The fact they ever attained Football League status was a miracle in itself. But they bettered that with a promotion winning 1997-98 campaign in their very first season in the League.
A moment that many thought they would never see: Macclesfield Town run out against Torquay United at The Moss Rose on the 9th of August, 1997. Copyright: Paul Atherton
With football legend Sammy McIlroy at the helm, Macclesfield Town’s epic rise through the ranks peaked with promotion to the Second Division, and photographer Paul Atherton was with them every step of the way.
Professional football means full-time training, scheduled training grounds and high levels of security. Not in Division Three. Some players were unable to commence full time training due to their day jobs training took place in local parks. Copyright: Paul Atherton
Atherton’s pictures come together in his book, entitled Against All Odds, which charted the biggest year in the club’s history. Seen for the first time digitally, Atherton is now making prints from that dramatic season available to supporters after the club reformed as Macclesfield Football Club in 2020 following financial issues.
It took Efe Sodje only six minutes to carve his name in Macclesfield history, scoring their first goal in the Football League. Copyright: Paul AthertonSodje rises above defenders to nod home the opener. Copyright: Paul AthertonAnd he could not contain his delight. Copyright: Paul AthertonThe Silkmen eventually won the game 2 -1. Copyright: Paul Atherton
“It was always my intention to document the first season of a new club in the league,” says photographer Paul Atherton.
And he could not have chosen a more dramatic team to follow as The Silkmen spun their magic under former Manchester United and Northern Ireland star McIlroy.
Macclesfield 1 -0 Doncaster Rovers. A Doncaster fan vents his frustration at Rovers club chairman Ken Richardson, the shady looking gentleman in the dugout. Macclesfield’s narrow win following a draw away at Brighton put them top of the table. Copyright: Paul Atherton
They were always up against it, with a ground and facilities deemed unsuitable for the League when they first won the Conference in 1994-95.
Just two seasons earlier they had even been on the brink of slipping back down into the Northern Premier League, but their progress on the pitch now had to be matched off it, and the necessary investment was found to improve terracing and erect a stand.
Who said officials have the toughest jobs in football? Copyright: Paul Atherton
The Football League were satisfied, and there was no stopping Macclesfield this time round, winning the Conference again to finally gain Football League status.
Payne in pain. Steve Payne is stretchered off with an ankle injury. Copyright: Paul Atherton
But even then there was more late drama for the club’s dedicated officials and tortured loyal fans to endure, with a high court writ for £500k hanging over their heads until days before kick off.
The Moss Rose subbuteo style. Copyright: Paul Atherton
They staved off that financial crisis and Atherton was off on his passionate journey, recording it all for posterity.
The club physio finds another use for the Fairy Liquid on Ryan Price. Copyright: Paul Atherton
“I was mainly looking for a project that had some historical relevance, ” he recalled. “Macclesfield was the first club to be allowed to join the Football League for many years.”
A gleeful fan proudly informs the visiting support the score. A thoughtful act as The Moss Rose isn’t equipped with an electronic scoreboard. Copyright: Paul Atherton
“The main task was to get some action images but I found myself drawn to what was happening in the crowd rather than the pitch.”
Paul Atherton
Keep your shape. Copyright: Paul AthertonPre kick off atmosphere at The Moss Rose. “I remember when the football was crap, and I could count the crowd on one hand.” Who says things were better in the old days? Copyright: Paul Atherton
Another perfect 10 – another home win. Copyright: Paul Atherton
“There were a number of set backs, with the chairmen of the existing clubs voting on whether the club was eligible.”
But the criteria wasn’t always clear.
“Chester played their home matches at Macclesfield while their ground was being upgraded, ” said Atherton. “Then when Macclesfield won the Conference one of the reasons not to allow them into the league was insufficient ground standards”.
Put the dirty kit in the bag lads. Copyright: Paul Atherton
Although having trials at Liverpool, Atherton, a talented player and athlete, was an Everton fan as a boy, with the likes of Brian Labone, Jimmy Husband and Alan Ball, with his white boots, staying long in the memory, alongside the skinheads, with their bomber jackets and Doc Martens.
Man in the mask. Steve Wood wears a protective face mask after receiving an elbow to the face. Copyright: Paul AthertonFootball the 3rd Division way. Copyright: Paul AthertonGet into them. Copyright: Paul Atherton
Under all that mud is Martin McDonald – probably. Copyright: Paul Atherton
He kept the athletics going while studying at the renowned sports college, Borough Road, where his 400m hurdles prowess took him to the verge of selection for the 1984 Olympics.
1pm – Ready… Copyright: Paul Atherton2.30pm – Steady… Copyright: Paul Atherton5.45pm – GO… with the exception of defender Cec Edey, taking some extra time to get his hair looking right. Copyright: Paul AthertonCalm after the storm: Tea cups, empty crates, leftover sandwiches and mud off the bottom of boots are all that’s post match. Copyright: Paul AthertonChalkboard tactics. Mark them up. Pick up their winger if he drops deep. Inglethorpe is dangerous in the box. Copyright: Paul Atherton
A love of sport led to a career with Adidas and an opportunity to develop a flourishing interest in photography.
