Following yesterday’s closure of the 2026 summer transfer window for all Premier League and EFL Clubs, we take a dive in to the archives to reflect on deadline day signings of our own from years gone by!
John Rooney – 31st August 2023
The now-Manager of Macclesfield FC re-joined the Silkmen as a player on the final day of August in 2023 after leaving Oldham Athletic. Although strictly speaking, the move wasn’t under the conditions of deadline day due to Oldham’s then status as a National League Club, the deal coincided with the final day of the summer transfer window of that year, and was a huge coup for the Club with Rooney playing over 400 times since starting out with Macclesfield Town in 2008, most notably so with the likes of Chester, Wrexham, Barrow, Stockport County and Oldham as well as a stint in the States at both New York Red Bulls and Orlando City.
John made 67 appearances for Macclesfield FC between 2023 and 2025, surpassing a total of 500 career appearances before swapping playing for managing following the departure of Robbie Savage last summer. Rooney infamously lead the Club to the Fourth Round of the Emirates FA Cup, 4th place in the Enterprise National League North and the Fourth Round of the Isuzu FA Trophy, all in his inaugural season in the hot seat.
The Silkmen now find themselves at the top of the table at step two of non-league football after six games under Rooney’s guidance for the second season, most recently dispatching previous league leaders Hebburn Town 3-0 at the Leasing.com Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, coinciding with his three year anniversary of returning to Macclesfield.
Lee Bell – 2nd February 2015
Bell returned to Macclesfield Town for a second spell on loan from Burton Albion on deadline day in February 2015, for the final three months of the Silkmen’s 2014/15 season in the National League and scored in three consecutive games against Wrexham, Forest Green Rovers and Dartford. Whilst this stint with the Club was much shorter than his first back in 2008, Lee’s return in front of goal was the same, before hanging up his boots at the end of the season to then go in to a coaching role at Crewe Alexandra.
Waide Fairhurst – 31st January 2014
Fairhurst returned to Macclesfield on deadline day from Lincoln City, albeit outside of the EFL restrictions, just six months after departing for the Imps, this time on a one month loan, though would only record two appearances in blue before the expiry of the temporary move. His move back to Macc was made permanent again in the summer following, which proved to be more of a success with Waide grabbing 10 goals in 42 appearances, making him the Silkmen’s top goalscorer for the campaign including a stunning strike from the half way line against Kidderminster Harriers. This was in addition to his 13 goals in 58 appearances in his first two year spell with the Club in 2011.
Rhys Taylor – 31st January 2013
Picture by Matt Ratcliffe
Twelve months prior to Fairhurst’s return, the Silkmen captured the signature of shot-stopper Rhys Taylor from Preston North End. Taylor would become Macc’s first choice goalkeeper for the next two seasons, making a total of 109 appearances between the posts. He also kept an impressive 23 clean sheets in his first season with the Club, which saw us just miss out on the play-offs and included a run in the FA Cup as far as the Fourth Round, now an equal Club record following last season’s memorable success.
Taylor departed at the end of the 2014/15 season for Newport County, where he was then loaned out to Wrexham before joining AFC Fylde for a season, which resulted in a loan to Tranmere Rovers ahead of a return to Macclesfield for the goalkeeper, making nine appearances for the Club in his penultimate playing season. Taylor hung his gloves up at Bradford Park Avenue in the next campaign having amassed 266 career appearances.
Do you remember these four deadline day signings? If so, let us know which was your favourite, and why!
The Silkmen are still in a position to make incoming and outgoing transfers at present given the window only applies to Premier League and EFL Clubs and can therefore make alterations to the squad up to and including the 31st March.
