Pre-Season Preview: Macclesfield v Chester FC

The Seals head to Macclesfield on Saturday, for their final pre-season test, as Calum McIntyre’s men prepare for the opening day trip to Spennymoor Town.

Macclesfield FC, who play in the Northern Premier League, will provide stern opposition for the Seals, with a side packed with National League North experience and favourites for promotion.

THE OPPOSITION

The Silkmen boast a squad with plenty of talent, including former Chester midfielder Elliott Whitehouse, who made the move this summer.

Robbie Savage’s men have also added two forwards who hit doubled figures in terms of goals in the National League North last campaign, as Justin Johnson, previously at Chorley, and Danny Elliott, previously at Scunthorpe United, both made the move to Cheshire.

Another notable name in the squad is Danny Whitehead, who has rejoined the club from AFC Fylde. The 30-year-old was a key member of John Askey’s National League title-winning side in the 2017/18 season.

THE GAFFER

As previously mentioned, former Premier League midfielder Robbie Savage is the boss at the Leasing.com Stadium for the upcoming season.

Savage has been involved at the club since its reformation in 2020 after Macclesfield Town was liquidated and expelled from the National League.

This will be the first campaign that the 49-year-old will be in the dugout, after his appointment in June following the departure of Michael Clegg.

Savage made 346 appearances in the top flight between 1997-2008, featuring for Leicester City, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County.

HISTORY

Macclesfield Town were formed in 1874 and played in the Football League during two spells, between 1997-2012 and 2018-2020, but the club was liquidated and expelled from the National League in 2020 after 147 years of existence due to financial problems.

In October 2020, the stadium, Moss Rose, and all available assets were purchased by Robert Smethurst, and the reformed club announced that they would be playing in the NWCFL Premier Division from the start of the 2021/22 season.

The Silkmen won consecutive titles in their first two campaigns, the aforementioned NWCFL Premier in March 2022 and the NPL Division One West in April 2023, leading them to the NPL Premier Division, where the club remains today.

Last season concluded with play-off final heartbreak for Michael Clegg’s side as they were defeated by Marine, thanks to goals from Finlay Sinclair-Smith and one of our summer signings, Jack Bainbridge.

Match Preview by Tom Bird.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 15:00 at the Leasing.com Stadium on Saturday.

The postcode for the ground is SK11 7SP.

Chester fans will purchase tickets at the club’s reception which will open from early and then gain entry to the stadium via the away turnstiles (2 or 3) which are located at the back of the car park at the North side of the ground.

Turnstiles will be open from 2pm and stewards will be on hand to guide fans to the appropriate areas.