Timeless classic – the boot room, in the showers. Copyright: Paul Atherton
“I used to go to athletic events all over the world,” he recalls. He worked closely with PR agencies and the specialist sports photographic agency, AllSport.
“I started taking local club photos and followed other sports including the RAC Rally for a week sleeping in a car with two other photographers.”
Manager Sammy McIlroy talks to the press. Copyright: Paul AthertonRain fails to dampen the atmosphere as high flying Notts County come to town. Copyright: Paul Atherton
At the world athletic championships in Rome he managed to get a press pass and was loaned some equipment.
“I got a few images published,” he says, “and won a competition with one of the images.”
A complete switch to photography followed in 1992 after being made redundant and Atherton hasn’t looked back.
“I did a lot of First Division/ Premiership matches for various agencies in the North West, “he said. “The main task was to get some action images but I found myself drawn to what was happening in the crowd rather than the pitch.”
Martin McDonald damages his ankle ligaments during the win over Runcorn in the Cheshire Senior Cup. Copyright: Paul Atherton
That lead to his season long project with Macclesfield Town, joining them on their League debut journey.
The pictures, and the passion, are there to witness, beginning with Macclesfield Town’s first ever goal in the Football League, headed home by Efe Sodje, his Against All Odds headband there for all to see, and Atherton to capture, as he rose high above the Torquay defence.
An innocuous challenge by Martin McDonald on the Lincoln goalkeeper didn’t appear to warrant a free kick. However the keeper, Barry Richardson, kicked out while Martin was lying on the ground and was soon joined by his equally aggressive team-mates. Copyright: Paul AthertonStick a boot in. Copyright: Paul AthertonEye-gouge. More or less every player on the pitch became embroiled in the resulting brawl and even the occupants of both dugouts were involved. Copyright: Paul AthertonWinker. Lincoln keeper Barry Richardson looks back at Martin McDonald: Copyright: Paul AthertonPolice attempt to calm supporters. When the ref regained control the red card was shown twice. Barry Richardson and Ben Sedgemore were the recipients with a couple of Lincoln players fortunate to escape punishment. Copyright: Paul AthertonPure joy for Sammy McIlroy as Lincoln are beaten by a late Steve Wood goal. Copyright: Paul AthertonCheerio, cheerio. Police help escort out some passionate Lincoln fans. Copyright: Paul AthertonYou what? A Lincoln fan makes a gesture towards the camera. Copyright: Paul AthertonAs the home fans around them goes into ecstasy, the fan with the oversized cap tells his mother it’s time to go as the game is finished! Copyright: Paul Atherton
The first of many high spots in their promotion winning campaign, part of Macclesfield Town’s chequered history that all comes together in Atherton’s book, Against All Odds.
Moss rats. Lack of cash within the club always meant youth development was a struggle. Copyright: Paul AthertonHome fans make their way into The Moss Rose. Copyright: Paul AthertonGrubs up. Supporters queue for refreshments inside the ground. Copyright: Paul AthertonThe Moss Rose. Copyright: Paul AthertonThe Norwegian branch of the supporters club visit for the Barnet game. Copyright: Paul AthertonThe turning point of the game at Cardiff. Stuart Whittaker comes on and sets up the equaliser after only two minutes. Copyright: Paul AthertonAssistant manager Gil Prescott emphasis the one point that’s needed from the remaining two games to ensure promotion to the Second Division. Copyright: Paul Atherton1.20 and it’s a sell out for the last home game of the season against Chester. Copyright: Paul AthertonPlayers celebrate promotion to the Second Division after getting the job done against Chester with a game to spare. Copyright: Paul AthertonLap of honour. Copyright: Paul AthertonLights, cameras, dressing room antics after the action. Copyright: Paul Atherton5.30pm. While the players celebrate promotion, and interviews are conducted all around the ground, the next generation re-live the afternoons 3-2 win over Chester. Copyright: Paul AthertonSupporters young and old welcome the players during promotion celebrations. Copyright: Paul AthertonAll smiles. Ryan Price leads the players’ celebrations with supporters. Copyright: Paul AthertonPlayers address supporters during promotion celebrations. Copyright: Paul AthertonAtherton reflected in his book: “I can honestly say it’s been an absolute honour to have played a part in the success the club enjoyed Who knows what the next chapter will be?” Copyright: Paul Atherton
Macclesfield Town Football Club was eventually wound-up on the 16th of September 2020 after a series of off-pitch financial issues which in some cases left players unpaid for months.
Less than one month later Macclesfield Football Clubwas founded by local businessman Robert Smethurst. The club began their first competitive season in the North West Counties Premier Division, the fifth step of the National League system, in August 2021.
Atherton’s book is described as a compelling story of Macclesfield Town’s epic struggle from non league obscurity to full football league status.
What they achieved once they got there was indeed against all odds, and Paul Atherton’s picture packed documentary brings it all back to life.
If you enjoyed that, you may also like Bradford City – Claret & Amber in Black & White, where photographer and supporter Ian Beesley records their brief stay among the Premier League hierarchy, including most notably their last day survival from relegation at the end of a gruelling 1999-2000 season.
Don’t miss out on Lower Block’s latest news and features. Subscribe below and give us a follow on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
