With survival guaranteed for Macclesfield Town, the thoughts of newly-installed manager Gary Simpson are turning to next season.

‘Simmo’ signed a two-year deal to officially succeed the late Keith Alexander last week, and Saturday’s victory over Chesterfield made certain that league football will once again be taking place at Macc in 2010/11.

There’s no doubt that Simpson – like everyone connected with Macclesfield Town – has been through a hugely traumatic time in the wake of his dear friend’s passing. But now, with stability and security slowly returning to Macc, the smile is also coming back to the new manager’s face.

"It’s a relief, without a shadow of a doubt," he said. "That’s what we set out to do, with everything that’s happened, it was important not to let the club slide out of the division, we were determined that wouldn’t happen.

"These lads have been fantastic this season, and there’ll definitely be a party mood at Torquay [who the Silkmen face this weekend], we’ll have a few days down there and have a good night out after the game."

And, once the dust settles on a season that’s been unforgettable for so many reasons – good and bad – Simpson will turn his attentions to changes needed to the squad, as well as recruiting an assistant to ease his personal workload. "I thought I’d be better running things on my own for now, I didn’t want a new influence disrupting things but with reserve team games and scouting, as well as everything else there is to do, I’m speaking to a few people now."

With 21 points from his 11 games in charge, Simpson is well aware that bigger-hitters, both in this league and higher up, may try to tempt some of his key players away, but vowed: "We try to sell what we can offer players. Me and the gaffer only used to get jobs where there was no money to spend but even though these players have really gelled, you can’t spend team spirit when you go to the supermarket.

"We just have to let players know that, it’s always nice to have more money but maybe being here is the best thing for their career."