Moss Rose – Macclesfield Town

On one side is the Main Stand. This stand is covered and has a raised seating area, which means that spectators have to ascend a small staircase to enter it. It has windshields to either side and runs for about a third of the length of the pitch, straddling the half way line. This type of stand is a classic design, once common across the country, but many have since disappeared with re-development. Although it is old looking it was in fact opened in 1968. It is though unusual to see such a stand that doesn’t have any supporting pillars running across the front of it. It has portions of terracing to each side and at its front.  The team dugouts are also located on this side.

On the other side is the covered, single tiered Big Brand Ideas Stand Stand, which was opened in March 2001. This smart looking all seated stand with a hospitality area to its rear, has a capacity of 1,150 seats. It was originally named the McIlroy Stand after former Macclesfield Town and Manchester United player Sammy McIlroy, but has now been renamed in a corporate sponsorship deal. The Star Lane End is a relatively new covered stand, that is a strange mix of seating and terracing. Strange and unusual in having a terrace area behind the seating area, which contains 486 seats. Apparently seating was added to the terrace in this way, so that the Club could fulfil the then Football League’s rules concerning the number of seats that a Club ground needed to be admitted into the Football League. Opposite is the open John Askey Terrace (named after a former player and manager), which is given to away supporters. In one corner of the ground there is a basic looking electric scoreboard which sits on top of the Police Control Box, next to the Bristol Street Motors Stand. The ground also has a set of unusual looking floodlights.

The Club had hoped to move to a new stadium as part of a wider project to regenerate Macclesfield Town Centre which had been backed by Cheshire East Council. These regeneration plans had included the provision of a new 7,000 capacity stadium, situated south of the town centre, just a mile away from Moss Rose. However, the scheme has lost momentum and objections raised as to whether the Council should be spending money on a stadium, so unless the Club can find the necessary financial backing, then it looks like they will be staying at Moss Rose for a while yet.

Away fans are primarily located in the open John Askey Terrace, where up to 1,500 fans can be accommodated. Additionally, 403 seats are made available in the Henshaw’s Stand, which sits at one side of the pitch. The seating may well be a better bet, as this stand is covered and the facilities new. Entrance to both areas is by ticket only, cash is not accepted at the turnstiles.

On my last visit, I opted for an away supporters seat in the McIlroy Stand. Oddly you gain access to this relatively new stand by going through a rather old looking turnstile. However, once inside you should be impressed with the excellent facilities on offer. From your seat, you can also enjoy the views of the rolling countryside stretching away behind the Main Stand. The view of the playing action and the atmosphere within the ground are both pretty good, with some enjoyable banter between the two sets of supporters. Food inside not only includes the usual fayre of Burgers and Hot Dogs (£3), but also a selection of Pies and Pasties, from local baker Brassingtons, including Meat & Potato (£2.90), Steak & Kidney (£2.70), Cheese & Onion Pasty (£2.70) and Sausage Rolls (£2). Macclesfield is generally a good ground to visit and an enjoyable day out as well, being hassle free and friendly on both my visits.

Please note that for certain games, only the seating area will be made available to away fans. The Club are partly making this decision on the projected number of travelling fans and whether the visiting club has only seats available (and no terracing) at their own ground.

The Moss Rose ground is located on the outskirts of Macclesfield and therefore there is not a tremendous choice of pubs or even a handy chippy. Adam Hodson a visiting Stockport County fan informs me; ‘At the stadium itself, there is the Keith Alexander Bar which admits both home and away supporters. It is located in the Henshaw’s Stand next door to the Sammy Macllroy suite. Apart from alcoholic drinks, hot food is on offer too’. Jonathan Woodard a visiting Brentford fan adds; ‘The bar is free to get in and prices are reasonable and perhaps best of all you get a great view of the pitch so you can watch the teams warming up an hour before the game!’

The closest pub is the Golden Lion, which is just under a ten minute walk from the away turnstiles. I found the pub warm and friendly and I my last visit there was a 50-50 mix of home and away supporters. It serves real ale and on matchdays they offer Pie & Chips, plus a pint for £5, which can’t be bad! The pub also offers free parking for coaches and minibuses if arranged in advance (Tel: 01625 423763). To find the Golden Lion, simply head down Moss Lane, which goes behind the away terrace, and then turn left at the corner of the ground and walk down behind the new stand. Keep straight on this road and you will come to the pub on the left.

