With the possible addition of a backup goalkeeper, it looks like Keith Alexander has the squad he wants for the new season. But who are they?
Goalkeeper:
Jon Brain
Clubs: Newcastle (0), Carlisle (0) Port Vale (59) Macc (38)
Goalkeeper who joined Macc from Port Vale in the summer of 2006. He had played almost 60 games for them in League One and cups etc. Still only 25, he improved last season and made some cracking saves but prone to occasional errors.
Defenders:
Shaun Brisley
Clubs: Macclesfield (10)
On his first day in training at Macc, Keith Alexander played an 11 v 11 game with every player on the books. The following day, youth team player Shaun Brisley was dropped straight into the first team for his debut. Tall and good in the air, he went on to play every game in the run in, until he was suspended for the final match at Chester. Even scored twice against Accrington. Has looked very composed in pre-season.
Richard Walker
Clubs: Crewe (101) Northwich (10) Port Vale (16) Wrexham (3) Macclesfield (10)
A bit of experience at the back, 27 year old Walker has played regularly in the Championship for Crewe, with more than 100 League appearances for the club. The vast majority of these coming in the Championship, with one season in League One, helping Crewe to second place and promotion. Moved to Port Vale in 2006 but injury curtailed his appearances. Also had loan spells with Wrexham and Northwich.
Shaun Hessey
Clubs: Wigan (0) Huddersfield (11) Kilmarnock (44) Blackpool (6) Chester (79) Macclesfield (26)
Wigan trainee who has played in the Championship for Huddersfield, the SPL for Kilmarnock, League One with Blackpool and League Two with Chester and Macc. Was club captain at the back end of last season when he was here on loan.
Paul Morgan
Clubs: Preston (0) Lincoln (213) Bury (20)
More experience in a player who has been in the play-offs with Lincoln for five consecutive seasons. Paul is a favourite of Keith Alexander who took him to Bury as well as bringing him to the Moss Rose and is still the right side of 30.
Matt Flynn
Clubs: Macclesfield (0) Ashton United (12)
Young central defender who has made one senior appearance, for 30 seconds at Wrexham in the Paint Pot. Was out on loan at Ashton United last season.
Defenders/Midfielders
James Jennings
Clubs: Macclesfield (20) Altrincham (9)
Came through the ranks at Macc and made his debut in the FA Cup draw against Walsall. Was later given the job of man-marking Andrei Schevchenko, who failed to score against nine men Macc with a defender in nets! Can play across the back or as a defensive midfielder, he spent a short loan spell with Altrincham last season.
Ahmed Deen
Clubs: Peterborough (5) Aldershot (11) St Albans (15) Bishop`s Stortford (??)
Formerly of Leicester and Peterborough, the 24 year old has played a handful of League games for the latter before dipping into non-League football. Signed for Macc from Bishop`s Stortford where he also scored a few goals. Can play left back or left midfield and is a Sierra Leonean international.
Izak Reid
Clubs: Macclesfield (36)
Another youth graduate who really made his breakthrough last season. Can play right back or right wing, has a lot of pace and a few skills with the ball at his feet. 36 games for Macc over two seasons. Looking like first choice right back this season after quality performances pre-season.
Midfield:
Terry Dunfield
Clubs: Manchester City (1) Bury (74) Macclesfield (41)
Former Man City trainee and last years player of the season. Played one game in the Premier League for City, where he was described by Kevin Keegan as one of the best passers of the ball at the club. But he is best known for his time at Bury where he made 80 appearances and has shown great resilience to get through a really bad few years of injury and come back to be a regular with the Silkmen last season.
Lee Bell
Clubs: Crewe (53) Shrewsbury (3) Burton (18) Mansfield (23)
Another former Crewe Trainee, 25 years old who has played in both the Championship and League One with Crewe Alex. Also had loan spells with Shrewsbury and Burton before playing at Mansfield last season, but missed the end of the campaign with injury.
Jordan Hadfield
Clubs: Stockport (1) Macclesfield (39) MK Dons (13)
Formerly of Stockport, where he played once, Jordan was a regular for the Silkmen the season before last, playing 44 in all competitions. Was taken on loan to MK Dons by Paul Ince and played 13 League games as they won the title. Still only 18 years old. Midfield ‘stopper`.
Chris Millar
Clubs: Macclesfield (2)
Another youth team graduate who made his debut last season and has been involved with the senior side in pre-season.
Midfield/Forward
Francis Green
Clubs: Ilkeston (??) Peterborough (107) Lincoln (100) Boston (45) Macclesfield (41)
Last season`s top scorer with 13, all of them spectacular! This was despite a couple of injury spells. Him and Gritton had a great partnership in the first months of the season but injuries to both caused problems. Play-off veteran with Peterborough and Lincoln. Plays right wing/right sided forward/striker. Very quick.
Danny Thomas
Clubs: Leicester (3) Bournemouth (59) Boston (82) Shrewsbury (6) Hereford (15) Macc`d (43)
Last season`s players player of the year. Formerly of Leicester, where he played in the top flight, Bournemouth, Boston, Shrewsbury and Hereford he`s notched up more than 230 games in his career to date. And is still only 27. He`s a very pacy left winger who scored a couple of goals and was one of the hardest workers at the club last season.
Strikers:
Martin Gritton
Clubs: Plymouth (44) Yeovil (4) Shelbourne (6) Torquay (93) Grimsby (49) Lincoln (27) Mansfield (19) Macc (31)
Another one who has been around for years and would have been our top scorer last season but for injury. A bit of a journeyman but has close to 300 League games under his belt and he`s still only just 30. Big and strong, he is decent in the air but sometimes lacks composure in front of goal. Was on loan at Mansfield before joining Macc last summer. Also has play-off experience with Lincoln.
Gareth Evans
Clubs: Crewe (0) Macclesfield (42)
Young Macc born lad who was on the youth books with Crewe. Signed for Macc in the summer and made his League debut. Strong striker who can finish well given the chances. Scored seven goals. Played 42 times last season, but more than half were as late substitutes.
Simon Yeo
Clubs: Hyde United (130) Lincoln City (122) NZ Knights (11) Lincoln (12) Peterborough (13) Chester (35) Bury (8)
Another highly experienced player with play-off campaigns under his belt. Now knocking on a bit. Came late to League football as one of Keith Alexander`s non-League finds, he was a regular goalscorer in Lincoln`s play-off campaigns. Didn`t fare so well at Peterborough but did OK at Chester and then struggled at Bury..
Neil Harvey
Clubs: Retford United (134)
Another Alexander non-League signing. Harvey came to England from Barbados and joined Retford United. He played 134 games there in three years, scoring 76 goals and has also represented Barbados at senior international level.
Nick Blackman
Clubs: Macclesfield (12)
Youth team player who broke through last season and scored his first goal for the club.
John Rooney
Clubs: Everton (0) Macc (2)
Wayne`s younger brother. Came here from Everton`s youth side and was getting hat-tricks galore for the youth side. Made two appearances for the seniors last season.
