Following the departure of Rob Bickerton after a period of five years as Chairman at Macclesfield Town, the club has moved quickly to fill the vacancy.

Finalising the deal - Bashar meets with Andy and Mike this morning

Mike Rance, a director at the club from 1998-2005, is to re-join the Board as Chairman where he will team up with the club's major shareholders Amar and Bashar Alkadhi and with director Andy Scott who will take on a new role as Vice Chairman.

Mike, a long-standing Silkmen supporter, has a broad experience of business developed during a long career in the pharmaceuticals industry. He held a key role in AstraZeneca's London Headquarters team prior to his retirement, in 2006, from East Cheshire's largest employer.

"I really enjoyed my previous stint on the Moss Rose Board" said Mike "but it was always difficult to balance the demands of the club with those of the day job. I have a little more time now and I'm looking forward to working with Andy, Amar, Bashar and the rest of the Board to take the Silkmen forward. The first challenge is to provide support to Ian Brightwell and his team to ensure we convert the promise of this season's performances into points on the board to move up the league table. When we were promoted in 1997 our involvement in the Football League was new and exciting. Everyone pulled together to support the team. If we can recreate that spirit of togetherness and community I believe Macclesfield Town will have a bright future."

Andy, who played for Silkmen in their Northern Premier League days, is one of Macclesfield's more successful entrepreneurs. After opening his first outlet, Bank, in Stockport 14 years ago he built a chain of shops targeting the higher end of the High Street fashion market with outlets all over the north, including one in the Trafford Centre.

The Bank brand was recently acquired by JD Sports and Andy is currently building the franchise for its new owners.

"It's great to be involved with the home town club I played for so many years ago," said Andy. "I jumped at the opportunity of joining the Board after Mike arranged for me to meet Bashar in London last year. The need to integrate the Bank brand into the JD Sports portfolio means that I have a lot of pressure on my time right now but Mike and I share a vision for the future of the club with the major shareholders and I'm confident that, together, we can bring success to the Moss Rose."

Bashar Alkadhi said "Mike and Andy have both the contacts and experience to do a great job for the club and come with the added bonus of being amongst the most passionate Silkmen supporters I know. The new team will work with Chief Executive, Patrick Nelson and have my full confidence."

The club will be holding a Fans Forum in the near future when supporters will be able to meet the new Board and will have an opportunity to discuss the season with Ian Brightwell, Asa Hartford and a couple of senior players.

Moss Rose Stadium

Thursday 10th January 2008