IT’S SEALEY... WITH A SAVE
Dad Les was a hero for United on the pitch... now his lad Joe is trying be one off it by r escuing Macclesfield
JOE SEALEY has had to place the autobiography of his dad Les – the madcap former Manchester United goalkeeper – on hold as he tries to rescue local crisis club Macclesfield Town.
Businessman Joe was on West Ham’s books as a promising stopper.
But he believes that his best-ever save would be securing the impoverished League Two side’s future.
Unpaid wages and mounting debts leave the club, which just avoided falling out of the Football League in May under Sol Campbell, in danger of folding.
A winding up petition has been suspended until next month.
Remarkable
It is why the present, and not the past, is first on the hectic agenda of someone whose love for Manchester United has never waned since the day his father helped the then unknighted Alex Ferguson win his first trophy at Old Trafford.
The gamble of replacing Scotland international Jim Leighton with back-up keeper Les for the 1990 FA Cup Final replay came off as United triumphed over Crystal Palace to set the ball rolling on Ferguson’s glorious reign.
Sadly, Les died from a heart attack at the age of 43, but, unbeknown to the family, he had written t he s t ory of an incident-packed career.
Joe explained: “One day I was watching my son play in a Manchester United junior side, and spotted Les Clitheroe – my Sunday football team manager when I was 10.
“He told me that he had my dad’s book. I didn’t even know he had done one.
“The book was on a word processor so I’ve now got one copy printed. I’ve got to retype it and sort it all out, but
I’d love to do it and publish it – I’ve read d it and it really is sa a great book.
“My dad had a great career, especially late te on.
“He joined ned Manchester United ed at the age of 32 and helped elped them win the FA Cup and the European Cup
Winners’ Cup.
“He went off to
Aston Villa, was brought back by Alex
Ferguson and, as No.2 to Peter Schmeichel, l, won two Premier Leagues, agues, another FA Cup and nd a few Charity Shields.
“He was then in n his mid to late- 30s, which ch was remarkable.
“Dad was taken far too soon.”
Right now, though, gh, it’s all about attempting to keep Macclesfield alive and Joe has met with current owner Amar Alkadhi to try to do a deal.
But, even from outside the Moss Rose boardroom, Joe – who owns a chain of luxury gyms – has been helping out financially.
He said: “Since I got involved in being one of their sponsors a few years back, 49 other sponsors have left – that’s 49 local businesses turning their backs on Macclesfiel Macclesfield Town.
“That’s got to equate to around £2 £200,000, which I believe I could ge get back.
“I’m alre already in the background lining up a number to return once we get the keys to the place.
“I’m trying to help out the player players – making sure they have f food at training.
“I’ I’ve put in a physio, becau because they haven’t got one t to assist the lads, bits and pi pieces like that.
“I p put drinks on for the player players after the game on a Satur Saturday. There’s no point me going into a bad atm atmosphere.
“It all comes out of m my pocket, but I’m OK with that.
“I don’t want to w walk into a club that is lo l osing every game because the environment they work in is rotten.” Sealey believes that time is running out if his offer to take over the club is rejected.
“How long can this be allowed to go on?
“You’ve got December coming up and these players have families and if you don’t get paid with Christmas around the corner you’ve got problems,” he said.
“For instance, the companies I own we pay on December 1 and then again on December 20 so that my staff have money for Christmas.
“Many of these Macclesfield players have young kids so it could be a really hard time for them.
“Now it’s all on to avoid relegation, but if I can get hold of the club now, we can achieve that.
Atmosphere
“The financial difference between League Two and the National League is massive.
“I’ve told the owner that if they go down under him, then I am not his man. I need that club now.
“I’m trying to create a better atmosphere.
“I’ve also said that the moment I walk in the players will be paid on the fifth of the month.
“Get a bit of love in the town and the club will be bouncing again. No town wants to lose a football club.
“I’ll be gutted if we are not given a chance.”
Like father, like son – always prepared to defy the odds.