Right mix is crucial for Macc says Band
PETER Band is helping Macclesfield FC manager Danny Whitaker find the right blend of footballers who can play the beautiful game – and mix it up when the going gets tough.
And Macc’s assistant manager is expecting things to get tough for the Silkmen whenever they take to the road in whatever league the club is assigned to.
Bandi reckons there will be a stark contrast between the plush surroundings of the Leasing. com Stadium with it’s pristine 4G playing surface and some of the grounds Macc visit once the 2021/33 season gets under way.
Finding the right mix of players who can adapt to both settings is the task for Whitaker and his backroom team.
“The surroundings (at Macc) are great, but it’s when we go away from home that we’ll find out what the players are made of because for most teams we play, we are going to be their cup final,” Band told Silk 106.9.
“Danny and myself have to put together a team that is prepared to roll their sleeves up on a Tuesday night away from home on tighter, bobbly pitches. We have to get the right blend that can play the nice football but also roll their sleeves up on a rainy, windy Tuesday night or Saturday.”
The recruitment drive is already under way at the
Moss Rose, with the club setting up trial games and friendlies and invites going out to potential new signings.
“We’re seeing or speaking to players every day, we’re going to be having trial games from the 24th of April every Saturday but pre-season will start on the 22nd of June,” said Band.
“Myself and Danny will be speaking to more and more players over the next week or two and getting friendlies set up, get players down to have a look at it games and hopefully pick one or two gems up. It’s exciting times – we’re just waiting on the FA to tell us which league we are going to be in which could be North West Counties or Northern Premier League. All the paperwork is in, we’re just waiting for the league to get back to the club so we know which one we’re going in.”
Band played around 1,000 games for the likes of Hyde, Altrincham and Northwich during his playing career, and while he is probably best remembered for his time as a defender, it wasn’t the only position he played.
So when it comes to coaching for Whitaker, he’s happy to pitch in wherver the manager wants him.
“I’ll coach wherever Danny needs me,” he said. “I went to Hyde as a centre forward, played midfield for Altrincham and played centre half later on in my career! We want to get the ball down playing . The pitch is going to be a couple of yards wider so we can get it down and play attractive football that the fans can enjoy and then mix it up for away games because not every ground is going to be the same as the pitch up at Macc.
“I just want to knuckle down now and help Dan get the team back where it should be. “You’ve seen what the chairman, Robbie and Dan and everyone local, helping out - Macclesfield as a town are getting their club back.
“Every time you go up to the ground, something has changed, something’s different and every time you go it’s a bigger buzz because it’s getting closer to being finished.”
‘It’s when we go away from home we’ll find out what the players are made of’