Askey accolade for all at Macc
HAVING been awarded the Freedom of the Town for his accomplishments at Macclesfield Town, Silkmen chief John Askey insists the accolade should reflect the club’s contribution to the community.
Askey will become an honorary freeman of Macclesfield in a title bestowed by Macclesfield Town Council in recognistion of his contribution both as a player and manager at the Moss Rose.
“I’m very proud, very surprised and very pleased. It’s been a fantastic season and this caps it off. I’m so grateful,” said Askey. “It’s been great to hear from so many people who are pleased for me and it’s been that way throughout the season with people wishing us well. It’s not only for myself, it’s for the football club.
“Over the years the club has done the town proud and hopefully me receiving this will give the club more acknowledgement.
“Everyone is thinking forward to the start of next season and to get back to playing on grass every week and get away from the plastic league, as I call it!
“To play at proper grounds like Port Vale, Crewe and the like, there’s a lot to look forward to.
“Hopefully we can compete this season, do our- selves justice and see where that takes us.”
Macc’s success under Askey’s management has coincided with some difficult times for the club, but he insists that makes the good times all the better.
“When I took over in 2013 it was a difficult time and since then we’ve had some great times,” he said. “Sheffield Wednesday away, the cup runs – I think getting to Wembley last season was a big turning point for myself and that enabled us this year to go on and win the league. So although there has been tough times in the last five years, we’ve had a lot to cheer about.
“If you are winning things every week it can become boring, but it’s never boring at Macc! To see so many people I know be so happy at the end of this season, you can’t buy that, there’s nothing better.
“I’ve just enjoyed the whole experience of playing at Macclesfield, from the first time I played here it felt special.
“Obviously the promotions are a stand-out feature, firstly as a player and now as a manager.
“Going to Wembley as well – everything that everyone else connected to Macclesfield has enjoyed, I’ve enjoyed the same.
“It’s been a privilege to have been at the club for 17 years.”
And Askey is calling for unity among the Macc contingent in their continuing push to get the people of the town behind the team.
“We’re always trying to get togetherness at the club – it hasn’t always been easy – but whoever comes through that turnstile at the club should be made to feel welcome, because nobody has to come.
“If everybody makes people feel welcome then we won’t go far wrong, whether that’s the manager of the club, players, chairman or owner, staff who work there, we should all encourage people to get along and support the team.”