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A (relieved) fan’s view

Bob Trafford
9/ 5/2007

AFTER a long and traumatic season, you would have been a fool to assume that the last game was going to pass without one last sting in its tail.

With one eye on the match and another on my mobile phone checking the score at Wrexham, I'm glad that I did not have to write the match report.

John Miles seemed to have booked his place in Silkmen history when his cool finish sent the Moss Rose crowd into delirium but, moments after Notts County's equaliser, and with the away side pressing, Boston took the lead.

Suddenly, one goal for Notts County could have sent the Silkmen down and the fingernails became subject for an unprecedented attack.

Tommy Lee made some fabulous saves to avoid a final day defeat, but as news filtered through that Wrexham had drawn level and then took the lead, the number of people disappearing to the toilets gradually reduced.

The party was back on track and, with just minutes of the season remaining, the guest of honour took to the field to be greeted by a jubilant home crowd.

Wrexham by now had extended their lead and Paul Ince's booking, seconds after he arrived on the pitch, was greeted by cheers from those who had seen the greatest of escapes now complete.

Nobody gave us any chance of survival and to hear the final whistle ranked as one of the best feelings I have ever experienced as a Macc fan.

This ranked as highly as the FA Trophy final victory and promotion to the Football League, in fact you could say that Macc had been promoted, as the whole country managed to convince themselves that we were a team destined for the Conference.

As we partied into the night, there was no room to dwell on what may or may not happen next season, the day that we defied all the odds and survived in the Football League for the tenth season was well and truly savoured.

Ince and Mathias have worked nothing short of miracles since they took over and, on behalf of all the fans, I would like to express our thanks and eternal gratitude.

Roll on August.