One year ago, today, Luis Lacey joined the Silkmen following his departure from Curzon Ashton. Twelve months on, we review Luis’ stint to date at the Leasing.com Stadium.
Lacey became John Rooney’s seventh signing of the summer of 2025 a little over a month in to his tenure, bolstering the squad in a personalised fashion as the Manager began to put his own stamp on the team. Originally recruited as a left back, Lacey offers versatility to the squad, also capable of playing further forward in the middle of the park as a central midfielder or winger.
The then-20 year old had valuable experience at both a higher and similar level, beginning his career in the academies of EFL sides Barnsley and Tranmere Rovers, before heading out on loan to Flint Town and most recently a spell with Curzon Ashton who Lacey would come up against in last season’s National League North.
Lacey made the best possible start to life with the Silkmen, grabbing his first goal in Macc colours which also proved to be the winner away at Southport just five days after joining the Club.
National League North: Southport v Macclesfield at Haig Avenue, 19/08/25, Southport. Credit: Phil Jones/sportseyephoto.com
Since his dream start, Lacey quickly became a mainstay in the Macc team, initially challenging Brandon Lee for the left back position, and stepping up to fill the void left by absences through injury or suspension.
Lacey’s major chance came in unfortunate circumstances with Brandon suffering a long-term knee injury in the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup away at Slough Town, leaving Luis with the opportunity to make the position his own.
The young full back, who turned 21 just after the turn of the year, impressed having quickly established himself as the go to choice at full back for Rooney, including fantastic opportunities to showcase his talent against Premier League sides Crystal Palace and Brentford in the FA Cup.
Although referenced by outsiders as the brother of Manchester United prodigy Shea, Luis came in to his own having comfortably grown in the role, and was recognised by Silkmen supporters as a quality player in his own right, who had earned his chance to prove his worth at a challenging level.
He was quickly provided with healthy competition in the form of Kacper Pasiek, who joined on loan from Championship side Preston North End in January, battling it out for a place in the starting eleven in the latter stages of the 2025/26 season, though for large parts, was able to retain his left back position for the majority of the remainder of the campaign, going on to make 52 appearances including featuring from the off in our play-off semi-final against Kidderminster Harriers.
Luis has developed as a player and a person no-end during his time at Macclesfield, and he has been a joy to watch for fans on the terrace, providing flair, pace and a wicked left foot. With plenty of time to further learn the role in years to come, Lacey has every chance of becoming a star of the future and is certainly one to watch in the upcoming 2026/27 season.
We’d like to congratulate Luis on a successful first season with the Silkmen and wish him luck for his second season with us in the Enterprise National League North.
