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Key information about Moss Rose

Moss Rose was built in 1891 and is now the home of Macclesfield Town. The stadium is located in the southern suburbs of Macclesfield in Cheshire, about one mile south of the town centre.

Its current maximum capacity is 6,355, 2,599 of which are seated places. The pitch size measures 100m by 60m and is not surrounded by a running track nor does it have undersoil heating installed at the moment.

Moss Rose’s record attendance was set in 1967 when 9,008 supporters watched Macclesfield Town clash with Winsford United.

A history of Moss Rose

Built in 1891, Moss Rose is one of the oldest stadiums in the Football League and even more impressively, it has been the home of Macclesfield Town ever since it was erected and opened that same year.

But the situation was quite complicated since the club was actually a non-league side at that time and at one point, they were sharing the ground with Chester City, who fluctuated between Sealand Road and the Deva Stadium in the period between 1990 and 1992. Prior to that period, the only football that was actually played at the ground was low-tier and non-league action.

The first Football League clash to be played at the stadium, however, arrived when Chester City shared the facilities with Macclesfield Town in the aforementioned period. The first clash was a 2-1 win for Exeter City on 1 September 1990 and then, later on in that same month, Arsenal also visited Moss Rose in a Football League Cup tie, securing a narrow 1-0 victory along the way.

But with two tenants ‘living’ at the ground, the games had to be arranged so that Macclesfield Town were at home when Chester City were away and vice versa. This lasted until 1992 when the latter finally moved out. And interestingly, the current League Two side was really close to becoming a professional club in 1995 but their stadium let them down.

Macclesfield were denied entry to the Football League despite winning the Football Conference because Moss Rose was not up to the standards that were set for all clubs wanting to be promoted. So they renovated the ground and two years later won the Conference once again, this time being granted entry to the Football League.

Moss Rose has not yet been converted into an all-seater with only 2,599 out of their 6,355 places being reserved for seating. The current financial situation has prohibited them from further expanding the ground but there were plans to renovate it and enhance the viewing experience in the near future.

Tickets to watch Macclesfield Town at Moss Rose

All tickets to watch Macclesfield Town play at Moss Rose can be found on the club’s official website. The adult ticket costs £22 if you pick the seated category but only £15 if you are willing to be situated in the standing area.

Macclesfield Town also offer a season ticket scheme and more information can be found on the aforementioned website.

Related links

https://www.mtfc.co.uk/ – Official website of Macclesfield Town

Newcastle United are set to rival Manchester United for the signing of Federico Chiesa in the upcoming summer transfer window, according to La Nazione (via Sport Witness).

As per the outlet, the Fiorentina ace may move away from Italy for a fee of at least €60m, which equates to around £53.7m.

However, there is not yet an indication as to just how much the Tyneside club are willing to put on the table, but La Nazione believe that they will overtake the likes of Inter Milan and Juventus for his signature.

This is pending the proposed takeover in the northeast, though, as the Premier League are yet to approve of the £300m deal between Mike Ashley and Amanda Staveley’s Saudi Arabian-led group.

Chiesa is enjoying a relatively impressive 2019/20 season so far, scoring seven goals and providing five assists in 30 games in all competitions (via Transfermarkt).

Comparing the Fiorentina winger to the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin, Christian Atsu and Matt Ritchie in their respective domestic leagues so far in this campaign, Chiesa has netted the most strikes as well as averaging more shots in Serie A (per Whoscored).

The 22-year old could prove to be a valuable addition at St James’ Park if he moves to Newcastle and can replicate his Serie A form in English football, but the potentially extortionate price tag would arguably put a lot of pressure on his shoulders.

Nevertheless, if the Magpies can beat the likes of Manchester United, Inter and Juventus for his services, then it promises to be a real coup for the Toon Army.

Geordies, would Chiesa be a good signing? Comment below with your views!

Victor Orta could land Leeds an absolute bargain this summer if latest reports are to be believed.

According to LancsLive, reported United target Bright Osayi-Samuel is available for just £5m amid interest from Burnley and fellow Premier League new boys West Brom.

Back in May, AllNigeriaSoccer claimed that the Championship winners were keen on the winger, also citing the likes of Everton and West Ham too.

On the face of it, a new wide option isn’t something the Yorkshire giants necessarily need, especially considering Jack Harrison’s extended loan deal and the recent emergence of former Man City starlet Ian Poveda.

But strength in depth in the top-flight shouldn’t be frowned upon, particularly in these sorts of positions and at just £5m, it would be a filthy robbery.

Just think, West Brom splashed £22m on Hull City talisman Jarrod Bowen in January whilst Neal Maupay cost Brighton £16m last summer.

