874.

Macclesfield Town was liquidated and expelled from the National League in 2020 because of debts of over £500,000. Its assets were put up for sale - including the Moss Rose Stadium on the Rightmove property website.

In October 2020, the Stadium and all remaining assets were purchased by Robert Smethurst with the aim of returning professional football to Macclesfield by creating the phoenix Club, Macclesfield FC.

Smethurst appointed the Welsh former professional footballer Robbie Savage as Director of Football, with Silkmen legend Danny Whitaker ascending to the role of First Team Manager.

In addition to this, Smethurst also invested heavily in upgrading the Stadium to improve the commercial viability of the new Club. At the time of writing, the investment stands at over £4 million.

In May 2021, it was announced that Macclesfield FC would be placed in the NWCFL Premier Division for their inaugural season.

Robbie Savage also announced that the Club would be partnering with his Foundation in order to offer free tickets to all its participants in a bid to encourage youth attendance.

On 31 July 2021 Macclesfield FC played their first competitive match - a 1–0 home win against Burscough in the NWCFL Premier Division which was witnessed by 2,018 people.

Leon Arnasalam wrote his name into the history books that day, as he became Macclesfield FC’s first-ever goal scorer.

The Club’s first away match was on 3 August 2021. In what proved to be an encapsulating affair, four Tom Clare goals saw The Silkmen claim a share of the spoils in a 4 – 4 draw at Winsford United.

On 7 August 2021 Macclesfield FC played their first Emirates FA Cup match, beating Burscough 4–0 in the Extra Preliminary Round, but were then eliminated from the competition in the Preliminary Round losing 6 – 4 at Squires Gate.

On 11 September 2021, Macclesfield FC played in the Buildbase FA Vase for the first time - losing 3 – 2 at Northern Counties East League Premier Division side Winterton Rangers in the First Qualifying Round.

The Club was featured in a two-part BBC Sport documentary, entitled “Robbie Savage: Making Macclesfield” which was first broadcast on 13 November 2021 and has enjoyed over three million views to date.

In March 2022, Macclesfield FC became the first Club within the top nine tiers of English football to secure promotion.

An emphatic 4 - 0 victory against Ashton Athletic on 12 March clinched the title -

with Danny Whitaker’s side ultimately finishing fifteen points clear of second-placed Skelmersdale United.

In addition to this, many of the Club’s other teams have already enjoyed a vast amount of success during their debut season - with the Women’s First Team lifting the Cheshire Women’s & Youth Football League – Championship East title and the Under-16s side claiming a unique quadruple.

opposition lineup macclesfield fc

Marcelo Pitaluga Goalkeeper

Macclesfield FC were thrilled to announce the signing of highly-rated Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga back on 1st July 2022, as he arrived at the Club on a season-long loan from Liverpool.

A Brazilian youth international, Marcelo embarked on his career at Fluminense where his stunning rise through the ranks saw him advance into the Reserve Team at the tender age of 16.

Marcelo quickly began to attract the attention of the world’s most illustrious clubs and after being part of the Brazil squad that claimed the FIFA Under-17 World Cup on home soil, this was magnified even further.

After Liverpool Goalkeeping Coach John Achterburg became mesmerised by Marcelo’s standout performances and undeniable ability, the Brazilian made the move to Anfield in October 2020 for an initial fee of £1m.

This could well rise significantly in the future depending on Marcelo’s progression – yet training alongside the likes of Adrian, Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher on a daily basis will unquestionably push the 19-year-old towards fulfilling his breath-taking potential.

Marcelo has already made a mark at Anfield, becoming a regular in their Under-23s side and was named on the First Team bench four times during the 2021/22 campaign.

Previous Clubs:

Fluminense, Liverpool.

Nathan Pennington Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Nathan Pennington agreed terms with the Club ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The 24-year-old represented Atherton Collieries at youth level, before signing for Tempest United in 2015.

Nathan spent the last seven years with the West Lancashire Premier Division side, before dual-registering with The Silkmen in May 2022.

Appearing as part of our Macron Cup Quarter-Final against Skelmersdale United, Nathan was one of the standout performers – making a string of fine saves.

