By John Wilkinson John Butler profiles Macclesfield
The Macclesfield club was originally founded some three years after Cov in 1877, and the present club in turn formed in 1927.With their first team known as the Blues, Macclesfield field some five senior sides, two youth, plus a full mini/junior section. Their headquarters are at Priory Park in Priory Lane, Macclesfield.
It is pretty safe to say that fixtures between our two clubs only commenced fairly recently in season 2010-11, following Cov’s relegation from the Championship. Certainly there is no evidence in records of any matches being played before then.
Our paths did not meet in either 2013-14 or last season, so this meeting is just the ninth between us. To date the spoils have been shared, each club winning four times. Our only victory at Priory Lane came on the last visit two seasons ago, 21-13, while here at BPA the last three matches have resulted in wins for Cov. Macclesfield, however, can point out that they won by quite a large margin on their first time here in season 2010-11.
Macclesfield lost their National One status at the end of the 2014-15 season, but have come straight back up as National Two North champions under head coach Giles Heagerty.
Based on two rounds of matches so far and from what has been commented on, Macclesfield believe they have the capability to do much better this season and raise some eyebrows en route.
Their first two results certainly bear out that optimism, a narrow two-point defeat at Esher followed last Saturday by a thumping 44-22 win over Fylde. Already influential back row forward Ryan Parkinson is figuring among the division’s top try scorers.
A quite high number of last season’s successful squad has remained at Priory Park, joined by a number of recruits with several from other Northern clubs. Listed among the retained players is prop Martin Kent, who had a spell here at the Butts Park several seasons back.
Reaching into the memory bank, your writer has a firm recollection of a former Coventry captain originally hailing from the town, none other than our former wing three-quarter from way back in the 1950s and 60s, Harold Greasley. One of those things that just came out in conversation I recall!
Kick-off is 3pm, and post-match entertainment in the clubhouse will be provided by our popular resident band Soul Junction.