This season, the 22-year-old has provided an inconsistent QPR side with six goals and nine assists and has also racked up better figures than Leeds’ mainstay right-winger Helder Costa.

He’s just a third of the price of the £15m Portuguese ace.

The young Nigerian starlet has averaged more dribbles (2.9) and key passes (1.2) per game as well as a better passing accuracy (83.9%) than Costa. In addition to that, he’s won his side more free-kicks as he’s fouled 1.9 times per appearance (via WhoScored).

Osayi-Samuel’s Rs boss Mark Warburton has regularly waxed lyrical about his exploits throughout the campaign, claiming that the winger is a “real handful,” is “outstanding” and has “sheer pace which terrifies defenders”.

You’re not going to get a better talent at a cheaper price, so even if he doesn’t hit the ground running, at just £5m, it’s such low-risk – Orta must land Bielsa the tricky speedster this summer.

AND in other news, Leeds could regret selling this STAR 12 months on…

Burnley youngsters Josh Benson and Anthony Glennon have been targeted for loan spells by a former Premier League manager now operating in League Two.

Grimsby Telegraph reported that Ian Holloway wants to bring the Clarets duo to Grimsby Town, where the 20-year-old duo both had loan spells last season.

The 57-year-old, who has managed Blackpool and Crystal Palace in the English top flight, told the Mariners’ official media channels: “I’ve made a call to Burnley and those two lads ended up on their bench, and because we used them in level two, they might want to put them into level one or the Championship. I don’t know if I can get them back, but I have asked the question.

“What I am trying to do is to make sure I bring in the right blend, to make a beautiful cake mix that has got every different ingredient in it – so it isn’t boring. I want new and fresh people to come in, and it is really important to start on a positive footing.”

Former Arsenal academy midfielder Benson scored twice in 11 appearances on loan at Grimsby last season, having gone out to Blundell Park in January, and was included among the substitutes for Burnley’s final six games of the Premier League season, albeit without making an appearance (as per TransferMarkt).

Glennon, a versatile defender who can play centrally or on the left and who was previously on Liverpool’s books, netted once in his 12 appearances for the Mariners earlier this year before being included in the Clarets’ matchday squads towards the end of the campaign (as per TransferMarkt).

Indeed, the two players share numerous similarities – both came to Burnley from the academies of high-profile Premier League clubs, both went on loan to Grimsby in January before being recalled for the latter weeks of the Clarets’ league season and both are still awaiting their breakthrough at Turf Moor. Even their birthdays are close to one another, with Glennon just nine days older than his team-mate.

Despite both being included by Sean Dyche in matchday squads towards the end of last season, that neither Benson nor Glennon made it off the bench indicates that they still have a road to travel if they are to get into the Clarets’ first team.

Should they go back to Grimsby on loan, they will return to a familiar environment under an experienced coach in Holloway (more than 600 games in management) who wants them there, hence raising the distinct likelihood of them getting regular game-time.

It’s a move which seems to make perfect sense for the two 20-year-olds as they continue their development and hopefully push for first team inclusion at Turf Moor in the foreseeable future.

Burnley fans, would you be in favour of Glennon and Benson going on loan to Grimsby again for this season? Comment below with your views!

The talks linking Chelsea to Kai Havertz continue to tease fans as an official move could be around any corner.

Frank Lampard is expected to finally get his hands on the 21-year-old amid months of speculation. Antonio Rudiger could also be a part of the move, as revealed by SportBild’s Christian Falk.

The German defender played a role in the recruitment of international teammate Timo Werner, who joined the club back in June. In an interview with the club, Rudiger admitted he helped coax the former RB Leipzig man over to West London.

“I did speak to him before because we have known each other for a long time,” Rudiger told chelseafc.com. “We spoke a lot during the lockdown and he told me he was interested in coming to England. Of course then I did my bit, what I had to do.”

The Blues will be an exciting team to watch as they field Werner along with fellow new signing Hakim Ziyech. Kai Havertz seems to be the final piece of Lampard’s attacking puzzle.

“I made my contribution to Timo. I hope that it will happen with Kai too,” Falk reports Rudiger saying.

Signing Havertz will cost Roman Abramovich a hefty £90million in total, which will take Chelsea’s overall spending to more than £200million.

If Rudiger helps get the deal over the line, he could be leaving the club with a huge gift as recent talks could spell out a Stamford Bridge exit for the German.

Lampard has been ruthless in his tactics this window, offering up four senior defenders on the market in order to raise funds for further spending. Rudiger has also been dangled in front of opposition teams and Liverpool are reportedly interested in making a swoop for him.

It’s unclear for now whether the 27-year-old will be packing his bags, but with weeks still left of the transfer window, anything could happen.

Do you think Chelsea should sell Antonio Rudiger this window? Have your say in the comments below!

