Macclesfield FC are excited to introduce a brand new loan programme for those in our Emerging Talent Group.
At Macclesfield FC, we are proud to offer genuine pathways into senior football for talented young players. Whether they have progressed through our Junior Academy, developed within our BTEC Football Education Programme, or been identified through our Emerging Talent Programme, every player has a clear route towards first-team football.
A key part of that journey is experiencing the demands of the senior game through carefully selected loan moves. This season, a number of our young players will continue their development by gaining valuable minutes across the non-league pyramid, allowing them to test themselves in competitive environments while representing Macclesfield FC. These opportunities are designed to accelerate their progression and prepare them to compete for places in our first-team squad.
Cameron Bradbury-Allen (21)
Having impressed during a successful spell with Stockport Town in Step 5 last season, Cameron has earned a season-long loan with Hyde United, where he will work under Michael Clegg. A player identified through our Emerging Talent Programme, Cameron’s composed, ball-playing style and physical stature should be perfectly suited to Hyde’s excellent 4G surface. We are confident he will receive valuable game time throughout the campaign as he continues his development.
Fin Foote (18)
BTEC student Fin Foote (18) made 15 appearances for Foley Meir in the North West Counties League Division One South last season, gaining valuable senior experience. He also took part in some of our pre season friendlies usually coming on in a forward position. Technically Fin is very well developed and his running fitness was setting club records pre season even against first team stats. Fin has returned to Foley Meir on an initial three-month loan, where he is settled, enjoying his football and continuing his excellent development. The loan provides another excellent opportunity to play regular senior football as he progresses through Macclesfield FC’s player pathway.
Harry McGowan (17)
A second-year BTEC student, Harry featured six times for Ashton Athletic last season. This campaign he joins Winsford United, where his pace, energy and attacking qualities are expected to make him an exciting option at left-back. The move represents another important step in his progression into senior football and we expect this season to be a big one for him.
Sam Elliott (18)
A product of both Macclesfield FC’s Junior Academy and BTEC Football Education Programme, Sam enjoyed an excellent first season in senior football, making 18 appearances and scoring four goals for Winsford United. Comfortable in central midfield and also capable of playing at right-back, Sam has adapted superbly to the physical demands of the senior game. Sam also featured in our early pre season games and got a great goals against Hyde United. Now entering the second year of his BTEC programme, he joins Northwich Victoria on loan, where we expect him to continue his development with regular first-team football.
Jamie Walker (19)
Jamie enjoyed an outstanding spell with Colne last season, producing a series of impressive performances and earning several Man of the Match awards. As the campaign progressed, he established himself as one of the club’s standout performers utilising his pace and fitness. Jamie returns to Colne on an initial short-term loan, and we believe this could be a breakthrough season as he continues his excellent development.
Aaron Grewal (25)
Exciting and creative Aaron begins the season on an initial short-term loan with Eccleshall FC in Step 6, having already been involved throughout their pre-season programme. The move will provide regular senior minutes as he looks to build momentum during the opening months of the campaign. Having played higher at Curzon Ashton, Stalybridge and Witton in the past we expect Aarron to excel at this level and look forward to a good amount of game time and monitoring his progress.
Lucas Bull (16)
Another player to have progressed through both Macclesfield FC’s Junior Academy and BTEC Football Education Programme, Lucas enjoyed an excellent loan spell with Colne last season, where his stay was extended to nine appearances. He returns to Colne for the new campaign, where he is expected to feature regularly at either centre-back or right-back. At just 16 years and two weeks old, Lucas became Colne’s youngest-ever player, and we hope this season will see him galvanise his starting place.
Rhys Yates (17)
Rhys (17) is another of our BTEC students who possesses great attributes, enjoying an impressive spell for the Silkmen last season in the U18 FA Youth Cup and for the Men’s First Team in the Cheshire Senior Cup, in which he scored the fourth and final goal against Congleton Town. Yates heads to Northwich Victoria for his first taste of regular senior football under the watchful eye of Macc Academy Coach Ross Speight, doubling as Vics’ First Team Coach. We are confident this will further accelerate Rhys’ career and look forward to reviewing his inevitable progress.
The players featured above are just the first wave of our loan programme for the 2026/27 season. Over the coming weeks, several more players from our Junior Academy and BTEC Football Education Programme will also take the next step into senior football through our extensive network of partner clubs.
Among those expected to head out on loan are Ethan Anderton, Miles Smethurst, Caleb Hawton, Lewis Worsley and Jacob Hollands, with further opportunities also being explored for other members of our Emerging Talent pathway. By placing our young players in the right environments, we aim to provide regular competitive football that accelerates their development and prepares them for the demands of representing Macclesfield FC’s first team.
Sporting Director Jonathan Bull said:
“Our aim is to provide one of the strongest player pathways in non-league football. Whether a player joins us through our Junior Academy, our BTEC Football Education Programme or our Emerging Talent Programme, they know there is a genuine opportunity to progress into senior football.
Our loan programme is one of the most important parts of that journey. We carefully select clubs where our players will be challenged, trusted and given regular opportunities to play. Those competitive minutes are invaluable, and we’re grateful to all of our partner clubs for the role they play in developing our young talent.
We don’t just want to produce good young footballers—we want to produce first-team footballers. These loan opportunities bridge that gap, and we’re excited to watch each of these players develop over the coming months before welcoming them back stronger, more experienced and ready to challenge for places in our first-team squad.”
