Survival against the odds

Macclesfield Town v Darlington

Coca-Cola League Two

Saturday September 1st 2007, 3pm

Match action from the 0-0 draw at Macclesfield in September 2007.	© Photographs: Ted Blair/DAFTS.

Macclesfield's perennial battle at the nether regions of the league continued under Paul Ince, despite a lively start. Although he attracted media interest he only secured their league status on the last day of the season. After a slowish start and some unlukcy injuries, Ince's men put a terrific run together, pulled clear and also enjoyed the cash boost of a FA Cup trip to Chelsea. But they sank into trouble again before a nerve-tingling end to the campaign. Ince has now left for MK Dons, leaving Ian Brightwell and Asa Hartford in charge. Man to watch Martin Gritton Well-travelled striker, who missed a fair bit of the last campaign Full match preview on the D@rlo Uncovered website. Prices have been pegged in 2007-2008 season to their already low levels - yes, that's right - it's still only £10 (£7) in the Silkman Terrace or £13 (£10) in the visitors' seating area. U16's pay £5 and under 12s are free. Moss Rose is the cheapest ground in the League. The club has plans to redevelop the away end eventually, and the intitial designs look quite impressive.

Macclesfield Town FC: Moss Rose, London Rd, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 7SP, Tel: 01625 264686 History: Formed in 1874 after being a rugby club for a few years before that. Moved to Moss Rose in 1891 but club went bankrupt in 1897. The ground and eventually name taken over by Hallifield FC in the Manchester League; by the 1930s, they were having success in the Cheshire League. The club reformed after WWII. Reached FA Cup first round in 1960 for first time; in 1962/63 the club set a transfer record which stood 30 years by paying £1,000; same season Johnny Mullington scored eight times v Crewe. In '68, 10,000 travelled to watch Macc play Fulham in the FA Cup - the same year they joined the new Northern League, which they won. After winning the first FA Trophy at Wembley against Telford and another NPL title, decline set in and it wasn't until the 1980s that fortunes improved. In 1987, promotion to the Conference and knocked Carlisle, then Rotherham out of the FA Cup 4-0. Sammy McIlroy became manager in 1993/94 and won title a year later, before winning promotion to the League in 96/97. Went unbeaten following season and promoted to Div 2 as runners-up. Relegated 1998/99 - first in club's history. Record Attendance: 9,008 v Winsford Utd, Cheshire Sen Cup, 4 Feb 1948. Capacity: 6,335 Last season: 22nd Honours: FA Trophy winners, 1970, 1996. Conference champions 1994/1995, 1996/1997. Record victory: 13-0 v Halifax T, Div 3N, 6 Jan 1938 Defeat: 1-13 v Tranmere Rov Reserves, 3 May 1929. Nickname: The Silkmen. Colours: Blue. Manager: Ian Brightwell Chairman: Rob Bickerton Players in: Ryan Cresswell (Sheff Utd, loan), Luke Dimech, Terry Dunfield, Richard Edghill (Bradford), Francis Green (Boston), Michael Husbands (Port Vale), Danny Thomas (Hereford), Simon Wiles (Blackpool, loan) Players out: Kevin McIntyre (Shrewsbury, £50,000), Jim McNulty (Stockport), James Jennings (Altrincham, loan), Andrew Teague (Tamworth, loan), Adam Murray (Oxford), John Murphy, Alan Navarro (MK Dons) Famous fans/players/connections: Peter Davenport (player), Sammy McIlroy (manager). Alan Green (fan, sort of). Click for Streetmap of ground

Junction 19 of the M6, signposted Macclesfield and the A556, half a mile take a left on the A5054 and then the A537 at the Knutsford roundabout. Head for the town centre and towards station, the ground is down the hill from Silk Road, off London Rd. Some organised parking near the ground. If you can get to the ground early, there is free parking right next to the away turnstiles, and you can keep an eye on your motor from the back row of the stand. Macclesfield Radio Cars: 01625 421111/2 Atax 01625 425555 Cab Co: 01625 614666 Darlington FC Supporters Club Coach time 10.30am, £16. Contact: 01325 243911. See Darlington Supporters' Club for more details.

