Boss upbeat as
MACCLESFIELD Town manager John Askey was chomping at the bit to see his side in action as their pre-season got underway this week.
The Silkmen began their run of friendlies with a trip to Buxton as the Express went to print on Tuesday.
Askey is excited to see how his team performs over the next few weeks, and is urging his players to take everything in their stride.
“The first week back is always special.
“As a player you tend to be nervous on the first day back because you’re meeting new people but from my point of view it’s good to have so many players from last season resigning,” he told the club’s official website.
“We know what we’re getting from them, they’re a good bunch and hopefully they can share the same commitment as they have done for two or three years now and we’ll be looking to try and win things as we do every season.
“Hopefully with a bit of luck and if we keep injury free then we can have a good run at it again.
“We know what we’re getting from the lads, they’re a good bunch. Hopefully they can show the same commitment that they have done for two or three years now.”
One player that is expected to play a big part in pre-season for Macclesfield is winger Jack Mackreth.
He made his return to the Moss Rose earlier this summer after joining from National League rivals Tranmere Rovers, and Askey is glad that he’s back.
“When Jack left he didn’t want to go at the time but circumstances dictated,” he said.
“It’s good to get him back. He’s a good character, he works hard, and he’ll try his best for Macclesfield Town.”
Askey has also revealed that defender Andy Halls will become the new club captain following Paul Turnbull’s departure.
Turnbull left in the summer to join Barrow, but Askey is confident that Halls will be a good leader for his side.
“We could have easily given the captain to one of our experienced players like George Pilkington or John McCombe but we felt it would be better giving it to a younger player to give them some responsibility,” he said.
“Hopefully Andy will develop as a player and improve as a result of this responsibility. That is not to say that other players cannot be leaders on the pitch.”
Meanwhile, Macclesfield have signed another new player after goalkeeper Craig Ross joined on a free transfer from Whitehawk.
Ross has previously played for the England C side and will provide competition to Ritchie Branagan in between the sticks.
Along with his spell at Whitehawk, he has also played for Cambridge United, Hampton & Richmond Borough and Eastbourne Borough during his career.
Meanwhile, Macclesfield have managed to keep yet another of their key players after experienced midfielder Danny Whitaker signed a new contract with the club.
The 35-year-old was one of the Silkmen’s stand out performers last season, making 45 appearances and scoring seven goals.
Last season also saw Whitaker achieve two landmarks with the club, as he made his 300th Macclesfield appearance during an FA Cup win over Alfreton, before then scoring his 50th goal for the Silkmen in a victory over Braintree in April.
The midfielder is currently in his second spell
‘Hopefully, Andy will develop and improve as a result of this responsibility. That is not to say others cannot be leaders on the pitch’
with Macc after he returned to the club in 2013 following a spell at Chesterfield.
In total, Whitaker has made 329 appearances for Macclesfield.