Macclesfield FC: 2022/23 Season Preview

It's safe to say that it has been one crazy journey so far for the new and reformed club, Macclesfield FC. Club Owners Robert Smethurst and Robbie Savage and First Team Manager Danny Whitaker had desperate aspirations to achieve promotion for the Silkmen within their first season back playing football after Macclesfield Town FC was driven into liquidation. To their relief and everyone else involved at the club, Macclesfield FC secured promotion to the Northern Premier League Division One West (eighth tier of English football) winning 29 of their 40 league games. This was an incredible achievement considering that 19 months prior to this, the former club Macclesfield Town FC had been wound up by the High Court. Learn more about the rebuild of the club here.

Danny Whitaker and his side will look to carry on their momentum into next season as the club looks ahead at getting back into the National League and then the Football League, where everyone involved with the Silkmen is used to being. Whilst they are still currently three tiers off the National League, they're certainly heading in the right direction. As part of their preparations ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, the Silkmen will begin a series of pre-season friendlies on the 2nd of July. But what can Danny Whitaker and his team expect next season as they head into the Northern Premier League Division One West?

The league consists of 20 teams, where 38 games will be played by each team across the season. At the end of the season, two teams will gain promotion to the Premier Division. These will be the champions alongside the winners of a divisional playoff, in which those who place 2nd-5th will participate in. The Silkmen will also now receive a bye to the Preliminary Round of FA Cup Qualification for being members of the Northern Premier League Division One West. In terms of cup competitions, the league runs just one cup. This is the League Challenge Cup, in which all teams of the Northern Premier League compete.

Last season, 85 points is what it took for Warrington Rylands to win the league. They just pipped title rivals, Workington AFC, by a point in order to secure the title. In terms of who could pose as tough competition for the Silkmen, Marine FC has had 3 seasons of experience now in the league as they've been pushing for promotion back up to the Premier Division. Leek Town may also be driven to better themselves next season. After being relegated to the league at the end of the 2020/21 season, they missed out on immediate promotion this season, losing 4-1 in the Play-Offs to Runcorn Linnets.

Macclesfield FC's 2022/23 League campaign begins on the 13th of August.

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