Askey thanks supporters for role in club’s survival

JOHN Askey paid tribute to the people of Macclesfield for their support during the FA Cup clash with Oxford United on Friday.

The Silkmen drew 0-0 with their League One opponents at the Moss Rose on Friday, meaning the two teams will have a replay.

A bumper crowd turned up to watch Macc, and Askey has thanked them for getting behind the side.

“We haven’t had a crowd like that for years, so it was a special night for the fans,” he told the club’s official website.

“I think this year people have got behind the club more than they have done over previous years – it’s terrific, and nights like that encourage more people to come.

“When I took over we were about £500,000 in debt with very little money coming in.

“It’s only the fact that we’ve done well on the pitch with cup runs and the people who come here and support the club, we have survived and we’re trying to push on.

“It was a bonus to have it on the TV as I thought it was a good spectacle; it might have finished 0-0 but it was a very entertaining game.

“It’s great to see our name in the draw for the next round, and it keeps the buzz around the town for a bit longer so hopefully we can cause an upset away from home.

“We did it against Walsall in the first round so there’s no reason why we can’t do it again.”