Macclesfield FC has confirmed that manager John Rooney and assistant manager Francis Jeffers will continue leading the club for the 2026/27 season after signing new contract extensions on 6 May 2026.
The management duo successfully guided the team to the Enterprise National League North play-off semi-finals and the Fourth Round of the Emirates FA Cup in their first season in charge. During that campaign, the club achieved a historic milestone on 10 January 2026 by defeating Crystal Palace, bridging a 117-league place gap to record what is widely considered the greatest upset in the history of the competition.
The team demonstrated significant resilience throughout the year, rising from 15th to 4th in the league standings over a four-month period. This effort followed the tragic death of 21-year-old striker Ethan McLeod, who was killed in a car accident on 16 December 2025 while travelling home from a match against Bedford Town.
In addition to the management renewals, Macclesfield FC announced on 7 May 2026 that club captain Paul Dawson has also signed a new contract extension. Dawson, a midfielder with 33 goals in 135 appearances for the club, played a key role in the season’s successes.
The club’s recent achievements follow a period of growth that saw the team win the Northern Premier League in the 2024/25 season with a record 109 points and 109 goals. In March 2026, Macclesfield Town Council awarded the Honorary Freedom of the Town to club chairman Rob Smethurst and the club itself, in recognition of their work to preserve professional football in Macclesfield.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
