TOWN LIFELINE Silkmen docked two points to avoid relegation threat

MACCLESFIELD Town fans breathed a sigh of relief after the club was given a relegation reprieve

but know it cannot now be wasted.

The Silkmen learned on Friday, June 19, that an independent arbitration panel had deducted two points for breaches of English Football League (EFL) regulations.

With League Two now finished and the final standings worked out on a points per game basis, a bigger penalty would have seen Macc Town relegated into non-league football.

Supporters realise this must now be the catalyst for change at the club to avoid further mis-management.

And it was not all good news as the panel also hit cash-strapped Town with a £20,000 fine.

Andy Worth, chairman of the Silkmen Supporters Trust, said: “We are delighted that the sporting integrity of the game has been maintained and relegation will be down to points won rather than off the field issues.

“Having said that we have so many issues going forward and this has to be a watershed moment and things must change.

“We still have many supporters who will not engage with the club while (owner) Amar AlKadhi has anything to do with it.

“We have many issues to think about and things need completely rejuvenating off the pitch with a more robust financial structure that ideally doesn’t have Mr AlKadhi as part of it.”

This was the third points deduction of the 2019-20 season and there is now also a suspended fourpoint deduction hanging over the Silkmen.

The club has repeatedly run into trouble for failing to pay player wages on time and also for not being able to fulfil home games against Crewe and Plymouth.

Many fans blame Mr AlKadhi for the problems and are desperate to see him ousted with businessman Joe Sealey still reportedly interested in taking over.

It is thought the Silkmen retaining league status – their final position was 23rd – is key to Mr Sealey’s intentions.

Macclesfield MP David Rutley, who has worked with the supporters trust, was among those urging Mr AlKadhi to move aside.

He said: “There must be a new approach to governance at the club with a new independent and experienced chairman being put in place.

“In addition, there needs to be an active board with relevant and complementary skills that can drive the club forward, control finances, hold the executive team to account and effectively engage with supporters and the community.”

A Macclesfield Town spokesman said: “We would like to express our gratitude to the independent arbitration panel for t their unquestionable diligence, in reaching what we deem to be a fair and unbiased conclusion.

“Finally, we would like t to express our heartfelt gratitude to (ex-chairm man) Mark Blower for his counsel and unwavering support throughout the duration of this matter.”

The club also appeared at a High Court hearing on Wednesday, June 17, to face a winding up petition from HMRC.

The matter was adjourned yet again, this t time until September 9.