No danger of Steve hanging up his boots
PROFILE this week is one of the most charismatic and vocal players at Macclesfield. Prop Forward Steve Mannion played for the Club from when he joined at age
13, 40 years ago, and recently started again, now playing regularly in the fourth team. He’s a Macclesfield boy, went to All Hallowes, then not a rugby school, so everything he knows about the game he’s learnt coming up through the sides at MRUFC.
Playing Colts rugby for three years, itself rather unusual, and as Captain, during which time they won the Cheshire Cup twice, he actually played Stags rugby at age 15; graduating quickly up to the 1st team where he played 350 games over 14 seasons. If he keeps it up his name should appear on our Honours’ board for 500 senior matches.
The best player he’s ever played with was Dave Cusani during his 2 years with us, in Manny’s words a wonderful player and a great leader. The highlight of his career was in 2002 when he played for Cheshire in the County Championship final on the hallowed turf at Twickenham with fellow Macclesfield men Jeremy Bostock, Scott Goodfellow and ‘Fred’ Taylor.
He had two seasons at West
Park St Helens and was again Captain, playing with ex England international Nigel Heslop and a few other ex Orrell men. It was an eye opener within the heart of the rugby league code; Steve said their attitude and professionalism was way out in front of the rest of rugby union’s at the time.
Moving back to Macclesfield he was invited by player/ teachers at Kings School, Mark Harboard and Tony Brown to coach their forwards, this was an introduction to coaching which he loves so much he’s taken these skills into our neighbouring clubs.
Living now in Bramhall his sons have joined their local side Stockport who tempted Mannion to coach their juniors, he says it also helps his fitness levels.
Then Wilmslow invited him to become their player coach and he moved there for two seasons.
He’s happy to copy the methods of Steve Rule who he says is the best coach he’s ever played for whilst the best captain was fellow prop Matt Harding who skippered a very successful team full of characters into a promotion winning side.
He loves touring and has been on the last six social tours, he’s hoping in spite of the virus, that this year’s tour to Majorca won’t be cancelled. In the meantime keeping up the plumbing business, such a physical job really helps with his strength, fitness and agility.
Manny is father of five; ages 5 to 28, and his ambition is to play alongside his youngest son in senior rugby, so that’s another 13 more seasons!