It has been an encouraging start for our players on our Emerging Talent Programme here at Macclesfield Football Club.
The Emerging Talent Programme was established in memory of the late Ethan McLeod to celebrate the journey he went on as a player.
In the early stages of the programme, we have developed a number of strong relationships with Grassroots Clubs, which are playing a major part in our players’ development.
We have got 11 players who are currently on our Emerging Talent Programme, all of whom have shown early signs of progress in the early stages of their careers.
Here is our early season update on how our Emerging Talent is getting on:
Hassan Ayub – Full Back (Macclesfield FC)
Hassan Ayub signed for the Silkmen back in July after coming through the Academy setup at League One side Bradford City.
Ayub had impressed whilst on trial for the Silkmen during Pre-Season and adapted to the first-team environment very quickly.
Hassan has already made two first-team appearances for John Rooney’s side, making substitute appearances against Hebburn Town and Merthyr Town.
The 18-year-old possesses a lot of the key attributes for that of a full-back, with him showing great pace and directness in joining an attack, but he can also do the dirty work defensively.
It has been a great early learning experience for the full-back, who we are excited to see develop as the season goes on.
Matthew Apter – Centre Midfielder (Macclesfield FC)
Matty Apter signed for the Silkmen at the end of August after he left Cardiff City at the end the 2025/26 season.
The 20-year-old midfielder burst onto the scene at Everton, featuring heavily for their U18s before making the step up to the U21s side.
Apter has shown his creativity on numerous occasions and provides a great asset in the Silkmen’s midfield ranks.
He has made a number of substitute appearances so far in the Enterprise National League North and still has a lot of potential to show in what is his first taste of senior football.
Cameron Bradbury-Allen – Centre Back (Hyde United)
Cameron Bradbury-Allen secured a season-long loan to Northern Premier League side Hyde United, who are managed by former Silkmen manager Michael Clegg.
The centre-back has started his career at the Project Solar Stadium well after making a significant step up from his end-of-season loan with Stockport Town the previous season.
The 21-year-old has already made five appearances for the Tigers and was named Man of the Match in their 1-0 victory over FC United of Manchester.
Bradbury-Allen hasn’t struggled to adapt to the two-division gap between his last two loan moves, and Hyde provides him with an excellent foundation to continue his development.
We are excited to see how Cam progresses as the season goes on, in an environment he knows and with former Silkmen players Dontai Gabidon and Tom Clare in the NPL side’s ranks.
Barney Wiggin – Striker (Colne FC)
Standing at six feet, four inches, 18-year-old Barney Wiggin provides the Silkmen with an exciting future prospect in forward areas.
The striker has started his season with Colne FC in the NWCFL Div One North on fire, as he currently sits joint second in the scoring charts for the division.
Wiggin has 10 goals in all competitions so far this season, which includes a hat-trick against local rivals Darwen.
Barney’s performances have attracted interest, but we continue to support Barney’s development and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the season with Colne has in store.
Colne currently sit 10th in their division and will be hoping to make a push for a play-off position this season.
Jamie Walker – Winger (Colne FC)
Winger Jamie Walker will be a name that will be familiar to many Silkmen fans, and he is one whom we are continuing to develop this season as part of our Emerging Talent Squad.
Walker has made 12 appearances so far this season for Colne, scoring three goals and creating a number of assists.
He has quickly become a favourite of the Colne faithful with his continuous hard work and industrious nature.
Many Silkmen fans may remember that Walker came off the bench in the Silkmen’s final league game against Radcliffe last season, as well as featuring twice in the Cheshire Senior Cup and even got on the scoresheet against Stalybridge Celtic.
Walker will continue his development this season at Colne, as well as being part of our International Programme based at the University of Lancashire.
Lucas Bull – Centre Back (Colne FC)
The third of our Emerging Talent Squad based out of Lancashire Club Colne is centre back, Lucas Bull.
Bull has featured in Colne’s last four fixtures mainly in defence, with one cameo as a striker; the defensive record during that time has been perfect, with zero goals conceded.
The 16-year-old continues to look to get consistent game time at a very early stage of his career, alongside a number of experienced heads around him.
Lucas keeps gaining confidence game by game and will come a point where he is a regular in the heart of Colne’s defensive ranks.
Bull has also been involved in the Silkmen’s FA Youth Cup tie with Cheadle Town during the week, and we are looking forward to seeing his potential grow.
Fin Foote – Centre Midfielder (Foley Meir)
Midfielder Fin Foote is another player with great potential and now has a solid year in Non-League football under his belt.
Foote plays for Stoke-on-Trent-based side Foley Meir in the NWCFL Div One South and has started the season in strong fashion.
It has been a great start for Foote. After being involved in the first team’s Pre-Season, he is now featuring regularly in the heart of Meir’s midfield.
He has two goals so far this season from central midfield, including an impressive free kick in his last game.
The 18-year-old’s energy, work rate and dynamism make him a real asset for the Silkmen in the future and have been a real driving force for Foley Meir in the opening exchanges of this season.
We are looking forward to seeing how Fin progresses this season, after really kicking on at the start of this season.
Sam Elliott – Centre Midfielder (Northwich Victoria)
Last season’s U18 captain, Sam Elliott, is in his second dual registration in Non-League football after his spell with Winsford United last season.
He started the season with Northwich Victoria in the Midland Football League strong, making four appearances from centre midfield.
Injury has disrupted Elliott’s start to the season, as he recovers from a wrist injury that has kept him out for the last few weeks.
Elliott is also fortunate to have a familiar face in the dugout, with Silkmen Academy Manager Ross Speight serving as Assistant Manager for the Vics.
Sam has come through the ranks at Macclesfield FC, and we are hoping that he can continue his upward trajectory at the Club.
Rhys Yates – Winger (Northwich Victoria)
17-year-old Rhys Yates is on the right path to become a top player for the Silkmen in the future.
The winger has already featured in the First Team in the Cheshire Senior Cup and scored the Silkmen’s fourth goal against Congleton Town with a great strike off the crossbar.
As well as featuring for our BTEC sides and in our FA Youth Cup campaigns, Yates is continuing his development with Northwich Victoria in a senior environment.
Miles Smethurst – Centre Back (Crewe FC)
16-year-old Miles Smethurst is in the early stages of his senior football career.
After rising through the age groups in the Silkmen’s Junior Academy, Smethurst now gets his first taste of senior football with NWCFL Div One South side Crewe FC.
The deal with Crewe FC allows Miles to gain an important early experience of senior football as they continue their development alongside playing on our Football Education programme.
Jakob Hollands – Full Back (Crewe FC)
Jakob Hollands is another who is taking early steps into senior football with Crewe FC.
Hollands came off the bench for the Silkmen in the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday night and was key in getting forward but also doing his main defensive duties.
The full-back gets a good taste of adult football, which is fundamental for his development at an early stage of his career.
