Robbie Savage: The Heart and Soul Behind Macclesfield FC’s Remarkable Revival
In the annals of English football, few stories shine as brightly as the resurgence of Macclesfield Football Club under the stewardship of Robbie Savage. Once a club reduced to ashes after the liquidation of Macclesfield Town in 2020, the Silkmen have risen like a phoenix, and this season’s promotion to the National League North stands as a testament to Savage’s vision, passion, and unrelenting determination. As co-owner and now first-team manager, Savage has not only turned around the fortunes of a beleaguered club but has also breathed new life into a community that had lost its footballing heartbeat. This is a tale of triumph, unity, and the sheer joy of defying the odds, a story that has left Macclesfield buzzing with pride and optimism.
From the Ashes to Ambition
Five years ago, the outlook for football in Macclesfield was bleak. The original Macclesfield Town FC, a club with a proud history dating back to 1874, ceased to exist, leaving behind a derelict Moss Rose stadium and a town stripped of its sporting soul. Enter Robbie Savage, the former Premier League midfielder turned pundit, and his business partner, local entrepreneur Rob Smethurst. Together, they dared to dream of a revival when others saw only ruin. Smethurst provided the financial backbone, purchasing the club’s assets and laying the foundations for a new beginning, while Savage brought the footballing know-how, charisma, and an infectious belief that Macclesfield could rise again.
What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. In just four seasons, Macclesfield FC has climbed three tiers of the English football pyramid, culminating in this season’s crowning achievement: promotion from the Northern Premier League Premier Division to the National League North. For Savage, who took the reins as head coach at the start of the 2024-25 campaign, this triumph marks his first as a manager, and arguably the most remarkable of his storied career. “I’ve been lucky enough to captain four teams in the Premier League, play nearly 350 games in the topflight, appear in Wembley cup finals, and win 39 caps for my country,” Savage said after the promotion was sealed. “But Macclesfield being crowned champions of the Northern Premier League was my proudest moment of all.”
A Season of Dominance and Delight
The 2024-25 season has been a masterclass in determination and team spirit. Under Savage’s guidance, Macclesfield FC didn’t just secure promotion, they dominated. With 29 wins in 36 games and a staggering goal difference of +62, the Silkmen stormed to the title with a 20-point cushion over their nearest rivals, Worksop Town. The champagne finally flowed on March 22, 2025, when their place in the National League North was mathematically confirmed, making them the first club in the top seven tiers of English football to clinch promotion this season.
Savage’s squad, a blend of seasoned talent and hungry youngsters, has been the heartbeat of this success. Players like Danny Elliott, who notched 35 goals, and John Rooney, whose 20 assists lit up the pitch, embodied the relentless drive that Savage instilled. Midfielder Laurent Mendy’s long-range stunner, dubbed the “Vincent Kompany moment” by Savage, became a symbol of the team’s flair and fearlessness. Meanwhile, captain Paul Dawson, who swapped motorway maintenance for footballing glory, epitomised the grit and graft that carried Macclesfield over the line. “Lots of people seem to have an opinion about Sav,” Dawson remarked, “but you don’t play at the levels he did for so long without knowing your way around a football pitch. Our results speak for themselves.”
More Than a Manager: A Community Champion
Savage’s impact extends far beyond the touchline. As co-owner and former director of football, he’s been the driving force behind transforming Moss Rose into a thriving community hub. The stadium, once a crumbling relic, now boasts a 3G pitch, a bustling gymnasium, and a bar that hums with activity. With over 600 players on the books from the first team to grassroots kids, and 29 teams, including a ladies’ side and an academy, Macclesfield FC has become a beacon of inclusivity and opportunity. “This is the day we gave a town its pride back,” Savage declared after an earlier promotion in 2022. That sentiment rings truer than ever in 2025.
The numbers tell a story of their own: average crowds of 3,500, sometimes swelling to over 4,000 pours through the turnstiles each week, dwarfing the attendances of many clubs at higher levels. This isn’t just a football club; it’s a movement. Savage’s hands-on approach whether he’s scouting talent, analysing footage, or even stepping in to break up a scuffle among fans has won hearts and minds. His decision to manage unpaid, pouring every ounce of his energy into the project, underscores his commitment. “It’s not about money for me,” he told BBC Radio Manchester. “It’s for the journey.”
Defying the Doubters
The road to promotion hasn’t been without its challenges. Critics have sniped at Macclesfield’s budget, fuelled by gate receipts and Smethurst’s investment, accusing them of buying success. Savage, however, has been quick to set the record straight. “Do our finances guarantee success? No,” he wrote in a Football365 diary. “In any league, there will be clubs with larger budgets. Across every level in the game, clubs have thrown money at their ambitions, only to watch it spiral down the drain.” What sets Macclesfield apart he argues, is the collective spirit, players, staff, and supporters all pulling in the same direction.
