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Chairman admits club’s lowest ebb

28/ 4/2004

MACCLESFIELD Town chairman Rob Bickerton admitted he feared for the club's future after they were left five points adrift following a 4-0 defeat against Huddersfield Town in mid-March.

The game marked a turning point in Macc's season, but ultimately cost John Askey the managerial post at Moss Rose.

His successor Brian Horton needs only one point from Saturday's home game against Oxford United to keep the club safe - but the Macc chairman admitted even he was losing hope.

He told Express Sport: "Following the Huddersfield game, for the first time, I was considering the implications of relegation to the Conference."

"Briefly, I thought we were down, to be honest, but then a mixture of the staff, manager and players at the club have convinced me otherwise."

"We were five points adrift with 10 games to play, but there has been a terrific turnaround and I must say, I am very pleased about it."

Bickerton spoke publicly about the regret he felt when informing Askey that he would be replaced as manager, describing the task as the hardest thing he had ever done in football, but admitted the gamble to bring in anew manager at such a late stage in the season would appear to have paid off.

"Everything seems to have worked out for the club, there has been a tremendous turn around in form and I just hope we can get the point we need from Saturday's game to see us safe."

Macc Town would also be safe if both Carlisle United and York City fail to win their respective fixtures.