Cheshire Independent Issue 215

JUNE 2026 20 what has been an emotional period for a number of people. How- ever, over the last 24 hours, the shareholders and board have come together, held constructive discussions and cleared up those misunderstandings. “While there may occa- sionally be differences of opinion, which in hindsight, shouldn’t have been aired publicly, those differences only come from a shared pas- sion for the club and a desire to see it succeed. “I think it is important for supporters to know that there is absolutely no lack of passion, ambition or com- mitment from the current board. Every director and shareholder has invested significant time, energy and resources into Macclesfield Independent LOCAL SPORT LOCAL CRICKET ROUND-UP SALE Sharks have agreed a deal to sign highly-rated Gallagher Chiefs and New Zealand scrum-half Xavier Roe. The 27-year-old, who is offi- cially uncapped but played for the All Blacks XV against the Barbarians and Uruguay on their 2025 tour, has signed a two-year deal. He’ll join up with Alex Sanderson’s squad along with a host of exciting new signings for the 2026/27 season. Roe said: “I’ve been at the Chiefs for a long time and I’m at a stage in my career where I want to try something new. I want to experience a new environment, new players and another country and I can’t wait to get started at an awesome club like Sale Sharks. “I know Sale has a very good forward pack, which is great for a scrum-half, but I was really impressed with what Alex said about the way the club has a real family feel off the field. “I like to think I’m a game driver and I know how to put the team in the right areas of the pitch. I think when I was younger I was a running half-back but I’ve learned the importance of giving the for- wards a platform so they can do their thing. “There are so many fan- tastic international players at Sale and I can’t wait to get going.” Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson said: “Xavier will bring real quality to the squad. He’s maybe not a player all of our fans will know too much about but if you scratch below the sur- face of the current All Blacks squad, he’s right there and you don’t get there unless you’re absolute quality.” DIDSBURY maintained their place at the top of the Cheshire County Cricket League Premier Divisionwith comfortable 156-run win over Oxton. Batting first, Didsbury posted 280 all out. The Greens, James and Steve added 78 for the fifth wicket – James top scoring with 50 and Steve chipping in with 42. Chris Becker was out one short of his 50 and Nick Andrews 31. Jonty Walker did much of the damage with the ball, taking 4-17 as Oxton were bundled out for 124. In a top of the table bat- tle, second placed Cheadle beat third placed Hyde by 42 runs. Taking first knock, Chea- dle were all out for 172 (Sub- haan Mahmood 55, Will Holmes 34). James Chew had bowling figures of 5-31. Hyde were bowled out for 130. Nantwich had a massive 276 run win at Lindow. A magnificent 129 from skip- per Luke Robinson, which included a dozen sixes, and 67 from Jake Pearson helped Nantwich to 347-6. Lindow offered little in return and were all out for 71. Sam Perry had an out- standing game for Alderley Edge but ended up on the los- ing side as Boughton Hall got home by 10 runs. Perry had 5-20 as Boughton Hall posted 248-7. He then went on to top score as Alderley Edge fell short on 235. Dan Scholz hit 113 as Tim- perley beat Brooklands by six wickets. Bramhall (235- 7) drew with Neston (208-8). Bollington’s lead at the top of Division One was cut as they lost their first game of the season. At home to sec- ond placed Widnes, Bolling- ton were all out for 204 as they chased a target of 248. Opener and captain, Rich- ard Hough, top scored for Bollington with 60. Matt Fielding (128 not out) and Alex Thomson (91 not out) were the mainstays in Macclesfield’s total of 270-3 which brought a seven wicket win over Sale. Kwok (107) and Iftikhar (78) top scored in Sale’s 269-5. Stockport Georgians opener Ned Bailey was run out for 99 and Sam Bright made 70 as their team notched up 314-4. Oppo- nents Alvanley were bowled out for 200 as Georgians won by 114 runs. Bowdon beat Port Sunlight by 143 runs. For Bowdon, Joe Chapple made 110 and Tommy Lamb 33 off just 18 balls as they posted 254. Joe O’Brien took 4-13 as Sun- light were shot out for 111. In Division Three there was a 61-run win for Bred- bury St Marks over Stock- port; Heaton Mersey had a two wicket success at Hale Barns and Irby thumped Middlewich by eight wickets. Cheshire Cricket League Division One is headed by Stockport Trinity who had a three wicket win at North- wich in a low scoring affair. Northwich were dismissed for 132 (Jamie McDougall 63) with Trinity replying on 136-7 (James Shaw 56). Division Two saw a tied game between Offerton and Chester County Officers while leaders Holmes Chapel strengthened their position with a 105-run win over Wirral. THE recent behind-the- scenes drama at Maccles- field FC appears to have been resolved. Sporting director Jona- than Bull has released a statement after it was con- firmed that Robert Sme- thurst will remain on the board of directors following his temporary suspension. Bull has moved to reassure fans that everyone at the club is focused on the same goal. He said: “Now is the time for us all to move forward together. From my perspec- tive, I am extremely happy to continue working alongside every member of the board as we focus on the future of Macclesfield Football Club. “The supporters, players, staff and sponsors deserve stability, unity and opti- mism, and I believe we now have that. “The discussions have reinforced that everyone is pulling in the same direction and that the club’s future remains bright. “Our focus now returns to what matters most — supporting John Rooney and his staff, backing the players, continuing the pro- gress we have made both on and off the pitch, and doing everything possible to bring further success to Mac- clesfield FC.” Cheshire Police confirmed that Mr Smethurst was arrested inWilmslow inMay on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour. Macclesfield FC responded by temporarily relieving of his duties. Mr Smethurst then took to social media, claiming that his soon-to-be ex-wife and another investor had teamed up to ‘destroy him’. “They think I’m running the club badly or wrongly, which is absolutely untrue,” he said. However, Bull says that every shareholder and direc- tor has played their part in ensuring the club remains well-resourced and continues on an upward trajectory’. In particular, he recog- nised the additional sup- port of Ama Singh and Dan Stuttard who have invested in the club as both share- holders and major sponsors. “Without this significant, generous commitment, the club would be in a very dif- ferent position,” he added. Mr Bull continued: “The last few days have under- standably been difficult, and there have been mis- understandings during Scrum-half Xavier Roe has joined Sale Sharks Sharks land Roe Didsbury stay on top Robert Smethurst will remain on the board following his temporary suspension (Image: Maccles!eld FC) BOARDROOM DRAMA RESOLVED Smethurst stays on Silkmen board MACCLESFIELD Town have put the finishing touches to their pre-season campaign. The Silkmen begin their warm-ups at 3pm on July 4, when they will face Hyde United at the Leasing. comStadium. Town continue their pre-seasoncampaignat Leek Town’s F Ball Community Stadium on July 14 at 7:45pm. On July 18 Macc will host a Wolves XI. The fixture will allow both clubs to come together to celebrate the life of EthanMcLeod. John Rooney’s side will visit Enterprise National League side Altrincham on July 25, with a 3pmkick-off. The Silkmen will con- clude their pre-season campaign against FC United ofManchester at theLeasing. com Stadium on August 1 at 3pm. Pre-season fixtures football pyramid. The ambi- tion for the club remains as strong as it has ever been. “Having worked closely with the board across both the com- mercial and football sides of the club, I can wholeheartedly say that the current board are doing a good job and, most importantly, their hearts are in the right place. We are all united by the same objective: to build a stable, sustainable club that never faces the challenges that brought about the loss of the oldMacclesfield Town and one that can continue to make its supporters proud.” FC because they genuinely care about its future. They want to see this club con- tinue to grow, continue to progress and continue its journey upwards through the