While Macclesfield Town players may be dreading the start of pre-sesason training for the start of the League Two season a cup-winning goalkeeper is relishing the chance to get back into action on the continent.

Matt Towns was the Silkmen’s second-string keeper under Keith Alexander but couldn’t dislodge Jonny Brain as the club’s number one number one.

But via spells at Prestatyn Town and Droylsden, Malta-based ‘Townsey’ is now the proud owner of a cup winner’s medal from his current club Floriana’s 1-0 win over Valletta last month and will be vying for the starting spot between the posts as Floriana embark on the challenges of the Europa League.

It’s a world away from east Cheshire and the Maxonian, pictured above ahead of a game for the Greens, has returned to Malta for training ahead of the new league campaign.

"In pre-season last year my agent got in touch and advised me to go for a week’s trial,"he told the Express.

"The club president then got back in touch and I’ve now signed a 12-month deal with an option for another year after that.

"I’ve gone from playing in front of crowds of about 200 to playing in front of somewhere between five and eight thousand people.

"I’m grateful to Macc Town for giving me a chance, Keith Alexander was good to me and he’s always in the back of my mind when I look at how far I’ve come.

"I’ll never forget what Keith did for my career, and (goalkeeping coach) Steve Cherry was another big influence at the club, I still keep in touch with him."

Matt has now returned to the island and admits he isn’t too disappointed to be leaving the English summer behind.

"The lifestyle over there is great," the 28-year-old former Fallibroome High School pupil continued. "We train full-time but in the evenings because of the temperature over there.

"The style of play is very similar to in England, there are a lot of decent footballers there, especially Brazilians, and the pace of the game is high, especially in the final third of the pitch.

"I still keep an eye out for Macc’s results, they’re my hometown team and I’m a big believer in supporting your local team.

"This last month has been the first chance I’ve had since February to come back, I miss my family and friends but it’s a small price to pay to be able to live your dream."

That dream included a heroes’ welcome for the Greens after their cup final win over their local rivals in the Maltese FA Cup final in the National Stadium.

Towns added: "Premier League games there are like big live events and after we won the cup we had a big open-top bus parade.

"It was bedlam, there were fans everywhere, waving flags, dancing and playing music.

"It was brilliant."