Excitement is brewing at Glossop North End ahead of Saturday’s visit of Macclesfield FC.
The league leaders, a phoenix club of the former Macclesfield Town FC, have high hopes of securing back-to-back league titles, having won the North West Counties Premier Division last season.
It’s no secret that the Silkmen have lofty ambitions of reaching the National League, if not the Football League itself, in the near future.
Macclesfield are well backed financially with former Derby County captain, turned media pundit Robbie Savage considered to be a kingpin amongst the club’s operations.
The squad itself is something to behold at this level of football, with a litany of high quality players regularly turning out in the eighth tier of English football.
Forward Nicky Maynard brings a wealth of experience to Macclesfield’s attacking line-up, having featured for the likes of West Ham, Bristol City andCardiff City amongst others.
High-profile players such as Maynard, if featured against Glossop on Saturday, will certainly add more spice to the occasion, in what will hopefully attract a big contingent of Silkmen fans to the Amdec Forklift Stadium.
Glossop secretary Dan Bates is looking forward to the occasion and feels the profile of Macclesfield, who have scored 23 goals in eight league fixtures, could usher in a new wave of fans to urge the Hillmen to victory. Speaking to Chronicle Sport, Dan said: “We’re generally pleased with our start to the season, we had some good wins away from home and some good home form as well. The crowds have been a little slow to come back, but now we’re away from holiday season I expect the crowds to pick back up.
“People can feel the buzz around the place - we’re playing some good football under Stuart (Mellish) at the moment. There have been a couple of awkward defeats which are a bit disappointing, but it’s a long season, there are plenty of games and I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
Dan expects Macclesfield to follow similar journeys to other phoenix clubs, including FC United who now compete in the NPL Premier Division.
However, despite Macclesfield’s superiority, Dan says there is no pressure on Glossop and believes his side will be fired up for the occasion.
He is also urging more people in the local area to come down and show their support. “There will be a big crowd and we’re urging people to buy advance tickets for the fixture. We have extra catering and services for the occasion, and gates open at 1pm.
“Hopefully newcomers will enjoy the GNE experience and want to return in the future.”
You can listen to our chat with Dan on our website, www.questmedianetwork.co.uk.
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