Rocco’s flying flag for Macc Academy
NEW Macclesfield manager Tim Flowers has underlined the importance of utilising the club’s youth programme going forward.
Academy Player of the Year Rocco Fregapane made the step up to the first team last week, and Flowers is looking forward to working with the young left back this season.
“Rocco has got pedigree,” he said.
“He came through at Man United, so he was very involved there as a very young lad.
“With the size of our football club, if you are producing players through your youth and academy system then that has got to be the way forward.”
Fregapane has been on the new Manager’s radar since his first day at the Moss Rose, with Fregapane being held in high regard by our EDS coaches.
“I was told when I first walked through the door that he has got a lot of potential; a lot of people were glowing about him in terms of almost being in and around a first team group. He has been in training with us every day, more or less, since we have been in.”
With a number of friendly games scheduled in the coming weeks, Flowers is keen to watch Fregapane in a match environment and will hand the youngster game Flowerse in order to evaluate him fully.
“We have got three games coming up next week so again he will be involved, and we will slowly drip him in and have a look at him,” Flowers said.
Using Fregapane as an example to others in the Clubs’ youth programme, Flowers spoke of the benefits and importance of producing players from within going forward.
“If a lad like him comes to the party and he is in amongst the first team squad then we have produced him for free, the next thing is to develop him.
“We either get many years and the fans a lot of joy watching him play, or he moves on and makes a fortune for the club; either way it is a win-win for the football club.”
Meanwhile, new arrival Lewis Wilson is hoping to get Macclesfield Town fans on the edge of their seats this season as he became the Silkmen’s seventh summer signing.
“I’m very excited to be here,” declared Lewis,
“I’ve already had a few days training under my belt but I’m ready to get going. I’ve met the backroom staff and the players earlier this week and they were all very welcoming.”
“They’re hard workers so training has been tough, but we’ve had an inhouse game today and everyone’s application was top notch. There’s a great vibe amongst us, we’re all laughing and joking with each other. It’s the perfect environment that will help us to prepare for a good season.”
The 27 year-old boasts the rare feat of playing in attack, midfield and defence throughout his career.
However, it was at Northampton Town, where Lewis and Tim worked together previously, that he began his evolution into a full-back.
He said: “I played striker for most of my early years, it wasn’t until last year that I started getting moved around quite a lot. I’ve always been an outand-out striker or wide midfielder.”
“I think it was at Northampton, where I worked with Tim before, where I made a couple of appearances as a right back but a lot of the time I played either centre midfield or up top.”
“I’ve been signed here as a full back but if I get chances further up the pitch then I’m quite comfortable to play there. My eye for goal is still there so hopefully I’ll be able to put the chances away if the opportunity comes knocking.”
Lewis’ experience putting the ball in the net isn’t wasted at full back though; with surging runs from deep he hopes he can excite the Macclesfield fans with some strong performances this campaign.
“Last year I started to tick all the boxes that the coaches wanted to see in their full backs; attacking, lots of energy, a decent throw and getting up and down the pitch.
“I can promise the Macclesfield fans they’ll see that this season. Personally, I’ll be playing to prove to myself that I can play at this level but I hope for the club and all the fans that we have a good season together.”