SILKMEN LUCKY TO HAVE SIMPSON

Macclesfield Town chairman Mike Rance believes the club are lucky to have Gary Simpson as manager.

The 50-year-old is approaching his second anniversary in charge after taking over from Keith Alexander.

“He`s done a fantastic job – Gary`s got a real eye for a player, and particularly young players,” he told BBC Radio Manchester .
“I think he`s widely respected for that and I feel we`re fortunate to have him as our manager.”

Simpson lead the Silkmen to 15th in League Two last season, in what was his first full season of management, after a testing year in which midfielder Richard Butcher died.

He was rewarded with a new two-year contract last summer but he continues to work with one of the smallest budgets in the Football League.

Rance also spoke about centre-back Shaun Brisley`s move to Championship side Peterborough, which with add-ons could work out to be a record transfer deal.

“It`s a very good deal and it`s a great move for Shaun,” Rance stated.

“He`s got a four-year contract at a Championship club and that`s what we`re all about really.

“Players join us because they know they get to put themselves in a shop window and if they`ve got an opportunity to advance there careers then we won`t stand in their way.

“He`s played 140 games senior games and he`s only 21, so he`s almost the finished article very young.

“He`s got a long and hopefully successful career ahead of him and we`re very proud of him.”