With there still over three weeks remaining in the summer transfer window, it could be wise for West Ham United to find a replacement for in-demand midfielder Declan Rice should he depart the London Stadium…

What’s the word?

According to Le10 Sport, the Irons are one of the teams interested in making a move for Paris Saint-Germain powerhouse Idrissa Gueye as the Ligue 1 outfit looks to offload some of their players to raise funds.

It appears as if the 30-year-old’s chances of remaining in the French capital past next month’s deadline are slim with Crystal Palace and Wolves also keen on landing him.

Though no fee is mentioned. Gueye is valued at £21.6m by Transfermarkt and is reportedly on €75k-per-week (£68k-per-week) at Parc des Princes.

Rice replacement?

So much has been made of Rice’s future in east London with his former youth side and local rivals Chelsea thought to be hot on his tail. It’s been claimed by The Athletic that the Blues see the 21-year-old as a long-term solution at centre-back.

Although it appears they are currently unwilling to meet the Hammers’ whopping £70m valuation but that doesn’t mean this saga won’t go down the final day next month.

Despite Gueye’s advancing years, he’d be a pretty nailed on successor to Rice going on just how good he was for Everton.

During his final season at Goodison Park (2018/19), the Senegalese international averaged 4.3 tackles, 2.2 interceptions and 0.7 dribbles per game, via WhoScored.

He had a field day against Manuel Pellegrini’s XI in March that year, recording nine tackles, four interceptions and one dribble. He even won 11 of 14 ground duels against the likes of Manuel Lanzini, Marko Aranutovic and Pedro Obiang, per SofaScore.

The Toffees had been missing him up until their Allan capture and this is seen most in comments from his former teammates. Morgan Schneiderlin claims Gueye is “amazing” in what he does defensively whilst Theo Walcott believes he has “real top quality”.

PSG are unlikely to recoup the £30m they paid for him last summer, but that’s something firmly in David Moyes’ favour.

AND in other news, West Ham flatter to deceive with interest in PL “animal”…

Leeds United’s summer business is by no means complete as they appear to be eyeing a move for a rather exciting young talent…

What’s the word?

According to L’Equipe, the Yorkshire giants are one of three Premier League teams closing in on the signing of Dijon sensation Mounir Chouiar, who was pulled from their matchday squad at the weekend.

They claim that the 21-year-old is set for a move to one of Europe’s top five divisions with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal also mooted with interest.

He’s expected to become a club-record sale, which could see the Ligue 1 outfit rake in around €20m (£18m).

One for the future

After the French league saw the departures of Allan Saint-Maximin and Marcus Thuram last summer, a new name had to step up as the next impressive winger on the block and that appears to have been Chouiar.

Dubbed a “dribbling king” by GFFN, the Dijon star recorded more successful dribbles (63%) than the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Houssem Aouar last season.

Whilst he isn’t far behind some of PSG’s stars for creating chances either having averaged 2.6 per 90, leading to manager Stephane Jobard praising his talents, he said: “He can destabilise the defence in one-on-ones, he’s capable of making the final pass and can even score. He has the whole arsenal of a modern footballer.”

“He’s at the level I expect and we mustn’t forget his defensive contribution either. He is a serious talent in one-on-one situations,” added Jobard. This review alone goes to show why he’d be the ideal fit under Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road.

His ability to play on either wing and through the middle also opens up further scope for success at the Premier League newcomers as they are particularly light at left-wing and in alternatives to Pablo Hernandez.

AND in other news, Leeds United eyeing move for “exceptional” monster likened to N’Golo Kante…

Tottenham Hotspur have had one phenomenal transfer window but chairman Daniel Levy could make it even better with a swoop for one mooted target.

Both of the full-back positions have been upgraded with the signings of Matt Doherty and Sergio Reguillon whilst the north Londoners finally have a proper defensive midfielder for the first time since Mousa Dembele’s exit in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

They’ve even brought Gareth Bale back to the club and have signed a back-up to Harry Kane with Carlo Vinicius joining on loan.

If Jose Mourinho had a checklist, you’d imagine 80% of it has been ticked off, though one position still needs to be strengthened and with the transfer window slamming shut later today, that could prove difficult.

The Lilywhites have been linked with Inter Milan colossus Milan Skriniar for several weeks now, but Levy does not want to sanction a move with the asking price set at €60m (£54m).

This could prove to be an unforgivable mistake as it does bear some similarities to that of Paulo Dybala last summer. No one at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium wants a repeat of that saga once again.

According to the Express (via TEAMtalk), Levy pulled the plug on a move for the Juventus attacker after securing a bargain loan-to-buy deal for Giovani Lo Celso.

