HE’LL allow himself a muted celebration on Christmas Day but it’s all about taking care of business for Adriano Moke.
The winger, whose pace and touch make him one of the men defenders most hate to face, is already looking beyond the big day for a huge task, at home to Grimsby Town.
The Boxing Day fixture, in which the second-placed Silkmen will host a team two places and four points behind, is sure to test Moke and co to the limit – but he’s relishing the prospect.
“I’ll probably be tucked up in bed early on Christmas Day,” said one of John Askey’s most eye-catching summer signings. “I’ll get my head down in good time to prepare for Grimsby, that will probably be a tough game, one of the hardest of the season.
“But I’m really looking forward to it, football is all about testing yourself as an individual and as a team against these quality teams.
“As far as Macclesfield goes I still look at it as a Football League club, I’m focusing on the play-offs and aiming for the top of the league – we’re going for it, why not? A lot of people can doubt us but inside the club we’re confident and it’s a good place to be.”
With youth training at Manchester United, Leeds and Nottingham Forest on his CV his pedigree must be among the highest in the Conference. Also a graduate of Glenn Hoddle’s academy in Spain Moke, 24, has tasted Conference promotion before, with the 2011/12 York City team that also picked up the FA Trophy in the same season that Macc were slipping through League Two’s trapdoor.
After a switch to Cambridge and spells with Tamworth and Halifax, where another promotion came his way, he made the short journey to the Moss Rose from Stockport after what he admits wasn’t his happiest season last time out.
“It was a big wake-up call adjusting to part-time football and chasing that chance to go full-time again,” he recalls. “I hope Stockport do well in the future, it’s a big, famous club and I wish them well.”
When his confidence is high he’s got defenders guessing but there have been times when the guesswork in his own life has affected him gravely.
In a time when mental health issues remain something of a taboo, particularly for those in the public eye, he bravely spoke out about his off-field battles – depression has blighted his life in recent years.
The uncertainty of life as a lower and non-league footballer may be considered part and parcel of such a career but for now Macc fans can get used to his bright, wide smile.
“I’m loving it here, life’s good,” he beamed. “The team spirit is really strong, I have to admit last year wasn’t my best one, but I’m grateful to the gaffer and (Efe) Sodje for bringing me in here. Hopefully I can carry on performing and we can push on as a team.
“Against Alfreton that was the best performance we’ve put in for a while, definitely, since I’ve been here anyway, it shows that if we work hard we look good. The harder we work the better we play, it’s been a really good performance, especially after we’d gone behind.
“I speak to the gaffer about how he thinks I’m doing and he said there are going to be times when I’m not getting the ball so I have to do the work for the team.
“I’d say that’s the big thing I’ve learned while I’ve been playing at Macclesfield.
“As I say, I’m really happy with the win and with my performance so hopefully we can keep it going.”
