As a season like no other comes to a close, it’s time to look back on what a special season 2024/25 has been for the football club and the town of Macclesfield.
After the play-off heartbreak against Marine, expectations were high going into the 2024/25 season, with Robbie Savage taking the managerial reins at the Leasing.com Stadium. A handful of new signings came through the door with Justin Johnson, Elliott Whitehouse, Danny Whitehead, Max Dearnley, and Danny Elliott all committing to the journey, as well as Kielen Adams, Scott Holding, and Tom Scott all joining the club.
It was the toughest start possible for The Silkmen as they travelled to last season’s beaten Play-Off Semi-Finalists Worksop Town on the opening day. A resolute defensive display coupled with a last-gasp winner from Luke Duffy saw Savage get off to the perfect start to life in the managerial hot seat. The Silkmen would complete the month of August with a further three victories against Prescot Cables, Guiseley, and Whitby Town, as well as draws against Ilkeston Town and Hyde United. Our FA Cup campaign got underway in North Yorkshire at the end of the month as Paul Dawson’s hat-trick got the better of Tadcaster Albion in the Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round.
September got off to the perfect start against league newcomers Stockton Town as Justin Johnson got the only goal of the game to send the Silkmen top of the tree, whilst we also got our first look at D’Mani Mellor in Silkmen colours. Mellor would make his Silkmen mark the following Tuesday as he got the only goal in a victory over Ashton United at the Leasing.com Stadium. Victories over FC United of Manchester, Gainsborough Trinity and Basford United completed September’s 100% league record, whilst two big wins in the Emirates FA Cup over South Shields and Witton Albion set up a clash with National League side Tamworth.
The Silkmen would ultimately fall to the National League outfit at the Fourth Qualifying Round stage despite taking the lead on the day. Another Isuzu FA Trophy campaign got underway following our Semi-Final exploits last season, with the Silkmen facing City of Liverpool at the first stage before battering of Ashton United at the end of the month 7-1. The gap was starting to widen at the top of the division as well, with another three league victories over Hebburn Town, Warrington Rylands and Matlock Town keeping the Silkmen unbeaten in the league.
After impressing in the game at Proctor Cars Stadium, The Silkmen acted quick to secure the permanent services of winger Sean Etaluku from League Two side Barrow. It was the perfect start to November for Savage’s side, with back to back victories against Lancaster City and Morpeth Town. The Silkmen then completed an Ashton double in the FA Trophy as a penalty shootout victory over Curzon continued our recent strong record against The Nash. Victory at the Tameside Stadium saw the Silkmen drawn against old foes Altrincham at the J.Davidson Stadium. The invincible Silkmen would be broken on a cold Tuesday night in Derbyshire as Mickleover got the better of the the league leaders for the first time in the league. The month would be rounded in dramatic fashion as a late Luke Duffy goal saw the ’50’ jubilant Silkmen fans come away in high spirits and three points from Workington.
A battling display in foul conditions at the start of December was in vain as the Silkmen fell to a penalty shootout defeat to Altrincham in the FA Trophy. Over 1000 Silkmen supporters braved the torrential conditions to back their side and were so close to earning a famous victory. The league leaders responded with victories over Stockton Town and Bamber Bridge which took Robbie Savage’s side 16 points clear at the top of the division. The festive period wasn’t as kind to the Silkmen as a hard fought point away at Prescot Cables and a Boxing Day defeat to Leek Town brought the curtain down on the calendar year.
It was important that Savage’s side bounced back with a vengeance, and they did just that with victory over Hyde United on New Year’s Day. A hat-trick from Danny Elliott, plus goals from Paul Dawson and Alex Curran saw Macc return to winning ways in style. The first home game of 2025 also resulted in a huge victory as the Silkmen completed a league double over Worksop Town after coming from a goal down to win 3-1. A minor set back away Ashton United proved just a blip, as from that point forward, Macclesfield FC would not be beaten again that season. After a week of heavy snowfall, the community came to our aid in clearing tons of snow off the pitch, which allowed our fixture against FC United of Manchester go ahead. The volunteers hard graft would be rewarded, as a 2-0 victory saw Macc sitting pretty at the summit. Robbie Savage’s side would complete the New Year with two victories over Gainsborough Trinity and Basford United.
February started with a long trip to Hebburn Town as a late Sam Heathcote strike secured the Silkmen a vital point in the North East. Robbie Savage’s league leaders returned to the Leasing.com Stadium firing on all accounts with a 6-1 victory over Mickleover. The victory over the Derbyshire outfit moved Macc 20 points clear at the top ahead of a trip to in form side Warrington Rylands. Despite falling behind early on in the game, three goals without reply from Danny Elliott, Tre Pemberton and D’Mani Mellor secured another huge victory. It was back-to-back 3-1 victories for The Silkmen as Elliott got his second hat-trick of the season to see of Lancaster City at Giant Axe.
Heading into March, the title was within the Silkmen’s grasp! The month started with another three points, this time at home to Matlock Town thanks to a D’Mani Mellor goal. A free weekend for The Silkmen saw a lot unfold in the Northern Premier League. Results elsewhere meant that the Silkmen could be crowned Champions at Morpeth Town, if they bettered Worksop’s result. Savage’s side did their job with a convincing 4-0 win at Craik Park, however Worksop beating Hyde United meant the title went on to Bamber Bridge at home. It was a day that we will all remember for a lifetime. Despite trailing at the break, The Silkmen came from behind thanks to a Laurent Mendy thunderbolt and a poachers finish from Danny Elliott to secure Macclesfield FC the Northern Premier League – Premier Division title in front of 4724 supporters. The Champions then completed their 100% record for the month with a convincing 5-0 win away at Blyth Spartans with five goals from five different scorers.
The season was drawing to a climax, but there was letting up for the Champions as there were records still to be broken. A home victory over Workington saw Macc within touching distance of 100 points for the season. That 100 point barrier would be broken through away at Guiseley the following week with a dominant victory on the road courtesy of a Neil Kengni brace and Diego De Girolamo’s first Silkmen goal on loan from Buxton. The busy Easter schedule arrived with two victories over Ilkeston Town and Leek Town seeing the Silkmen become the greatest ever Northern Premier League side. The players dually obliged, as victories over Leek and Ilkeston saw the Champions become the best ever. Those two victories meant as well that the Silkmen had beaten every side in the league this season to add to the records broken. The final day arrived and the Silkmen put on a show, beating Whitby Town 4-0 to reach 109 points and 109 goals for the season. The title was then presented in front of a bumper crowd at the Leasing.com Stadium to crown a special season for the club.
It will be a season that goes down in our memories for many a year to come. League records tumbled, club records tumbled, as the Silkmen became the BEST EVER! The Silkmen head into the Vanarama National League North with Savage well and truly at the wheel.
