Two Robbies stars of a hit Saturday show
GREETINGS to all my magnificent Maxonians.
Saturday afternoon was always an exciting time in our house when I was a young boy.
My dad was an ardent Man United Supporter and my allegiance was to Man City so every Saturday afternoon we had a big game to attend together.
That’s where I learned to appreciate good football and not become one of those fans who supported one team and hated all the others.
When City and Utd were both playing away we went to Hyde United.
Earlier this year my friend Brian (he of the famous false teeth) suggested I go with him to watch the newly-formed Macclesfield FC.
I tagged along for a couple of games then bought myself a season ticket.
I pass the ground almost every day and was impressed by the transformation of the site from a decaying eye-sore to a sparkling new stadium with a very good hospitality suite and brilliant opportunities for kids to join one of the many academy teams.
I felt very lucky to have such a smart, welcoming local team on my doorstep.
I never anticipated what was to follow.
Club directors Robbie Savage and Rob Smethhurst faced the daunting task of rebuilding the stadium, replacing the pitch and with six weeks to go before the start of the season didn’t even have a team.
With the help of team manager Danny Whitaker and an army of volunteers a miracle unfolded.
The old Macclesfield Town football club, left to dwindle and die had been lucky see 1,100 fans at home games.
Suddenly, the newly formed Macclesfield FC were drawing 3,000 in a significantly lower division. Clearly the passion and ambition of the Two Robbies was contagious.
If you didn’t see the TV documentary Robbie Savage: Making Macclesfield FC watch it now on You Tube.
There is a real sense of community spirit in this mammoth local project.
Last Saturday Macclesfield broke the record for the highest attendance at any North West Counties game with a massive 4,605 supporters.
I sat, stood and shouted with the rest of the crowd as Macc FC beat Ashton Athletic 4-0 to win the North West Counties
League with three games to spare.
It was a spectacular finish to an astonishing turnaround and the lap of honour that followed was a sight of real joy as young and old cheered sang and wept with sheer emotion.
The Two Robbies made sure all the kids got special attention and along with Big Jim the groundsman paraded around the pitch while fans shot a thousand ‘selfies.’
For me (a newcomer) I was delighted to witness this fantastic success story and will be at the front of the queue to purchase my season ticket for the coming season. This wasn’t just a triumph for two committed individuals it was just reward for an entire community.
Let’s all enjoy it.