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Macc need you!

Marc Iles
23/ 3/2004

MACCLESFIELD Town have made a plea to their loyal fans to back their bid for Football League survival.

Safety in Division Three is back in Macc's hands after back-to-back wins against Swansea City and Kidderminster Harriers, but with five home games to go, club bosses have implored supporters to get down to the Moss Rose and cheer on the Silkmen.

Rochdale, Bristol Rovers and Cambridge United all share 41 points, but the latter two have played one game more than the Silkmen - who are just behind of 38 with superior goal difference.

A loyal group of Macc fans, spurred by a message on the Rivals website, have agreed to meet at the Starr Lane end of the ground to create the most vocal atmosphere possible when Northampton Town visit this Saturday. The fans have vowed to continue their vociferous backing until John Askey's side are safe from the drop. And no-one at the Moss is more appreciative of the work the supporters have put in over recent weeks than Askey himself.

He told us: "Ever since the Huddersfield game when 500 fans turned up, we lost the game but they haven't stopped singing since. From the start of the game against Swansea to the end of the game against Kidderminster they have been superb, and thankfully we have started to repay them with a couple of wins.

"The support has been excellent considering the position we are in. Everyone realises how important it is to stay in the Football League and I can tell them that every effort is being made. A lot of hard work got us where we are and we don't want it to be thrown away now."

Chris Priest will miss the visit of Northampton Town through suspension, picked up after his red card against Huddersfield Town. Matt Carragher is set to return, but George Abbey is doubtful after failing to shake off a knee injury which has forced him to sit out the last three games.

Karl Munroe and Colin Little were transfer listed at their own request on Monday after the duo fell out of favour during recent weeks. Both Munroe and Little's contract runs out in the summer, and Little looks likely to join Halifax Town today (Wednesday) after the Shay club agreed terms with the former Crewe Alexandra man. Munroe is unlikely to leave the club before his contract runs out, admitted Askey.

"Karl just wants his name circulated round for when he leaves the club in the summer. He is needed at the moment as we don't have a lot of cover in his position."

Now Askey is looking to make it three wins out of three on Saturday - and possibly leave the bottom two for the first time since February.

"It's a better feeling around the place, but it's been a long time in coming," he said. "We've just got to keep it going now on Saturday."