Robbie: Forget the social media abuse

Macclesfield FC are on the brink of a non-league promotion.

Robbie Savage’s thoughts:

“Top of the league, one win from promotion and the title.

“Our ladies’ team are top of their league, our reserves (average age 17) are top of their league, our under-21s are top of their league, our under-16s are top of their league and have a chance to make history by winning both the Cheshire and Manchester county cups.

“And our attendances at the Leasing.com stadium are now regularly in the top six outside the Football League.

There could be one heck of a promotion party at Macclesfield this weekend if we beat Ashton Athletic.

“As recently as the back end of 2020, this club didn’t even exist.

“Last summer, we didn’t even have any players. When Rob Smethurst and I joined forces 18 months ago, the pitch was overgrown, and there were no seats in the stands.

“Over the last few months, we have had a lot of things thrown at us – particularly on social media, where the personal abuse and disrespect shown to our football club has been staggering.

“Quotes from rivals have fuelled our fire. One manager said, “I don’t believe Macclesfield have won the league – I believe we’ve thrown it away.” Sorry, but that’s not what the table says.

“We have had to take it all in our stride and our achievements on the pitch are a tribute to the standards we set and the professionalism of everyone at the club.

“Most of the lads have never played in front of such massive crowds, or against sides who raise their game every week because they are playing Macclesfield.

“Throughout my life, I have always believed that weak people make excuses.

“But whatever happens at Macclesfield, we will never hide behind any excuse for our failings.

“Earlier in the season, people were saying we can’t play on grass or muddy pitches because of our 4G surface.

“Then we were told we had too many players to field a settled side.

“And just this week, I was reading that one of our substitutes against Padiham was on £4,000. It makes you laugh out loud.

“It was all nonsense. But we have never tried deflect any of our problems on to others, and it is a shame that our most voluble critics have not found the character to do the same thing.

“The initial aim of this project was to be where we are now – on the brink of promotion with four games to go.

“If this weekend’s result goes the way we hope, we will have won the league as a group. A real team effort. Nobody on this earth has given it to us.

“Don’t believe the ramblings of others who will try to convince you otherwise.

“It’s not so long ago that our players were accused of only playing for the money. Really? Look at their work ethic and passion, and tell me they are just going through the motions.

“I am so proud of what this group has achieved – now we need to finish the job.”