A month-by-month review of our 2025/26 Enterprise National League North campaign, with October next on the agenda.
We had confirmation of a new date for our clash with Hereford at the start of October, re-arranged due to our progression in the Emirates FA Cup, for exactly a month later than initially scheduled for, now the 11th November.
Marine were the first visitors of the month to the Leasing.com Stadium and were successful on their travels, beating ten man Macc by a single second half strike from Matty Macdonald. Josh Kay was given his marching orders midway through the half for a rash challenge on Leigh Whelan.
Further confirmation followed the culmination of the Marine game from the Club’s shareholders regarding the reduced role of Rob Smethurst, acknowledging and thanking him for his unmatchable contributions to the Club to date. Rob was to retain his shareholding and further updates would follow surrounding the Club’s directional structure as the season progressed.
There was to be further re-structures as Peter Band, Nigel Keogh and Harry Whitham relinquished their roles within the First Team coaching and backroom staff, leaving the Management team as John Rooney, Francis Jeffers, Anthony Curran, Danny Whiting and Nick Smith. Merrisa Heraldson returned as Club Physiotherapist shortly with Ben Jackson also drafted in for physiotherapy support.
Everyone at Macclesfield FC was saddened to learn of the passing of John Imrie, a popular member of Peter Wragg’s side, winning the FA Trophy in 1989 for the Silkmen at Wembley.
Wraggy himself, who we also tragically lost recently, was honoured with a celebration of his life via a function at the home of the Silkmen, which was well attended and brought back fond memories for so many.
A date was then set for our Cheshire Senior Cup tie against local rivals Congleton Town, confirmed as Tuesday 18th November.
Our Under 18’s then embarked on a Cup run of their own, beginning what would become a Club record-breaking run in the FA Youth Cup with a whitewash 5-0 victory against Whitchurch Albion, earning them a Third Qualifying Round tie at home to Hartlepool United.
The Silkmen took the opportunity to acknowledge and engage with World Mental Health Day, on which Danny Elliott, Rollin Menayese, Luke Matheson, D’Mani Mellor and John Rooney bravely sat down to openly discuss how its ok to not be ok, and how they personally deal with difficult circumstances.
Macc would then go on to be victorious against Stamford in the final qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup at the Leasing.com Stadium, courtesy of a first half Paul Dawson strike, earning the Silkmen a place in the First Round Proper for the first time since reforming as Macclesfield FC..
The Silkmen were drawn to face AFC Totton, once again a Cup tie on our own patch for us to host and make full use of home advantage for, which was to be played on the 1st November, requiring further fixture re-scheduling.
Max Woltman bolstered the attacking ranks at Macc midway through the month and just prior to the Silkmen’s home game against Curzon Ashton, in which Woltman was in immediate contention to make his debut.
Woltman wouldn’t feature in the game that Macc secured their first home league victory since August thanks to a first half Danny Whitehead strike and Justin Johnson double either side of the interval.
The U18’s went matched the First Team stride for stride, securing victory against Hartlepool in the FA Youth Cup, setting up a First Round tie against Barnsley, a stage not previously reached by Macclesfield FC Youth Academy.
Macc would then make it back-to-back victories away at Leamington four days later, an evening dominated by the boys in blue but it was a solo goal from Danny Elliott that separated the sides at the end of the evening.
Shea Callister was added to the goalkeeping department, providing further competition to the Silkmen’s number one, Max Dearnley and Joe Nicholson whilst Luke Griffiths departed for Southport in search of additional game time.
The Silkmen concluded the month’s fixtures with the biggest statement victory yet against a previously unbeaten South Shields side, with Danny Elliott on the scoresheet once more, bundling the ball over the line to take Macc to 9th in the Enterprise National League North.
Sean Etaluku departed for Forest Green Rovers in an unexpected move shortly after the game, with the winger not involved due to injury.
John Rooney was deservedly nominated for his prominent role in guiding the Silkmen from 14th to 9th as preparations were underway for Macclesfield FC’s debut in the First Round of the Emirates FA Cup, welcoming the region’s media to a sizeable pre-match press conference ahead of our tie against Totton.
Results in October:
Macclesfield FC 0-1 Marine AFC
Macclesfield FC 1-0 Stamford AFC
Macclesfield FC 3-2 Curzon Ashton
Leamington FC 0-1 Macclesfield FC
Macclesfield FC 1-0 South Shields
Players signed:
Max Woltman
Shea Callister
Players departed:
Sean Etaluku
Luke Griffiths
