On Saturday lunchtime, our defence of the FA Cup begins – but beforehand, take a moment to get to know Macclesfield FC, one of the most inspiring success stories from non-league football in modern times...
Founded in 2020 after the liquidation of former Football League club Macclesfield Town, the Silkmen have quickly climbed the football pyramid, reaching the National League North – Step Two of English football – thanks to a combination of ambition on the pitch and detailed planning off it.
Find out everything you need to know about Macclesfield FC, below!
Macclesfield FC were founded in October 2020 after Macclesfield Town – originally established in 1874 – were wound up following a High Court ruling and debts in excess of £500,000.
With Moss Rose Stadium and the club’s remaining assets placed on the market, local businessman Robert Smethurst stepped in to safeguard the future of football in the town.
Smethurst acquired the stadium and assets with the intention of building a new, sustainable club. Former Welsh international Robbie Savage was appointed onto the board and as Director of Football, while Silkmen legend Danny Whitaker took charge as the club’s first manager.
Significant investment followed, with more than £4 million committed to upgrading Moss Rose and improving the club’s commercial operation.
Ahead of the 2021/22 season, Macclesfield FC were placed into the North West Counties Football League Premier Division (Step Five of the English football pyramid).
From the outset, community engagement was a central pillar of the club’s identity, with a partnership formed with the Robbie Savage Foundation to provide free tickets for young participants and encourage the next generation of supporters through the doors of Moss Rose.
The club’s first competitive fixture took place on 31st July 2021, when a crowd of over 2,000 watched a 1-0 home victory over Burscough. Leon Arnasalam etched his name into history by scoring Macclesfield FC’s first-ever goal.
See Leon Arnasalam score Macclesfield FC's first competitive goal, below!
Progress came quickly. In March 2022, Macclesfield became the first club within the highest nine tiers of the English pyramid to secure promotion, clinching the NWCFL Premier Division title with a convincing 4-0 victory against Ashton Athletic.
What followed was an extraordinary rise. The Silkmen claimed the Northern Premier League Division One West title in 2022/23 and, the following season, reached the FA Trophy semi-final – the only side outside the National League to achieve the feat that year.
They completed a remarkable hat-trick in 2025 by winning the Northern Premier League Premier Division, bringing an end to two seasons spent in the seventh tier (Step Three).
The club’s rise saw several changes in the dugout, with Neil Danns, Mark Duffy, Alex Bruce and Michael Clegg all taking charge at different stages. Under Clegg, Macclesfield reached the aforementioned FA Trophy semi-finals and the NPL Premier Division play-offs, narrowly missing out on promotion in 2024.
That disappointment was emphatically addressed the following season when Savage returned, this time as head coach. His impact was immediate and historic…
The 2024/25 campaign proved to be one of the most dominant in Northern Premier League history. Macclesfield secured promotion to the National League North with weeks to spare, finishing 26 points clear of their nearest rivals, winning 12 consecutive matches and amassing a league-record 109 points.
It marked a remarkable first season in management for Savage, with numerous club records shattered along the way.
Last summer, ahead of the 2025/26 season, Savage departed to take up the manager’s role at National League side Forest Green Rovers.
Later the same day, Macclesfield confirmed former professional midfielder John Rooney as their new manager, bringing an end to an illustrious playing career and ushering in a new chapter at Moss Rose.
Rooney’s transition from player to manager happened at pace. Having re-joined the club in 2023, discussions about coaching had taken place, but few expected the opportunity to arrive so quickly.
With pre-season approaching, Rooney met with owner Robert Smethurst and was entrusted with leading the club into its debut season at National League North level.
While the Rooney surname is synonymous with footballing success, John has managed to carve out a legacy of his own.
A product of Everton’s academy, he made his professional debut with Macclesfield Town in 2009 and has accumulated over 500 senior appearances with clubs including Wrexham, Stockport County and Oldham Athletic.
Now, he begins his managerial journey where his senior playing career started. Assisted by former Everton and Arsenal striker Francis Jeffers, Rooney has guided the Silkmen through a demanding campaign that has had to balance league commitments with an eye-catching FA Cup run.
Macclesfield sit 14th in the National League North table, but with games in hand on several sides around them. Cup competitions have played a defining role in their season, with the Silkmen still alive in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy.
An outstanding cup run has carried Macclesfield into the FA Cup third-round for the first time since their reformation, surpassing their previous best of the fourth qualifying round. Victories over Atherton Laburnum Rovers, Nantwich Town, Stamford AFC, AFC Totton and Slough Town have paved the way.
Entering the competition at the Second Qualifying Round following promotion to the National League North, the Silkmen began with a comfortable 3-0 win over Atherton LR before overcoming fellow Cheshire East side Nantwich Town 2-0. Progression to the First Round Proper came via a narrow victory over Southern Premier League Central outfit Stamford, with Paul Dawson’s solitary strike proving decisive.
A first-half hat-trick from Danny Elliott then swept aside Totton, before a dramatic extra-time victory against 10-man Slough Town secured Macclesfield’s place in the third-round draw as the lowest-ranked side remaining in the competition.
At the back, ‘keeper Max Dearnley has been a consistent presence, registering eight clean sheets this term and recently reaching 75 appearances for the club.
Defender Rollin Menayese adds experience and physicality, having joined in January 2025 after spells with Grimsby Town, Walsall and Aldershot Town.
In midfield, Josh Kay has impressed since arriving on loan from Oldham Athletic. The versatile midfielder brings goals, promotion-winning experience and a strong footballing pedigree, having enjoyed a five-year spell at Barrow that included their National League title success in 2020.
Danny Elliott continues to lead the line with distinction, scoring 14 times this season after netting 41 goals in all competitions during the 2024/25 title-winning campaign following his arrival from Scunthorpe United. He is also the club's record goalscorer with 57 goals.
Like the rest of the football world, Crystal Palace Football Club were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of 21-year-old Macclesfield FC forward Ethan McLeod last month.
Macclesfield FC wrote at the time, when announcing the news of his tragic death: "Ethan was an incredibly talented player, who had his whole life ahead of him.
"But more than that, Ethan’s infectious personality endeared him to everyone that he came into contact with.
"In giving his all in everything he did, Ethan effortlessly pushed us all to be the best we can be - both on and off the pitch."
Everyone at Crystal Palace's deepest sympathies are with his family, friends and everyone connected with Macclesfield FC at this extremely difficult time. May you rest in peace, Ethan.
Macclesfield FC v Crystal Palace