In order to give him First Team game time, Nathan has dual-registered with NWCFL Premier Division side Squires Gate ahead of the new season.

Previous Clubs:

Atherton Collieries, Tempest United.

Brandon Lee Defender

Brandon signed for The Silkmen on a two-year contract in September 2021 from fellow North West Counties Premier Division side Longridge Town.

He is a reliable defender, who also likes to support the team in an offensive manner. Brandon is calm on the ball and consistent in his performances. Starting his career at Blackburn Rovers, Brandon then progressed through the youth ranks at Bolton Wanderers before enjoying First Team football at Chorley. Brandon then moved to Longridge Town back in 2019 and became an integral part of their side.

Brandon enjoyed a sensational debut season at the Leasing.com Stadium – making twenty-three appearances in our promotion-winning campaign and earning himself a new twoyear contract that will span until the summer of 2024.

Previous Clubs:

Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Chorley, Longridge Town.

Dan Cowan Defender

Dan began his career by representing Buxton and New Mills at junior levels, before progressing into the Centre of Excellence at Macclesfield Town.

Dan’s career took off at the Moss Rose, as he ascended through the ranks right the way up to First Team level.

Making his senior debut during a Cheshire Senior Cup tie at Stalybridge Celtic back in February 2013, Dan made sixty appearances for The Silkmen before signing for Stockport County in the summer of 2017.

The reliable defender would spend three years at Edgeley Park before making the move to Nethermoor in order to join Guiseley.

Spells at Curzon Ashton and Chester followed before Dan signed for Buxton in January 2022.

Helping The Bucks become Northern Premier League champions, Dan then departed Silverlands, and we were delighted when he chose to sign for The Silkmen back in July 2022.

Previous Clubs:

Buxton, New Mills, Macclesfield Town, Stockport County, Guiseley, Curzon Ashton, Chester

Jacob Hanson Defender

Right-back Jacob arrived at the Club initially on a dual registration with FC United of Manchester in August 2021.

Beginning his career at Huddersfield Town, Jacob progressed through the Academy system and went on to make the move to Bradford City.

Initially employed as a striker, it was at Valley Parade that he transferred into the defence – largely due to his rapid pace. Jacob then moved across Yorkshire to join FC Halifax Town – initially on loan.

After cementing a regular place in The Shaymen’s starting eleven, Jacob would then make the move permanent before signing for Curzon Ashton and then FC United of Manchester also in August 2021.

“Jabba” became a fans favourite during the 2021/22 campaign – making thirtyone appearances for Danny Whitaker’s side and signed a one-year contract extension the following summer.

Previous Clubs:

Huddersfield Town, Bradford City, FC Halifax Town, Curzon Ashton, FC United of Manchester.

Joe Bunney Defender

Joe began his career at Lancaster City, before moving to Kendal Town back in 2012.

A move to Stockport County then followed before Joe went on to make twenty-six appearances for Northwich Victoria.

Joe attracted a vast array of Football League scouts during his time with The Vics and would ultimately sign for Rochdale in 2013.

Making his professional debut on the final day of the 2012/13 campaign, Bunney went on to make 122 appearances for the Lancashire side over a five year period.

Joe would leave Spotland to sign for Northampton Town in January 2018

and he was to make 16 appearances for The Cobblers in addition to loan spells at Blackpool and Rochdale respectively.

In September 2019. Joe signed for Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer – yet his game time was limited at the University of Bolton Stadium due to suffering a broken collarbone and ribs in a car accident.

After regaining his fitness, Joe enjoyed spells at Matlock Town, Hartlepool United, Grimsby Town and Altrincham, before spending last season at Warrington Rylands where he scored five goals in seven appearances.

Joe has spent the summer of 2022 at Scunthorpe United, before signing for The Silkmen ahead of the 2022/23 league campaign.

Previous Clubs:

Lancaster City, Kendal Town, Stockport County, Northwich Victoria, Rochdale, Northampton Town, Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers, Matlock Town, Hartlepool United, Grimsby Town, Altrincham, Warrington Rylands.

