Macclesfield Town have been plunged into turmoil after a boardroom revolt over the appointment of a new manager.

Steve King was unveiled as the Silkmen’s new boss on Monday, against the wishes of the club’s board.

That prompted vice-chairman Andy Scott to stand down, with chairman Mike Rance and directors Barrie Darcey and Jeremy Turner set to follow suit shortly.

The bombshell comes on the back of a disappointing season which saw the team relegated from the Football League.

Brian Horton, who took over as manager after Gary Simpson was sacked in March, left after the 2-0 defeat in their penultimate game against Burton Albion, which sealed the team’s fate.

The Express understands Mr Rance and the directors wanted Kidderminster boss and former Town striker, Steve Burr to take over. The club received more than 50 applications for the post and whittled it down to a shortlist of six, believed to have included club legend John Askey and former Oldham boss Mick Wadsworth, as well as King and Burr.

But despite overwhelming fans’ support for Burr, the board were overruled by the owners Bashar and Amar Alkadhi, who insisted on appointing former Lewes and Northwich boss King.

The Iraqi businessmen based in London, bought Macc Town in 2003 saving it from extinction but have since entrusted the day-to-day running of the Moss Rose to Mr Rance and the board.

In a statement on the club’s website announcing King’s appointment, Amar Alkadhi said: "This is the first time I’ve been in a position to have a direct influence on who should lead my club.

"We had plenty of options but this time I wanted to do something new and exciting.

Steve King is a young, hungry manager with real ambition and a reputation for playing fast, flowing football."

The Express was last night unable to contact Mr Rance but in a club statement said he ‘totally understood’ Mr Scott’s decision to quit and said he would shortly be doing the same.

He said: "I’ve spent four challenging years as chairman of my local football club in an unpaid capacity and it’s been a privilege to have that opportunity.

"But we’re entering a new era at the Moss Rose and it’s a good time for someone new to take over. In the short-term there is a lot of work to be done.

Me and my fellow directors intend to make sure the club is in good order before handing over the reins."

Jon Smart, chairman of the Silkmen Supporters’ Trust, said the walk-out left the club facing an uncertain future.

An estimated 100 fans turned up to a trust meeting held at the Golden Lion pub on the Moss estate on Monday night where emotions ran high.

"We are seriously, seriously concerned," said Mr Smart. "There is now going to be a massive vacuum in the day-to-day running of the club.

"Mike Rance and the board are honourable, decent men with the best interests of the club at heart. So for them to walk, they must be seriously unhappy.

"We want a statement of intent from the owners about what they are trying to do.

The fear is that after getting relegated the whole thing is going to collapse in on itself."

The trust says it is now working to increase its membership and will act as a pressure group on the club’s owners if need be.

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