Macclesfield Town
Formed 1874
Promoted to Nationwide Division Three 1997
Kit History
1911 b
1934 b
1955 b
1960 b
1967 b
1974 b
1980 b
1987-1988 d f
1989-1990 d f
1990-1991 d
1991-1992 d
1994-1996 a d
1996-1997 a
1997-1998 a e
1999-2000 a e
2000-2001 a
2001-2003 a e
2003-2005 a f
2005-2006 c f
2006-2007 a f
2007-2008 c f
Background
The original Macclesfield FC was founded in the mid-1800s, according to the club's web site, and played under the rugby code until 1874 when the association rules were adopted. In 1882 they defeated Blackburn Olympic 3-2 in a friendly match: later that season Olympic went on to win the English (now FA) Cup. In 1890 Macclesfield joined the Combination League and a year later they moved into the Moss Rose Ground where the modern club still plays. In 1895 the club was in financial difficulties and a limited company was formed, raising £500 from issuing shares. It was not enough to keep the club solvent and in 1897, having finished bottom of the Combination, the club was wound up.
The Moss Road ground was taken over by the amateur Hallifield FC, members of the Stockport & District League. In 1899 they took over the name of Macclesfield FC and joined the North Staffordshire League and then the Manchester League. When the Great War broke out the club closed down and went into liquidation and all its assets were bought by one Walter Brown.
In August 1919 a new club was formed as Macclesfield FC and agreement reached with Mr Brown to use Moss Road once again. They joined the Cheshire League where they had a modest career. During the Second World War the club resigned from wartime competition and closed down until a new limited company was formed in 1946. It was not until the 1960s that "The Silkmen" began to make an impression, making three appearances in the FA Cup First Round. In 1968 they featured on Match of the Day when they were beaten by Fulham in the third round by 4-2, having led 2-1 at half time. The following season Macclesfield became founder members of the Northern Premier League and clinched the title at the first attempt. In 1970 the won the new FA Trophy at Wembley. The promise of these early successes soon faded, however, as financial problems forced the club to cut back on playing staff and by the end of the decade they were struggling to survive at the foot of the NPL. Their fortunes revived to some extent during the 1980s and in 1987 they won a treble of the Multipart Northern Premier League title, League Challenge Cup and President's Cup. More important, however, was that they were promoted to the GM Vauxhall Conference.
After seven seasons consolidating Macclesfield won the Conference championship but were denied promotion to the Football League because their ground did not meet the required standard. The following season they won the FA Trophy and in 1997 they won the Conference for the second time. Investment in safety improvements meant that this time promotion to the Football League was assured.
In their first ever season in the league, Macclesfield stormed to promotion as runners-up in Nationwide Division Three. It proved too much and they were relegated the following season. In December 2005 the FA ordered the club to pay a fine of £62,000 plus £195,000 in compensation to the Football Foundation due to irregularities in the financing of a stand built between 2000 and 2002. With Macclesfield reportedly losing £25,000 each month, the future of the club is in doubt.
Sources
- (a) empics
- (b) Club Colours (Bob Bickerton 1998)
- (c) Official Macclesfield Town Website
- (d) Alliance to Conference (John Harman 2005)
- (e) David King
- (f) Information on kit supplier provided by Mark Holland