Efe Sodje is staying in his post as Macclesfield’s assistant manager.

John Askey’s right-hand man had been informed he wasn’t being kept on, despite boss Askey agreeing a rolling contract with owner Amar Alkadhi.

Askey had been told that this season’s budget didn’t allow for him to retain Sodje, 41.

The Nigerian international, who scored Macc’s first Football League goal back in 1997, began the last campaign in the playing ranks but after half-a-dozen early-season games stayed on the touchline.

John Askey
 

“Thankfully, people have sat down and talked it through,” said Askey. “I’m really pleased Efe’s kept his job – to do it on my own would have been just about impossible.

“We worked well together last year and we need some continuity at the club, instead of the chopping and changing we’ve seen recently.

“It’s Efe’s livelihood and it’s so good to have him on board again. He is worth a lot more than just his coaching, he brings in a lot of sponsorship money, which helped to keep the club going last year too. I know I need someone like him with me and I’m happy he’ll be around again. We’re getting round to the football side of things now and we can be more positive about our progress.”

Askey’s squad is now starting to come together, with Paul Turnbull and George Pilkington returning (see page 67), and Andy Halls, Danny Whitaker and Chris Holroyd about to sign up too.

The boss admits that nabbing Connor Jennings may be unlikely though, as a number of Football League clubs are in the hunt for the 22-year-old striker’s signature.

The current squad – plus ‘more trialists than I can remember’ according to Askey – are reporting for the first day of pre-season training tomorrow (Thursday) and Askey admits he’s looking for more than sheer footballing ability in order to get the most out of his limited budget.

“It might all come together late in the summer,” he added. “We’re getting good pros and good people in, players that have character and spirit about them.”

THE 2014/15 Conference fixtures are released this week. The fixtures will be available from 3pm on Friday (July 4).