The good times are returning to Macclesfield Town as the fight for survival goes on.
Sunday’s Silkmen Legends v Premier Allstars event may have been affected by the weather but those who turned out didn’t let the rain dampen their spirits.
More than a thousand enjoyed their trip down memory lane as the likes of Steve Burr, Jon Parkin, Neil Sorvel, Steve Payne and Phil Power put the Allstars to the sword.
The event – which saw nearly two dozen of the greats from Macc’s ‘golden age’ return to the Moss Rose – raised a little more than £20,000 before matchday running costs.
Boss John Askey was delighted by the response from people who hold the club closely to their hearts but just as vital is the welcome shot in the arm for the ongoing rescue bid.
Associate director Andy Scott says there’s still a long way to go to stay in business. He told the Express: “The shocking weather was a potential disaster.
“We imagine we could have seen another five or six hundred turn out otherwise, but it was a fantastic day and brilliant to see all the old faces together, especially Steve Burr.
“It was a day that will stay in people’s minds for a long time, espcecially his goal. I had a drink with him in the bar afterwards and all he did was go on and on about his goal – you can’t keep a good goalscorer down, I suppose.”
Helping the cause was the regular army of turnstile operators, kiosk and bar staff, 50-50 and programme sellers who worked for free, as did many of the stewards. And Scott, who’s rejoined the club in the short-term, is also grateful to Steve Watson, who toiled away to put together the Allstars team.
“Steve was let down late in the day by a lot of high-profile players who’d agreed to turn out, but he had worked tirelessly, we’re gratfeul to him, he deserves a huge pat on the back.
“John and Efe (Sodje) put the hours in too, there are many people who’ve done so much to make it a successful, enjoyable day.
“John did say to me afterwards ‘even if we’d not made any money we’re getting back to the old-fashioned Silkmen – that feeling is returning to the club’.
“He said we’ve taken massive steps to getting our club back, and the ‘feelgood’ factor is returning, with the players spending time chatting with the fans in the packed-out bar; the old players were loving it too – there’s undoubtedly a special affinity they have with the club.
“While all this is true and the cash will go some way to the total we’re trying to raise, we do have to keep plugging away.
“We’ve pulled in a big chunk of cash that will go towards the target we have to hit before Christmas but we’ve still got one hell of a job to do to make up the shortfall.”
Back in competitive action, Macc host Southport tomorrow night (Thursday) hoping to get their sixth win in seven games.