It turned out to be a catastrophic mistake as Spurs suffered the absence of Harry Kane when he went down injured on New Year’s Day, crashing out of both the FA Cup and Champions League.

Only the Englishman’s return post-restart enabled Mourinho’s side to qualify for the Europa League.

Spurs need a centre-back, it’s that simple. They’ve lost Jan Vertonghen and Juan Foyth after having the second-worst defensive record of any top seven team last season.

Technically, only Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez are the only senior out-and-out options with midfielder Eric Dier now playing at the back whilst Japhet Tanganga is still largely inexperienced at an elite level.

Skriniar has drawn comparisons to both Martin Skrtel and Alessandro Nesta whilst he’s also been lauded as a “leader” on and off the pitch as well as being “particularly talented” and “elegant”.

If Levy fails to land the 25-year-old monster, then it’s a sour end to what was a hugely encouraging window.

AND in other news, Levy may have missed a trick with Lewandowski-like transfer target…

Marcelo Bielsa has a brilliant record when it comes to developing young players.

Stars such as Aymeric Laporte, Ander Herrera and Benjamin Mendy all developed under the Argentine, and at Leeds United, he’s been pivotal in the progression of Kalvin Phillips, while he also turned Jack Clarke into a £10m player in just one season.

Leeds have been very good at investing in U23 players with a view to them progressing into the first team, with the likes of Tyler Roberts and Pascal Struijk doing just that in recent years, and this summer, we saw a whole new crop of talent come through the door at Elland Road.

Cody Drameh, Sam Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville were all exciting acquisitions, but there may not be another player more-suited to becoming a star under Bielsa than Joe Gelhardt.

The former Wigan man is obviously a massive talent, having made his first-team debut for the Latics as a 17-year-old, while his record of 9 goals in 19 games for England U17s and U18s further underlines his potential.

However, away from what he can do on the pitch, it seems as though Gelhardt is the perfect player to work with off it too.

We know how much Bielsa values a player’s personality and character, with Phil Hay writing in one of his columns earlier this summer: “He seeks footballers with a good attitude, footballers who are malleable and willing to learn, footballers who are obedient, footballers who can avoid disrupting the harmony of a very tight and happy dressing room.”

Gelhardt sounds like he’s in that exact mould, with his former coaches at Wigan speaking incredibly highly of him as a person as well as a footballer.

Paul Cook gave him a glowing review after he scored against Hull last season

“A lot of young footballers coming into the game are not very nice people. We’re just lucky to have a boy with his humility playing for us – the game is easy for him.

“He’ll be starting soon if he carries on like that. He’s a young boy that needs minding though.

“It’s a very special goal from a very special player.”

His academy coach Gregor Rioch would go on to say words of a similar effect towards the end of last season:

“That’s always been one of the aims of the Academy – not just to produce Premier League players, but also Premier League people.

“He certainly comes into that category, and he’s a fantastic role model for the rest of the lads in the Academy who want to emulate him.

“Joe has that absolute love for the game, which sets him apart from so many players – a real passion and desire for the game.”

Bielsa seems to have a real gem on his hands, a natural talent who is ready to get his head down and work hard to become a better footballer, and there are few better coaches in the world to work under when you have that type of mindset.

Leeds could be on to a winner with this one.

Celtic’s shaky run of form continues after Aberdeen held them to a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Pittodrie Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The stalemate means the Hoops have gained a point in the Premiership title race, but they are still paying for their shock loss to Steven Gerrard’s side during the Old Firm last weekend.

As seems to be the norm this season, Neil Lennon changed up his starting line-up drastically in what he hoped would be a win for his side. After fielding a back three for five straight games, the manager opted for four defenders across his backline, dropping Stephen Welsh to the bench.

Lennon also changed his attack, putting Albian Ajeti up top as the lone striker, supported by usual starter Mohamed Elyounoussi, who was deployed deeper on the field.

This proved to be a costly mistake for the Hoops, who barely saw Ajeti make any sort of impact on the game at all. According to Sofascore, the 23-year-old made just eight successful passes in the 70 minutes he was on the pitch, with a measly three of those coming in the second half.

Ajeti failed to register any shots towards goal and was caught offside twice. His performance in what was a very important match for Celtic was an extremely lacklustre one. He was eventually replaced by Leigh Griffiths, who despite having a quiet game against AC Milan, made an immediate impact against Aberdeen.

Whilst the Swiss man’s numbers for the season are far from worrying (five goals in eight league appearances), Lennon certainly has a lot to mull over when it comes to his attack. The Hoops will face Lille in their next Europa League clash and he may well field a completely different line-up once again whilst he searches for a winning formula.

In other news, Michael Stewart not convinced on Vasilis Barkas performances which could cost Celtic moving forward…