Trains: Moss Rose is 1.5miles from the station, but fairly straightforward, if a bit of a trek. Left out into Sutherland St, left into Mill Street, down into Mill Lane, turn right at junction into Cross Street, past The Albion pub - the ground is a few hundred yards on the right. Buses go from opposite the railway station. TRAIN TIMES (Updated June 2007): Trains: Darlington 09:31-Doncaster (10.28) 10.42-Stockport (11.53) 11.53-arr Macclesfield, 12.15. Duration: 2hr 44mins. Return: 17.32, change at Manchester Piccadilly (18.02), 18.12-York (19.35) 19.52-arr Darlington 20.17. Duration: 2hrs 45mins. Cheapest fare: Saver return: £47.80. Plenty of direct trains from Birmingham New Street 10.20-arr 11.27, return 17.16-18.30 or 17.47-18.58. Saver return £26 or advance returns from £16. London Euston 08.45-arr 10.50. Rtn: A bit tight for 17.16-Stoke (17.38) 17.50-19.39 or direct 18.07-arr 21.49. Saver return £58.70 and advance returns from £25. Sheffield 10.11-10.53 Stockport (11.03) arr 11.14; return 17.32-Stockport (17.46) 17.55 arr 18.35. Saver return £16.90.

Finding a good beer in Macc is not very difficult - you will not be disappointed at the brews on offer, should you need it, there is a local CAMRA list Waters Green Tavern, 96 Waters Green, c200yds from the railway station (Pictured right - walk to the square opposite the railway carpark) First port of call for those who like their ale. The place may look a bit run down from the outside but Brian the landlord normally keeps six non-national brews on tap and they're always in tip-top condition. The food is excellent pub grub too. Click for street map . Railway Tavern, Byrons Lane, just off London Rd. A 10 min walk from the Waters Green (or get a taxi from the station), this is on the left on the way to Moss Rose. More excellent brews are found here and usually some home fans too. The Sun Inn, 45 Mill Lane Popular locals pub with changing real ales, on the main road out from the station towards the ground. Friendly pub, with pool table and TV. DAFTS recommended.Click for Streetmap The Prince of Wales, 33 Roe Street There was a big local campaign to save this 130-year-old pub from the bulldozers, to make way for town centre redevelopments - it's thankfully got a reprieve. Otherwise known as the Porter's Ale House - or just The Porters - this is the local CAMRA town pub of the year 2004, a characterful one-roomed town centre spot.. Deuchers IPA and up to five guest beers. More of a rugby than a football pub, but worth a try for the beers alone. Click for streetmap The nearest pub to the ground is The Golden Lion 98 Moss Lane which welcomes away fans. There are fish and chips on London Road and more choice in Sutherland St and Rivals recommends the chips at The Fiesta at Waters Green near the station. Ian White advises: "Never forget your packed lunch. Despite it's relatively cheap admission charge (as it should be for standing on a lump of concrete), Macc must be the dearest ground in the Third Division for food." Thanks to Ted Blair, Ian White and the Macclesfield official website If you'd like to be e-mailed a regular bulletin with the latest updates on this site - including details of DAFTS members known to be travelling then E-mail DAFTS

Formerly the centre of the English silk industry (and there's a silk museum here to prove it - who's said this isn't educational?). It's also the birthplace of Seventies new wave icon, the late great Ian Curtis, of happy wanderers Joy Division. Macc now seems to be an overspill town for Manchester as the number of MUFC shirts worn at the weekend would suggest. Just north of the town centre is the Chadwick House Hotel, 55 Beech Lane, 01625 615558, while the Smoothound link under Travel Links in the links column takes you to a few B&Bs. There is also a small Travelodge four miles north of the town at Hope garage on the A523 towards Stockport (01625 875292), for around £40 room rate. Rail timetables Virgin Trains GNER National Express Online map Football Hotels/ Hotels/B&Bs Macclesfield Express Surfing there... The best Macc websites are the The official site, much like the Darlo official one and the very detailed Silkweb.com, an excellent Rivals site, which probably has the only pictoral guide to Macclesfield's chip shops in existence - top service! Next away match: Rotherham (Saturday 8th September 3pm)   No responsibility is taken for accuracy, if in doubt check before travelling. Anything worth adding? Please e-mail us any suggestions. Back to index page © DAFTS 2007