Making his presence felt

Delighted: John Rooney says new signing Louis Lacey has been brilliant (Photo credit: MTFC)

MACCLESFIELD summer signing Louis Lacey has made a strong start to his career as a Silkman and manager John Rooney is delighted.
The 20-year-old scored the winning goal in Macclesfield’s away win under the lights at Southport.
And he also provided the assist for Isaac Buckley-Ricketts to net the Silkmen’s first in their 2-1 win at Haig Avenue.
Lacey’s debut performance also saw him included in the National League North’s team of the week.
Rooney told the club’s official website: “Louis has been brilliant since he’s come in as a trialist, he’s done everything right, came on early when needed, and scored the winner.”
Lacey arrived at the Leasing.com stadium following his departure from fellow Enterprise National League North side Curzon Ashton.
He was in training with John Rooney’s side for a number of weeks in the summer and featured in a number of Macclesfield’s pre-season fixtures.
A full back by trade he offers the squad versatility as he is also able to operate on the wing or in midfield.
The early stages of his career were spent in the academies of Barnsley and Tranmere Rovers.
His first senior move saw him go on loan to Flint Town from Prenton Park, where he was named in the JD Cymru North Team of the Season in 2023/24 following a successful season with the Silkmen.
He spent last season at the Tameside Stadium where he earnt valuable experience in the National League North.
It is early in the season but Rooney has emphasised that the squad rotation is going to play an important part in the selection of his starting eleven in games.
For the midweek Southport game, he made three changes from the side that lost to Oxford City the previous Saturday.
He said: “We’ve got a lot of games coming up so there’ll be changes in those games as well.
“Everyone in that dressing room will play a massive part this year, the lads who’ve come out of the team weren’t dropped, it was just rotation and it’s worked out for us.”
The Silkmen lost Brandon Lee through a calf injury midway through the first half.
Rooney has also paid tribute to the travelling Silkmen supporters. He said: “They’re our twelfth man home and away, they travel in their numbers.
“To see them all is massive for us, for me and the lads it’s huge. We’re going to need them every single game right behind us.”
Macclesfield’s opening game of the season – a 3-1 home win against Worksop Town – was watched by 3,034 fans.
The crowd topped the 2025/26 attendance record in the league by more than 300 fans.
Macclesfield have also signed goalkeeper Joe Nicholson following his departure from Rochdale.
The young shot-stopper began his career at Preston North End before moving to Spotland to be a part of Dale’s Academy where he featured prominently in the club’s FA Youth Cup campaigns.
A former scholar at the Enterprise National League side, Nicholson left Dale in the summer and has been training with the Silkmen during pre-season.

Making his presence felt

Season’s greetings!

Rooney takes charge

Bruce makes shock exit