Following the retail launch of our 2026/27 DNA kits, we take a trip down memory lane, reminiscing of the previous years in which Macc played in black.
2006/07 & 2007/08
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The Silkmen’s first black away kit emerged in 2006/07, featuring a blue and white half and half collar, replicated on each leg of the shorts. The kit was revealed ahead in a season that started with beginning Brian Horton in change, who was replaced in October 2006 by new Player/Manager Paul Ince.
The all-black away kit, manufactured by A Line and sponsored by Cheshire Building Society was most famously donned that season in Macclesfield Town’s FA Cup Third Round tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, in which the Silkmen drew level thanks to John Murphy’s iconic strike, though fell victim to Frank Lampard’s first Chelsea hat-trick.
Despite a tough season, Macc survived on the final day thanks to a draw with Notts County to retain our league status. John Miles’ 6th minute goal was enough to keep Macc up. Ince also made his final appearance as a professional footballer with five minutes to play.
The kit was retained for the following season, as per the norm of the era, under new Manager Ian Brightwell, though after a poor run of results, Brightwell departed in February 2008, and was replaced by the fondly remembered Keith Alexander, who, similarly to Ince, was able to retain the Silkmen’s league status after an upturn in form in the latter stages of the season.
2009/10 & 2010/11
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After a brief stint in white in the 2008/09 season courtesy of new manufacturers Adidas, the Silkmen reverted to black for the 2009/10 & 2010/11 seasons, predominantly featuring the German sportswear giant’s three stripes in the yellow trim, across the shoulders and the front of the kit, arching over a central Adidas logo with the full colour Macclesfield Town badge on the left breast.
This particular kit bears the most resemblance to our all new 2026/27 DNA third kit, and in a full-circle moment, was worn by now-Manager John Rooney at the beginning of his playing career. Rooney will now oversee the Silkmen donning threads similar to the ones of yesteryear that he will no doubt reflect on with pride.
That particular two years however was overshadowed by the devastation of Keith Alexander and Richard Butcher’s tragic passings. Each of Macc’s former favourites will forever be remembered by all associated with the Club.
2011/12
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The black away kit then stuck for the following 2011/12 season, with a revamped style, produced by Adidas and sponsored by Voi Jeans, the predominantly black kit featured a vertical, floating white trim under the arms, with the famous three white stripes sprawling across the shoulders. The Macclesfield Town logo sat proudly opposite the Adidas logo on each side of the chest above the white Voi Jeans logo, mirrored in that season’s home kit. The third kit was a continuation of the previous three seasons, sponsored by Cheshire Building Society, originally the away kit in 2008/09.
Continuing to mourn the passing of Alexander and Butcher, the Silkmen struggled for form that season, led by Keith’s former assistant, Gary Simpson, who despite his best efforts, failed to steer the ship in the right direction and was politely relieved of his duties by then Chairman Mike Rance in March 2012. Brian Horton took over for the remainder of the season, though couldn’t avoid the fast approaching fate of relegation to the Conference, following which Horton also departed.
2018/19
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After a six season hiatus, a black Macc kit away returned in the 2018/19 season, produced by new kit partners for that season, Macron. The shirt featured a hooped V-neck design, with the black intertwined with a steel grey and fronted by a bold, gold Zaki Artist Management logo. John Yates began the season as Manager at the now Leasing.com Stadium, though the start to the campaign was one to forget, despite a visit to the London Stadium to take on West Ham United in the Third Round of the Carabao Cup, in which Macc suffered a heavy defeat, contributing to Yates departing shortly after in October, who was temporarily replaced by Silkmen legends Danny Whitaker and Neil Howarth.
Former England international and Premier League invincible Sol Campbell took charge the month after, and was able to steady the ship and ensure Macc would remain a league Club after returning to the EFL just twelve months earlier, courtesy of an Elliott Durrell equaliser against Cambridge United on the final day.
2019/20
Black remained the preference for the core colour of what unbeknownst at the time, was to be Macclesfield Town’s final away kit. Both kits were produced by Nike and in a clever marketing ploy, appeared sponsor-less though were supported by Paddy Power. Macc became Paddy Power’s fifth Club to don a plain front of shirt as part of their ‘Save our Shirt’ campaign.
The kit was finished in solid black, featuring a lime trim along the shoulders and around the sleeve ends, reappearing as the main sock colour. The shorts also boasted a similarly simplistic design to the shirt of all-black.
Appearances in the one of five shirt were somewhat overshadowed by various off-field issues for the Silkmen which, alongside the coronavirus pandemic, resulted in Macc’s season being cut short and relegation back to the Conference.
2025/26
Black returned as a core colour of the Silkmen’s kits last season, well after the Club as revived as Macclesfield FC, under new ownership and firmly on the up, having returned to the National League North following three promotions in four seasons. The stealthy all-black kit, manufactured by Adidas and sponsored by Kings Will Dream was introduced as the Club’s third kit for our return to step two, and was interchanged with the all-white away kit where applicable. Memorable outings for the kit included victories at Buxton and Curzon Ashton.
2026/27
Most recently, we launched our brand new all-black third kit, in collaboration with DNA. Following on from the traditional use of the stealthy look from years gone by, taking elements of each and combining it in to an impressive statement, making the Silkmen more recognisable than ever when not in our blue home strip. The silk-based design, created by new manufacturers DNA is featured on all three home, away and third kits this season, emblazed with front-of-shirt sponsor Duck And Cover, along with sleeve sponsors Kings Will Dream.
The iconic yellow trim pays tribute to the Club’s secondary colour, and features prominently within the shirt, short and socks’ trim and logos. The third shirt is yet to make an appearance in the current campaign, though is likely to make its debut at Oxford in October, if not before. The changed kit along with the home, away, goalkeeper and training kits are all available to purchase online and in store now.
