Five deals done as Tim starts to rebuild Silkmen
TIM Flowers’ rebuilding programme at Macclesfield Town began in earnest this week with a series of new signings.
Winger Wilson Carvalho led the way on Monday when he agreed a one-year deal with the Moss Rose club.
And his arrival heralded the start of a busy week for Flowers and his backroom team.
Tenacious 25-year-old central midfielder Liam Nolan also agreed a oneyear deal and was followed through the doors by wideman Chay Tilt while left-back Rocco Fregapane signed his first pro deal with the club.
And on Tuesday afternoon, as the Express went to press, the club announced the arrival of commanding 25-year-old central defender Marvel Ekpiteta on a deal spanning until the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
Capped at under-20 level by Nigeria, Ekpiteta has amassed just under 200 appearances in the non-league game. Twin brother of Blackpool defender Marvin, Marvel began his football career progressing through the youth ranks at both Oxford United and Stevenage.
After spells at several clubs across the nonleague pyramid, he joined Hungerford Town back in 2018. He would go on to make 36 appearances for The Crusaders and his stand-out performances were recognised both by the Bulpit Lane faithful as well as the wider footballing fraternity.
Ekpiteta ended the 2018/19 campaign by claiming Hungerford’s
Player’s Player of the Year, Manager’s Player of the Year and Supporter’s Player of the Year awards - as well as attracting a wealth of interest from EFL clubs who were eager to secure his services.
Ultimately, Newport County would win the race for his signature, as he made the move to Rodney Parade last summer.
In addition to making his professional debut in Newport’s EFL Trophy fixture against West Ham United under-23s, he also gained invaluable experience courtesy of a loan move to Ebbsfleet United last year. He would make twenty appearances for The Reds in total and in addition to being a solid and reliable defender, also weighed in with two goals in the process.
Midfielder Nolan, capped four times by Northern Ireland, is a hard-working play-maker who started his football career in illustrious surroundings at Premier League side, Everton.
The imposing 6ft 3” midfielder then made the move to Crewe Alexandra - where he went on to sign his first professional contract after graduating from the Academy at Gresty Road.
Nolan would make 29 senior appearances for The Railwaymen, before he made the move to Merseyside to join Southport.
During his two-year stay at Haig Avenue, the Liverpudlian made 89 appearances for The Sandgrounders - finding the back of the net on eight occasions.
With several Football League Club’s vying for his signature, Nolan would ultimately opt for a move to Lancashire to join Accrington Stanley in May 2017.
The 2017/18 season proved to be a memorable one for all concerned - with Nolan racking up 35 appearances for Stanley as they sealed the League Two championship and with it, promotion to the third tier.
He made three appearances for Stanley in League One, whilst also enjoying a loan spell at Salford City during their play-off winning campaign of 2018/19.
Last summer saw him make the move to Halifax Town, where he became a crucial part in The Shaymen reaching the National League play-offs.
He would make 27 appearances for the West Yorkshire side - scoring twice during a hugely successful campaign for Pete Wild’s side. Not afraid to stick a boot in, he revels in the defensive side of the game and brings vast experience to the squad as he approaches 200 senior career appearances.
Tilt, meanwhile, is a pacey addition who promises to excite the Silkmen faithful.
Not only can he be employed on either wing, he is also equally at home as an attacking midfielder - supporting the front men in the “number ten” role.
Spending the entirety of his youth career at West Bromwich Albion, Tilt went on to sign first year professional terms at The Hawthorns before moving south to join Queens Park Rangers.
Having been released from Loftus Road last summer, he spent the 2019/20 campaign with Step Three side, Stourbridge.
He made twenty-five starts for The Glassboys - scoring ten goals and provided four assists in the process.
His impressive displays caught the eye of several EFL clubs - which led to a trial at Sky Bet League One side Shrewsbury Town back in January.
Fregapane became the fourth permanent recruit of the Flowers era. He started his career at Huddersfield Town, where he progressed through the ranks before an illustrious move to Manchester United ensued.
Representing the under 15 and under 16 sides at Old Trafford, his undoubted potential was recognised at international level - as he was capped by the same England side that included the likes of Jude Bellingham.
He went on to sign Academy forms with The Silkmen back in 2019 and unquestionably went on to become one of the stand-out performers for Paul McGuire’s side.
Exemplifying a defiance and maturity in his play which are noticeably beyond his years, Fregapane was voted as Academy Player of the Year in his first season at the Club.
In addition to concluding first team terms, the club have also finalised Fregapane’s first professional contract which has been agreed to be signed on his 18th birthday.