JOHN Askey insists these are good times for cash-strapped Macclesfield Town, and there’s no way to convince him otherwise.

Askey has, with the most paltry budget in the Conference, led his team to sixth place in the table and he says he’s no intention of undoing all the good work he’s put in so far by jumping ship.

Rumours arose that he’s about to leave for Port Vale but Askey, who first came to the Moss Rose in 1984, has no intention of cutting his Silk ties with the club.

“I might not have a contract (the paperwork that  was prepared for him in June remains unsigned) but I’ve got 30 years’ service here. No one’s been back to me pestering me to get it signed so I haven’t bothered, I’m just trying to get on with the job in hand and getting ready for Lincoln and Altrincham.”

Efe Sodje and John Askey have led Macc to one defeat in 11 games so far this term
 

Askey and Efe Sodje remain frustrated that their hopes of strengthening with a bustling target man are as forlorn as ever and, with Luke Waterfall expected to return to Scunthorpe within a matter of weeks, Macc will also need defensive recruitment at some point soon. And, although his calls for some investment in the squad are going unheeded, he’s staying positive ahead of two huge games for the club.

“The main thing right now is that we all need to feel good about what’s happening,” he said ahead of Tuesday nights Congleton friendly, which saw a Macc side including former midfielder Terry Dunfield lose 3-1 after leading at the break. “The gates are slowly starting to go up and people should feel good about what’s happening at their club.

“I can’t believe where we are right now to be honest, but it’s all good – we’ll just keep our heads down and plough on.”

Given that his budget is limited, to say the least, many would have thought survival was this season’s only aim for Macc, one of the bookmakers’ pre-season favourites to go down.

And while he’s well aware that any slump could be right around the corner, he has loftier ambitions than that.

“I want to achieve something with Macclesfield Town,” he added. “It’s very difficult with what we can work with but I was in Macc teams that won things and I want to win things again, I want to get into the play-offs and we do need to invest.

“I understand that we don’t want to put the club back at risk, I don’t want that, but a small investment would help us really have a go, it could prove false economy not to strengthen right now.”