Macclesfield Town

Macclesfield Town
Nine released by Macc boss Horton Macclesfield boss Brian Horton has released nine players following their defeat in the League Two play-offs. Matt Tipton, Steve Wilson, Joey Jones, Matt Carragher, Michael Welch, Tommy Rooney, Steve Brackenridge, Graham Potter and Steve Owens are leaving. Jassim Fayadh has also departed but six players have been offered contracts. Horton wans to keep John Miles, Danny Whitaker, Mark Bailey, Tony Barras, Neil Morgan and Andrew Smart.

Bailey agrees new Moss Rose deal
Macclesfield Town defender Mark Bailey has agreed a new deal with the Silkmen. The 28-year-old former Rochdale full-back has signed up at the Moss Rose until June 2006. Bailey joined Macclesfield from Lincoln last summer and despite a spell out through injury started 20 League Two games to help Town to the play-offs. He is one of six players to have been offered a new deal by manager Brian Horton following Macclesfield's semi-final defeat to Lincoln.

Horton targeting two new signings
Macclesfield boss Brian Horton hopes to make two more signings in the next fortnight, before he goes on holiday. Defender Tony Barras is set to decide his future at Moss Rose this week, while fellow defender Mark Bailey has already agreed a new one-year deal. "I'm very close, 99%, to getting two in but I can't disclose who they are at the moment," Horton insisted. Horton released nine players after the Silkmen bowed out of the League Two play-offs at the semi-final stage.

Barras signs new Silkmen contract
Macclesfield Town defender Tony Barras had agreed a new deal to stay on at the Moss Rose. The 34-year-old former Walsall and Stockport centre-back has penned a 12-month contract. Barras's decision to accept terms means all four senior players offered new contracts by manager Brian Horton have signed up for next season. Meanwhile, Horton is talking to five prospective new signings as he looks to add to his squad for next season.

Macclesfield hold Bullock talks
Macclesfield have confirmed that they have held talks with ex-Blackpool midfielder Martin Bullock. The 30-year-old former Barnsley player was released by the Tangerines at the end of last season after four years at Bloomfield Road. "We have had talks with Martin, but it has gone no further than that," chairman Rob Bickerton told Macclesfield's official website. "We may like him. But it could be he may not like us."

Silkmen bring in four new faces
Macclesfield will complete the capture of four new players on 1 July. Kevin Sandwith, Kevin Townson, Martin Bullock and David Beresford will all sign with the Silkmen when their contracts end next month. Blackpool winger Bullock, 30, and fellow wide man Beresford, 28, who has been released by Tranmere, have both agreed terms with the League Two club. Boss Brian Horton has also persuaded Lincoln left-back Sandwith, 27, and Rochdale forward Townson, 22, to join.

Morley is named Silkmen's skipper
Experienced defender David Morley has been named as Macclesfield's new captain by manager Brian Horton. The 27-year-old takes over the skipper's armband from striker Matthew Tipton, who has left the Silkmen. Morley moved to Moss Rose on a free transfer from Doncaster in January and made 21 appearances for Macclesfield in the second half of last season. After starting his career at Manchester City, he has also been on the books of Oxford, Carlisle and Southend.

Mansfield win the race for Tipton
Mansfield have won the race for the services of former Macclesfield and Wales Under-21 striker Matthew Tipton. Tipton, 24, has agreed a deal with the Stags after pulling out of a proposed move to League Two rivals Bury. Former Oldham striker Tipton was also understood to be a target for Darlington after being released by Macclesfield at the end of last season. Stags boss Carlton Palmer is also close to completing a deal for a keeper to replace the departed Kevin Pilkington.

Beeks is elected to League board
Wycombe chairman Ivor Beeks has been elected as League Two's new representative on the Football League's board of directors. He was voted in ahead of Macclesfield chairman Rob Bickerton and Mansfield chief Keith Haslam. Beeks replaces Southend chairman Ron Martin, who steps down from the board after their promotion to League One. "I'm happy to represent the other clubs of the league to the best of my ability," he told Wycombe's website. The League's eight-man board contains six representatives from the 72 League clubs, as well as League chairman Lord Mawhinney and independent non-executive director Ian Ritchie. The Championship has three representatives - David Sheepshanks (Ipswich), Theo Paphitis (Millwall) and Terry Robinson (Sheffield United). League One's clubs are represented by Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston and Colchester's Peter Heard - while Beeks is League Two's sole representative.

Macclesfield suffer Symes injury
On-loan Macclesfield striker Michael Symes has been ruled out until September after injuring his ankle. The 21-year-old, who has joined the Silkmen from Bradford for six months, must undergo surgery and will miss the start of the new season. It is a blow for the League Two side to lose the player just as they have returned for pre-season training. Symes was limited to only 14 appearances for Bradford last season and managed just two goals.

Macclesfield P-P Rushden
Macclesfield's League Two home game against Rushden & Diamonds was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch at Moss Rose. It was the second League Two fixture to fall foul of the weather after Chester against Grimsby was called off earlier on Saturday.

