‘Sir John’ has got his men together in time to fulfil his ambition of leading Macclesfield Town into a league campaign.
The Silkmen will be led by Askey and assistant-manager Efe Sodje as they look ahead to Saturday’s curtain-raiser at home to Nuneaton, and he’s put together a more than capable squad.
Askey made no secret of his desire to take over at the Moss Rose once Steve King was dismissed last March and though he’s been entrusted with the reins he’s been forced to work with a slashed budget.
Macc’s summer of discontent has seen board members past and present desperately try to clear debts mounted up and measures taken include the sale of their ground’s leasehold to Cheshire East Council, as well as an unprecedented move to Community Interest Company status.
Meanwhile Askey and Sodje have been shrewdly constructing a squad and with impressive signings in all areas of the pitch the Silkmen are once again ready to battle against the odds.
The bookies make Macc anywhere between 16/1 and 33/1 to land the title while many fans will be satisfied with avoiding the drop into the Conference North.
There’s a positivity surrounding the club, despite the results not always going Macc’s way.
“I’ve had good pre-seasons and I’ve had bad pre-seasons but I can never remember pre-season,” insisted the manager. “The only thing that matters is what we do on Saturday, that’s what we’ve been saying all along.
“The main thing is that we’ve got everybody onto the pitch in pre-season, and everybody is fit apart from?Carl Martin, that was the main aim.”
While he continues his comeback from hernia surgery Martin may be joined on the sidelines by Sodje, who suffered a broken metacarpal in last week’s Bolton friendly.
The centre-back was expected back at the hospital today (Wednesday) to find out if he can play a part against Boro.
One man who surely won’t figure is James Gorfin, the Alderley Edge businessman who paid £10,000 for a spell on the pitch against Stoke last weekend.
While his time as a Silkman was short-lived, the manager remains grateful for the gesture.
“James came in and trained with us and worked really hard in training,” he added. “But the problem is that when you come in and put everything into training as he did – and you’re not used to it – it takes its toll as the week goes on and on Friday he got a groin strain.
“It’s a shame because doing what James has done means a lot to the football club, it’s a great help to myself and Efe in getting players onto the pitch, so we can’t thank him enough really.
“We hope he’s enjoyed his time with us, we liked having him in, it was nice because he showed a really good attitude, he seemed to enjoy it and the players enjoyed having him in. Hopefully he’s had a reallygood experience of what it’s like to be a professional footballer.”
Askey admits he’s always wanted the top job at the club and for years has hankered after the chance to put together his own squad and pit his wits against his divisonal rivals.
And his squad building came on in leaps and bounds last week, with three signing up shortly after full-time against Bolton last Wednesday.
Left-back Danny Andrew, central defender Steve Williams and midfielder Paul?Turnbull all signed deals to stay with the Silkmen.
And as the Express went to press, a deal was being put together to sign up trial goalkeeper Ritchie Branagan.
And Askey hasn’t yet given up on bringing back fans favourite Danny Whitaker, who played twice for his hometown club in pre-season.
“We’re still trying to get a deal done for Danny,” he said. “It would be nice to get him in. Obviously he’s got that local connection but the main thing is that he’s a good player, he’s shown that over the years.
“Whoever he’s played for he’s played a lot of games every season – that’s continued throughout so we know we’d be getting somebody who’s consistent.”
