New Role For Askey

Silkmen legend John Askey has been given the role of Head of Youth Development at the Moss Rose.

Last season it seemed that John’s time at the Moss could have been coming to an end after being given six months notice.

But John is now set to take up the vital role of bringing young players to the club.

The Silkmen have expressed a desire to have half of the first team coming from local talent within three or four years and this will now be down to John Askey and Cente of Excellence coach Mick Holgate.

Speaking to the Macclesfield Express he said that we could compete with Manchester United and Manchester City for young players by giving them a real chance of first team football.

‘We want kids and their parents who sign up for the top clubs to know that they are better coming to us because they have a better chance of first team football.

‘If you look at the current squad there’s Andrew Smart, Andy Teague and Marvin McDonald who are all young lads.

‘We want to create an interest amongst players similar to Crewe.’

Brian Horton added:

‘I’m delighted John will remain at the club because he is Macclesfield Town through and through. He made it clear he wanted to stay and we wanted him to.

‘Bringing through youngsters is very important for a club like Macclesfield. John along with Mick Holgate, who does an excellent job, has an important part to play.’

John has already shown his ability with young players as he guided the Silkmen’s Reserve side to the Pontins League title in 2003 with a young side. Ricky Lambert, Danny Whitaker and Michael Welch were the highest first team appearance makers to come through from the Reserves under John Askey.