Over to you again Mike!

Question 6

Who is your favourite Silkmen player and why?

(Phil)

Answer

It wouldn't be appropriate to select a favourite from the current squad so let me delve into the past. I loved watching Steve Burr playing the game. He was a fantastic finisher who often scored spectacular goals but if I had to pick one as my all time favourite it would have to be Efe Sodje. His arrival at Moss Rose from Stevenage to try his luck in the League was an immense boost to the club at the time. He wasn't the best footballer in the world but his charisma and style carried all before him. My abiding memory of Efe was not in a match. It was seeing him leaping the advertising hoardings at Moss Rose to lead a bunch of primary school kids who were representing Nigeria in a World Cup Challenge tournament we organised in 1998. That he was later to play for Nigeria against England in the real thing four years later was a great achievement for a player who made his League debut for the Silkmen.

Question 7

Is there any update on the proposal to relocate to a new ground and what is your view on the Moss Rose? Just how much do you think it is holding us back, if at all?

(Ben)

Answer

It remains our intention to relocate to a new stadium but these things are complex and progress is always slower than is ideal. Like most Macc fans I have a real soft spot for the Moss but there is no question that its limitations are holding us back in many areas. If we are to achieve our aspirations and become a club that is capable of sustaining a competitive presence at a higher level we really need to move to a new location.

Question 8

What are the club's realistic aspirations given that our home following has struggled to top 2,000 for the best part of the last few years?

(Geoff)

Answer

When we were promoted to the Football League I visited Barnet and Wycombe to see if we could learn from their experience. Seeing Wycombe, recently installed in their new stadium, set the benchmark for me. Yes, we're in a very competitive market for football but the area is relatively densely populated and well heeled. Our market penetration within the town of Macclesfield is at the upper end of expectations and to move on from there we need to be appealing to the wider audience in the Borough (soon to be East Cheshire). I believe that is entirely possible but we need a new ground to get there. With that in place I think we can aspire to a competitive and sustainable position at this level or higher.

Question 9

Who do you think will go up in the play-offs and why. How much of a blow would it be if County went up? (Buxton Silkmen)

Answer

I suspect it will be either Stockport or Rochdale as both have momentum and have performed well in the first round of play off games. To lose either of them would be a blow as they can both can be relied on to bring substantial away followings to the Moss.So with apologies to our local rivals - come on Wycombe and Darlo!

Question 10

With the TV money now available in the Blue Square Premier is it such a blow to get relegated and do you see the likes of Mansfield and Wrexham bouncing straight back. (Mike)

Answer

The BSP is now getting great coverage from Setanta but the TV deal is not as rich as that on offer for the Football League simply because of the strength of the League's brand and history. In short, the battle to gain League status is every bit as important at its level as is the challenge of reaching the Premiership. The danger is that clubs overstretch themselves in their efforts to gain or regain League status. It's getting increasingly competitive at the top of the BSP. I would really like Wrexham for example to make a rapid return but it will be a real battle. Oxford United, who finished this season really strongly, will surely start as favourites for the one automatic spot.

Question 11

Is there any news on our application to field a reserve team next year? (Bill)

Answer

We will have a reserve team playing in the Pontin's League next year.

Question 12

Who of your fellow board members is most nervous at a game? (Richard)

Answer

Well, you probably know the answer to that one. Nobody can get close to me in terms of levels of stress towards the end of a game!

Question 13

The youth team has done tremendously well this season. Do the club remain committed to its continuance and how do you judge if it is a success or not. And you hear stories of promising players being poached. What safeguards do we have if someone comes in for the likes of Shaun Brisley.

(Steve)

Answer

The club's youth set up is becoming well respected. John Askey has done a really great job bringing youngsters like Shaun Brisley, John Rooney, Isak Reid and Christian Miller through and we're committed to continuing in the same vein. The costs to the club of running the set up are significant despite the grant funding that is available but believe the benefits justify this expense.

I don't believe "poaching" is really a significant problem and I'm really looking forward to seeing a few more young faces in and around the first team next year. Keith's decision with young Shaun certainly demonstrates his belief that if you're good enough, you're old enough!