MX23RW : Saturday, May 11 12:54:52| >> :600:10615303:10615303:

Macclesfield fans fear for club's future as Plymouth game is called off

Macclesfield fans fear for club's future as Plymouth game is called off
© Reuters
The Silkmen have been deducted six points this week, with four suspended, which could now be applied for failing to fulfil their game with Plymouth.

Macclesfield fans fear the club will follow Bury out of the English Football League this season.

Chaos reigned on Friday night as the EFL confirmed Macclesfield's home clash with Plymouth today was off due to the club failing to secure a safety certificate for its Moss Rose ground, yet owner Amar Alkadhi said the game would be played as scheduled.

The EFL has confirmed the club is to be charged with misconduct "for failing to fulfil its fixture obligations".

Earlier this week Macclesfield were handed a six-point penalty by an independent disciplinary commission for a variety of offences, including their failure to pay players, and for failing to play their December 7 game with Crewe.

An additional four-point penalty was suspended, which is now likely to be applied in the wake of what Silkmen Supporters' Trust member Jon Smart claims is "chaos" at the Sky Bet League Two club.

Asked for his reaction to the latest situation on BBC One, Smart said: "Anger, sadness, tinged with disbelief.

"I don't see this ending well, to be honest. We're in a situation where no money has come in this month.

"We had the Crewe game postponed, which is a big local game for us, with a big away following.

"Plymouth would have brought 800 to 900 spectators to the game today, bringing in a large amount of money for us to help pay the players' wages at the end of this month.

"If we continue to avoid playing games we will continue to get points deductions. We'll probably get another punishment for not playing the game today."

After the EFL was forced to expel Bury at the end of August, Smart added: "I've had great sympathy with Bury supporters over the past year.

Bury FC Plight
Bury were expelled from the Football League earlier this season. (Dave Howarth/PA)

"It's not a dissimilar situation, and I fear the Football League are going to lose two clubs this season."

Despite an approach earlier this month from local businessman Joe Sealey – son of former Manchester United goalkeeper Les – to buy the club, there has since been a wall of silence.

Smart said: "I find it terribly sad. There are people who want to take the club forward.

"Mr Alkhadi has not been forthcoming with information to enable local businessman Joe Sealey to make a decision on whether he wants to take the club forward when he sees the books, and we find ourselves in total limbo."

Macclesfield Town File Photo
Macclesfield's players are "desperate" to play according to Supporters' Trust member Jon Smart. (Clint Hughes/PA)

Smart, who is in contact with the players, is adamant they want to continue playing for Macclesfield.

"I did speak to one of the players last night, and they were desperate to get the game on. They really wanted to play," insisted Smart.

"People think maybe the players don't want to play, but the players are desperate to play.

"I fear if this situation carries on they will be looking for new jobs in January."

ID:383623: cacheID:383623:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7873:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
General view of Macclesfield Town's Moss Rose from 2014
Read Next:
Macclesfield deducted six points by EFL over numerous charges
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CStockport CountyStockport462711896484892
4MK Dons462391483681578
5Doncaster RoversDoncaster46218177368571
6Crewe AlexandraCrewe461914136965471
7Crawley TownCrawley46217187367670
8BarrowBarrow461815136256669
9Bradford CityBradford461912156159269
10AFC Wimbledon4617141564511365
11Walsall461811176973-465
12Gillingham461810184657-1164
13Harrogate TownHarrogate461712176069-963
14Notts County46187218986361
15Morecambe461710196781-1458
16Tranmere RoversTranmere46176236770-357
17Accrington StanleyAccrington46169216371-857
18Newport CountyNewport46167236276-1455
19Swindon TownSwindon461412207783-654
20Salford City461312216682-1651
21Grimsby Town461116195774-1749
22Colchester UnitedColchester461112235980-2145
RSutton UnitedSutton46915225984-2542
RForest Green RoversForest Green46119264478-3442


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!