Macclesfield Heroes And Football Club Shine In 2025

As the calendar turned to 2026, the town of Macclesfield found itself in the national spotlight for reasons both heartwarming and historic. From remarkable feats of charity to a footballing fairytale, the past year saw everyday residents and local institutions rise to extraordinary heights, each in their own way shaping the spirit and reputation of this Cheshire community.

Few stories captured the public’s imagination quite like that of Henry Moores. In April 2025, Moores set out on a journey that many would consider unthinkable: walking 1,200 miles from Manchester to Ibiza, and doing so in nothing but flip flops. According to Nub News, Moores was inspired by Florence Bark, who had been diagnosed with leukaemia in 2022. His trek, which spanned 12 weeks and countless blisters, was more than just a test of endurance—it was a mission to raise funds for BeMoreFab, a cause close to his heart. By the time he reached the sun-soaked shores of Ibiza, Moores had raised over £55,000 and earned the Social for Good Award at the JustGiving Awards, a fitting tribute to his determination and compassion.

But Moores was far from alone in his efforts to make a difference. The town’s sense of community was on full display in September 2025 when father-and-son duo Alan and Stuart Bailey organized the first-ever Hospice Rocks concert at Cinemac. As reported by Nub News, the event was deeply personal: Alan’s wife and Stuart’s mother, Maureen, had spent her final days at East Cheshire Hospice earlier that year. The concert, headlined by local favorites the Virginmarys, raised over £11,000 for the hospice. In a gesture that blended remembrance with celebration, Alan and Stuart marked the occasion with matching tattoos featuring the band’s logo, the hospice’s sunflower, and Maureen’s nickname, ‘Mo’—a lasting reminder of love, loss, and giving back.

Charitable spirit wasn’t confined to concerts and long walks. Donna Reese, a sister and training facilitator at Macclesfield District General Hospital, took her fundraising efforts to new heights—literally. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a daunting challenge for anyone, but Reese’s ascent was both a professional and personal milestone. She undertook the climb to support the hospital’s emergency department, where she has worked for 25 years, and as a tribute to her mother. According to Nub News, Reese described the climb as an emotional journey, one that tested her resolve and deepened her connection to both her family and her colleagues.

September also saw Emma Marks push the boundaries of physical and emotional endurance. Marks completed a 29-mile ultramarathon to raise over £4,000 for Cancer Research, just weeks after ringing the bell to signal the end of her own cancer treatment. "It was just about gaining my life back, because you lose so much of it when you're having treatment," she reflected, as quoted by Nub News. Her story resonated with many, serving as a powerful reminder of resilience and the importance of supporting life-saving research.

Meanwhile, Adam Schofield, known to many as Adam Francis Illustrator, continued his tradition of blending art and altruism. In November 2025, Schofield launched his annual Macclesfield charity Christmas cards, donating 25% of the profits to the Macclesfield Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club. Over the past five years, his creative efforts have raised more than £2,300 for local charities, according to Nub News. Schofield’s commitment to giving back, both as an artist and as chairman of the board at the Rossendale Trust, has made him a quiet but impactful force for good in the community.

And then there’s Tom Stott, whose journey is as much about personal redemption as it is about philanthropy. On New Year’s Eve 2025, Stott completed an astonishing challenge: running 10 kilometers every day for 500 consecutive days. His motivation was deeply personal—having previously struggled with gambling addiction, Stott used running as a way to raise money for the mental health charity Mind. Along the way, he even managed to break the world record for the quickest half marathon while wearing Crocs, a quirky detail that only adds to the legend. Nub News chronicled his journey, highlighting how Stott’s determination has inspired others facing similar battles.

While these everyday heroes were making headlines for their charitable deeds, Macclesfield’s footballing fortunes were undergoing a dramatic transformation of their own. The story begins in October 2020, when former Manchester United and Premier League star Robbie Savage joined businessman Rob Smethurst to launch Macclesfield FC, a phoenix club rising from the ashes of the defunct Macclesfield Town. Savage wasn’t just a figurehead—he became a board member and director of football, overseeing football operations, recruitment, and the massive task of rebuilding the club’s infrastructure, including the renovation of the Leasing.com Stadium.

In June 2024, Savage took a bold step, appointing himself as manager following the departure of Michael Clegg. It was his first managerial role, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. The 2024/25 season would prove historic: under Savage’s leadership, Macclesfield FC not only secured promotion from the Northern Premier League Premier Division, but did so in record-breaking fashion. The team amassed an all-time high of 109 points, scored 109 goals, and won the league by an astonishing 26-point margin, according to reporting from Need to Know.

But change was on the horizon. On July 1, 2025, Savage announced his departure from Macclesfield FC to take up the managerial post at Forest Green Rovers in the National League. "The opportunity to manage at a higher level in the National League was a challenge I could not turn down," Savage stated, as reported by Need to Know. Although he remains a part-owner of Macclesfield FC, Savage has expressed his intention to sell his shares to avoid any potential conflicts of interest and to focus fully on his new role.

The club didn’t have to look far for a successor. John Rooney, the younger brother of Wayne Rooney and a star player for the Silkmen, was appointed head coach. Rooney now leads the team into a new era, with the immediate challenge being a blockbuster FA Cup Third Round tie against Premier League holders Crystal Palace. The match, set for Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 12:15 pm GMT, will be played in front of a sold-out Leasing.com Stadium and broadcast live on BBC One, iPlayer, TNT Sports 1, and the discovery+ app, according to Need to Know.

As Macclesfield braces for the excitement of hosting a Premier League giant, the town can look back on a year defined by resilience, generosity, and ambition. Whether scaling mountains, breaking records, or restoring a football club’s pride, the people of Macclesfield have shown that community spirit is alive and well—and that sometimes, the biggest stories come from the most unexpected places.