Nottm Forest 2-3 Macclesfield
Nottingham Forest were knocked out of the Carling Cup after an embarrassing defeat at home against Macclesfield. Gary Megson's side did take an early lead when Ian Breckin headed in Kris Commons' inswinging corner. Macclesfield hit back, Danny Whitaker drilling in from 25 yards and Andrew Smart crossing for Kevin Townson to give them a half-time advantage. Neil MacKenzie lashed in a deflected effort to put the Silkmen 3-1 up before Breckin headed another back for Forest. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nottm Forest: Pedersen, Eaden, Morgan, Breckin, Padula, Gardner, Southall, Holt (Thompson 45), Commons, Harris (Weir-Daley 45), Taylor (Johnson 76). Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Bopp. Booked: Thompson. Goals: Breckin 9, 83. Macclesfield: Fettis, Briscoe, Morley, Swailes, Sandwith, Whitaker, MacKenzie, Harsley, Smart, Townson (Russell 68), Miles (Barras 88). Subs Not Used: Bullock, Beresford, McIntyre. Goals: Whitaker 21, Townson 45, MacKenzie 80. Att: 5,050. Ref: G Lewis (Cambridgeshire).

Ace Parkin closing in on return
Macclesfield striker Jon Parkin is closing in on a return to action, according to boss Brian Horton. Parkin was the club's top scorer last season with 23 league goals but injured his knee in a pre-season game. "Big Parky is back on training ground and doing a lot of work," Horton told BBC Sport. "It is probably a matter of two or three weeks. "He has not kicked a ball so far this season - his injury against Manchester City in pre-season was a massive blow." Horton also took Michael Symes on loan from Bradford, but he also picked up an injury and is back at the Yorkshire club while the problem is assessed. The loss of the two strikers hit Macclesfield hard but Horton's team picked up their first win of the season on Monday - beating local rivals Bury 1-0. "Obviously it has not been a good start because we lost three away games and the win on Monday was vital for confidence," added Horton. Macclesfield's home game against Rushden - scheduled for 13 August - was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. "It has been a very unusual start with having a game off, it means you are playing catch up all the time," said the Town boss. "Had we played Rushden and won we would have probably gone into the top seven but we didn't and ended up fourth bottom." Town reached the play-offs last season, narrowly losing to Lincoln at the semi-final stage. "Last season was fantastic and people expect us to just follow it on but it does not work like that in football - particularly in our league when anyone can beat anybody." said Horton. "But we haven't been playing that badly so although I have been concerned with the points I haven't been too concerned about the performances. "It had a little effect on confidence and the main thing was we were defending poorly and giving goals away for fun. "Against Bury we looked a lot better and that gives the keeper and defenders confidence. "You have always got a chance when you keep clean sheets and that is what we did last year when we had that great spell - in 10 games we conceded just three goals, winning eight of those games and drawing one."

Macclesfield 3-1 Rushden
Macclesfield gained only their second win of the season with a polished display against Rushden & Diamonds. John Miles chested a long punt neatly into the path of Martin Bullock, who finished well for the Silkmen's first. Miles added a second when his jinking run was ended by a crude challenge from Magnus Okuonghae in the box and Paul Harsley converted the penalty. Drewe Broughton grabbed one back, but Bullock side-stepped keeper Jamie Young and fired home to seal the win. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Macclesfield: Fettis, Swailes, Morley, Barras, Briscoe, Harsley, Whitaker, McIntyre, Sandwith, Bullock, Russell (Miles 14). Subs Not Used: Beresford, Townson, Smart, Deasy. Booked: McIntyre. Goals: Bullock 40, Harsley 56 pen, Bullock 86. Rushden & D'monds: Young, Dempster, Gulliver, Okuonghae, Hawkins, Pearson (Grainger 73), Nicholls, Savage, Kelly, Taylor (Broughton 62), O'Grady (Chillingworth 62). Subs Not Used: Woodman, Wark. Booked: Taylor. Goals: Broughton 84. Att: 2,874 Ref: M Pike (Cumbria).

Macclesfield 1-1 Mansfield
Mansfield improved caretaker-manager Peter Shirtliff's hopes of taking over permanently with a battling draw. Macclesfield took the lead after 36 minutes, Alan Russell converting Martin Bullock's low cross from 10 yards. But Mansfield were level after 49 minutes when Richie Barker slipped the ball through to Adam Birchall, who fired into the roof of the net. Veteran keeper Kevin Pressman then earned Mansfield a vital point with a brilliant save from Alan Russell. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Macclesfield: Fettis, Briscoe, Morley, Swailes, Smart, Harsley, Bailey, McIntyre, Beresford (Miles 76), Russell, Bullock. Subs Not Used: Townson, Barras, Deasy, Brightwell. Booked: Harsley. Goals: Russell 36. Mansfield: Pressman, Peers, Baptiste, Day, Buxton, Brown (Littlejohn 89), Coke, Dawson, Jelleyman, Barker, Birchall. Subs Not Used: Uhlenbeek, McLachlan, Lloyd, Rundle. Goals: Birchall 49. Att: 1,576 Ref: M Russell (St Albans).

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