Lewis Fensome Defender

Lewis arrived at the Leasing.com Stadium in January 2022 and has been a phenomenal addition to our squad.

Possessing a devastating turn of pace and an abundance of strength, Lewis really is a leader on the field.

Beginning his career at Preston North End, Lewis then moved across Lancashire to join Lancaster City in 2018 and would go on to make just under a century of appearances for The Blues.

Lewis then signed for Danny Whitaker’s side and impressed in each of his seventeen appearances during the most evocative of campaigns.

In the summer of 2022, Lewis signed a new two-year contract which keeps Previous Clubs:

Preston North End, Lancaster City.

Will Bell Defender

Will agreed terms ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, following a successful trial spell at the Leasing.com Stadium.

He progressed through the youth ranks at Morecambe, before moving over the Welsh border to join Bala in August 2014. After enjoying the 2014/15 campaign at Maes Tegid, Will then signed a permanent deal at Bala before signing for Aberystwyth in the summer of 2016.

A return to Bala ensued – together with spells at Rhyl and Colwyn Bay before Will returned to England in order to sign for Bootle ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

Will made 39 appearances for The Bucks last term, as he proved to be a solid and reliable centre-half for the Merseyside outfit.

Previous Clubs:

Morecambe, Bala, Aberystwyth, Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Bootle.

Zeki Fryers Defender

We were thrilled to unveil former Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and England youth international defender Zeki Fryers as our first summer signing back in May 2022.

The 29-year-old arrived at the Leasing. com Stadium after agreeing terms ahead of the 2022/23 campaign and brings a wealth of experience with him.

Progressing through the youth ranks at Manchester United, Zeki forged his way into the First Team at Old Trafford, before signing a two-year contract at

Zeki then returned to England in order to sign for Tottenham Hotspur, before moving across London to join Crystal Palace on a three-year contract in September 2013.

During his time at Selhurst Park, Zeki made 14 appearances for The Eagles, as well as enjoying loan moves at Championship sides, Rotherham United and Ipswich Town respectively.

In the summer of 2017, Zeki then made the move to Barnsley where he made thirty-one appearances for The Tykes over a two-year period.

Transferring to Swindon Town in the summer of 2019, Zeki helped the Wiltshire side claim the Sky Bet League Two title – making twenty-five appearances during what proved to be a memorable season for The Robins.

During the 2020/21 season, Zeki made eleven further appearances for the Sky Bet League One side before being released at the end of his contract.

Zeki spent the 2021/22 campaign at eventual National League champions Stockport County, and National League South side, Welling United.

Previous Clubs:

Manchester United, Standard Liege, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, Rotherham United, Ipswich Town, Barnsley, Swindon Town, Stockport County, Welling United.

Abdul Djalo Midfielder

Abdul began his career at Manchester United, where he progressed through the youth ranks before making the move to Crewe Alexandra.

After completing his youth development at Gresty Road, Abdul then spent two years at FC Barnton before signing a dual registration with Skelmersdale United and Warrington The tenacious midfielder made twenty-seven appearances for Skelmersdale – scoring three goals and being awarded the Man of the Man accolade on four separate occasions.

Abdul also made two appearances for Warrington Rylands, before agreed a contract at the Leasing.com Stadium that spans until the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

Previous Clubs:

Manchester United, Crewe Alexandra, FC Barnton, Warrington Rylands, Skelmersdale United.

Alex Curran Midfielder

Attacking midfielder Alex Curran joined the Club from Vanarama National League North side Curzon Ashton in June 2022, for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old signed a two-year contract – keeping him at the Leasing. com Stadium until the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Alex began his career at Blackburn Rovers and after progressing through the youth ranks, moved to Colne where he scored 18 goals and provided 13 assists during the 2018/19 season.

After a two-year spell at Stockport County that included a loan move to FC United of Manchester, Alex made the move to Curzon Ashton in the summer of 2021 – where he made 44 appearances for The Nash – scoring 13 goals.

Alex is a powerful, pacey midfielder who provides a potent attacking threat – both in terms of goals and assists.

Previous Clubs:

Blackburn Rovers, Colne, Stockport County, FC United of Manchester, Curzon Ashton.