SOME of the biggest stars in football flocked to the Moss Rose to help Macclesfield raise é50,000 on a joyous night for the Cheshire club.

Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola and former Manchester United favourites Mark Hughes and Bryan Robson were among a host of top names who who agreed to play in the fundraiser last night (Tuesday).

The superstars answered the Silkmenés SOS call after the League Two outfit were ordered to pay more than é250,000 by the Football Association for irregularities relating to the building of the McAlpine Stand by January 31, a deadline which the FA has since deferred.

And on a magnificent night for Macclesfield Town, and football in general, a crowd of nearly 4,500 fans braved the elements to see the All Stars take on a Macclesfield Legends team, which included heroes from Townés 1997 promotion-winning side and a sprinkling of first-team players.

But it was Zola who was the star attraction on his return to English football, prompting the national media to descend on Moss Rose in their droves, while Chelsea TV broadcast the game live.

"To be honest I had never heard of Macclesfield before," said Zola, who showed he had lost none of his ability with a classy double. "I knew it was a small town and a small club, but with big, big problems. But for me ités a chance to help and also to play a game in this country again - a country which I really love."

But even the little maestro could not prevent the Silkmen legends running out popular winners. Rae Ingram cancelled out Zolaés opener before ex-Chelsea man Gus Poyet put past his goalkeeper. Phil Power, the Macclesfield Express Man of the Match, and Andrew Smart increased the hostsé lead and, although Zola pulled one back from the penalty spot, Smart added a fifth late on.

"There were so many stars in that dressing room that you would need to refill your pen to write them all down," said West Brom manager Bryan Robson.

But one of the most fitting tributes came from former Macc boss Sammy McIlroy, who took charge and played for the Legends. He said: "There were many fantastic stars in their dressing room, but lets not forget the players in the other dressing room who are stars to me. These are men who have have won two promotions and an FA Trophy for this club. The spirit among the Macc players was unbelievable."

Silkmen owner Bashar Alkhadi was delighted with the response. He said: "It shows the football world are one big family. The éAll-Starsé are the older brothers and theyéve come out to support their younger brothers."

MACCLESFIELD TOWN XI: Price, Ingram, Howarth, Edey, Lyons, Tinson, McIlroy, Bradshaw, Askey, Power, Barker. Subs: Sodje, Brightwell, Lee, Smart, Miles, Townson, Briscoe, Morgan, McDonald. Macclesfield Express man of the match: Phil Power

WORLD XI: Hitchcock, Anderson, Festa, Gillespie, Taricco, Poyet, Robson, Karembeu, Le Saux, Zola, Hughes. Subs: Speedie, Palmer, Williams, Staunton, Brown, Connolly, Spencer.

Attendance: 4,377.