If you are into your real ale then I would suggest taking the ten minute walk to The Railway View pub on Byrons Lane. This smallish pub has around six ales on offer including a number of guest beers. They also sell homemade pies and if the weather is good then there is a small beer garden. To find this excellent pub follow the A523 from the ground towards Macclesfield town centre. At a set of traffic lights turn right into Byrons Lane. Just go over the railway bridge and the pub is on the right. Paul Petty a visiting Colchester United fan adds; ‘I went to the Railway on Byrons Lane before (and after) the game. I am not sure if it is an annual event but I was lucky enough to hit their mini-spring beer festival. I would highly recommend the pub for both the quality of the beer and the friendliness of both the landlord and clientele. My only regret was that I didn’t book a later train back to London!.’

If arriving by train then there are a number of good real ale pubs in the town centre, including the Red Willow pub on Park Green, which is the ‘Tap’ for the local Red Willow Brewery, the Treacle Tap micropub on Sunderland Street. Also on the same street is the interesting Snow Goose pub, which is themed as an Alpine Ski Lodge. Just outside the town centre is the Park Tavern on Park Lane, which serves locally produced Bollington Ales.

If away fans are seated in the McIlroy Stand then alcohol is available inside the ground, otherwise, it is not available in the terraced end.

From the South
Leave the M6 at Junction 17 and turn onto the A534 towards Congleton. On reaching Congleton town centre follow the signs for A54 Buxton. Stay on the A54 for around 5 miles and then turn left on to the A523 towards Macclesfield. You will see the ground on your left after entering the outskirts of Macclesfield. Mostly street parking around and behind the ground and on the A523 itself.

From The North
Leave the M6 at Junction 18 and take the A54 towards Congleton. On reaching Congleton town centre follow the signs for A54 Buxton. Then as South.

Geoff Knights informs me; ‘Macclesfield Railway Station is about one and a quarter miles from the Moss Rose ground, about a 20 minute walk away. As you leave the station, at the bottom of the station approach, turn left onto Sunderland Street and follow until the traffic lights at Park Green (War memorial and gardens). Turn left onto Mill Lane (it is probably better to cross onto the opposite side of the road here at the traffic lights) and follow this road which becomes London Road. Just after passing the Catholic Church on the right the ground comes into sight ahead.

Chris Dale adds; ‘You can also catch a bus up to the ground from the new bus station in the town centre. To reach the bus station from Macclesfield railway station, cross the main road outside the station using the pedestrian crossing, turn right and then turn left by the car showroom into Waters Green and follow this road up the hill (Queen Victoria Street) to the bus station on the left. Buses returning from the ground stop on the main road outside the railway station.

Bus Times and Routes:
Service 9 Moss Rose circular – every 30 minutes (hourly at night and on Sundays)
Service 14 Langley – hourly all day and evening (no Sunday service)
Further information is available on Traveline: Telephone number 0870 608 2608′.

Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:

Remember if travelling by train then you can normally save on the cost of fares by booking in advance.

Visit the the trainline website to see how much you can save on the price of train tickets.

Click on the trainline logo below:

Home Fans
Silk FM Main Stand: Adults £22, Over 65’s £17, Under 25’s £12, Under 18’s £6, Under 12’s £3*
Henshaw’s Stand: Adults £22, Over 65’s £17, Under 25’s £12, Under 18’s £6, Under 12’s £3*
Macclesfield Audi Stand (Star Lane End): Adults £15, Over 65’s £12, Under 25’s £12, Under 18’s £6, Under 12’s £3*

Away Fans
Henshaw’s Stand (Seating): Adults £22, Over 65’s £17, Under 25’s £12, Under 18’s £6, Under 12’s £3*
Silkmen Terrace: Adults £15, Over 65’s £12, Under 25’s £12, Under 18’s £6, Under 12’s £3*

* Must be accompanied by an adult.

If you require hotel accommodation in Macclesfield then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will help towards the running costs of keeping this Guide going.

Official Programme £3 (on sale within the ground).

Altrincham and Stockport County.

Macclesfield Town FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website)

For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the
Level Playing Field website.

Record Attendance
9,003 v Winsford United
Cheshire Senior Cup 2nd Round, 4th February 1948

Average Attendance
2019-2020: 1,998 (League Two)
2018-2019: 2,389 (League Two)
2017-2018: 1,839 (National League)

Official Web Site: www.mtfc.co.uk

If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.