Ex-Macc manager Gary Simpson has recruited two of his former charges days after returning to Lincoln City.
Simpson, who was sacked as Macclesfield boss nine games from the end of last season, was named as David Holdsworth’s successor at Sincil Bank last week, making a return to the club he and Keith Alexander led to four successive play-off appearances.
And ‘Simmo’ has taken two of the few remaining Silkmen from his squad – club captain Nat Brown and Tony Diagne – on loan as he looks to steer the Imps away from the drop zone.
Centre-back Brown is teaming up with Simpson for a third time after nearly 200 outings for the Silkmen.
The former Huddersfield trainee returns to Lincoln, where he made more than 100 appearances under Alexander and Simpson during their run of play-off disappointments.
Brown joined Macc in 2008, making his debut as a midfielder in Macc’s FA Cup win at Harlow and scored in his first three league games for the club, against Rochdale, Barnet and Grimsby.
He was the obvious choice to succeed Paul Morgan as captain and was the club’s longest serving player.
Another versatile player, Diagne was quick to follow Brown to Lincoln after more than two years as a Silkman.
The former Nottingham Forest man scored six times in almost 90 appearances for Macc, the pick being an acrobatic overhead kick against Hereford and his strike at Swindon this season to get the club’s record FA Cup run under way.
Diagne featured at left-back, left midfield and in central defence for Macc since his switch from Parisian side Municipal d’Aubervilliers.
Both join Simpson’s Imps on loan deals until the end of the season, and both started in the 1-1 draw against Woking on Saturday. They’ll be unable to represent Lincoln in tonight’s match at the Moss Rose.
THERE will be a minute’s applause ahead of the home game against Lincoln tonight (Wednesday) in memory of Alexander and Richard Butcher, two men fondly revered by both clubs. The game takes place days after the third anniversary of Alexander’s passing.
A NEW date has been set for Macc s postponed game at home to Grimsby Town. Friday's clash was abandoned with the Mariners stuck in queues on the M62 and the game has been rearranged for Wednesday April 3. Tickets bought in advance of the original date will be valid for this game.
