Jon Macken spent more than three years as a Manchester City player, now he's manager at Stalybridge Celtic and playing his part in leading a revival of both a football club and a town
Stalybridge Celtic manager Jon Macken
Stalybridge Celtic manager Jon Macken(Image: Connor Pelech)
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Jon Macken scored one of the most memorable Manchester City goals in recent times but now he's making fresh memories at Stalybridge Celtic.
The forward-turned-manager cost the Blues £5million when he joined from Preston North End in 2002. Injuries hampered his City career but he struck a famous FA Cup winner against Spurs when 10-man City came from three down at half time to win a thrilling cup tie 4-3 in February 2004.
Six weeks later Macken was on target in the first Manchester derby at the Etihad, netting a crucial second when City romped to a 4-1 win. That was in front of nearly 50,000, tonight he takes his Stalybridge Celtic team into a Northern Premier League West Division play-off tie with Runcorn Linnets at Bower Fold. The gate will be more like 1,500.
It's a long way from a Manchester derby but the desire, determination and dedication of Macken will be no different, even if he can't quite replicate the highs of his playing career from the dugout.
"For me nothing compares to when you are playing. I believe in the players and trust them but you are still on the sideline," he tells the Manchester Evening News, ironically from the sideline as his side are put through their paces during a midweek training session.
"You will never replace or replicate playing but I thoroughly enjoy managing this team and trying to build something positive for the club and the town.
"Promotion would be a big achievement. As a manager you want to change the fortunes and change the attitude of shoulders slumped to shoulders up and looking forward to the game. It has been on a downward spiral over 10-15 years.
"We wanted to improve on the pitch and off the pitch. I think you see a buzz around the place, supporters are coming back and enjoying the games."
Stalybridge have been through some difficult times in recent years but the club is something of a sleeping giant in the seventh tier of English football.
But under new ownership, Celtic are beginning to find their way back. The ground has been spruced up a bit, off the pitch the club are making improvements and on it they are following suit.
A win tonight will put them into a final against either Avro or Lower Breck this weekend. Promotion is within touching distance and would mean a huge amount to a lot of people, not least the players.
Kyle Brownhill has played every minute of every league game this season, one he hopes will be extended by a few more days.
"In football you don't get many finals, it's why you play football," he said. "It's been quite a tough time for Stalybridge over the last 10 years but over the past couple you have seen the progress on the pitch and off the pitch. It's not just big for the players but also for the fans, the volunteers and the staff who have supported the club for a long, long time."
Team-mate Jordan Butterworth, who was at Manchester United for two years as a youngster, has gone from Carrington to Celtic but the pride in a promotion is significant given his dad Gary achieved the feat in 1988.
Stalybridge Celtic are targeting promotion from the Northern Premier League West Division
Stalybridge Celtic are targeting promotion from the Northern Premier League West Division(Image: Connor Pelech)
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"His picture is still on the wall so it would be good to follow in his footsteps!" he said. "The players know how big this is."
It all adds up to a big occasion tonight for a big club hoping to make their way back. Whatever happens the good times are returning to Stalybridge and Macken wants to make more memories.
"I had some fantastic times as a player and created some great memories," he added. "That is what being a footballer is all about. It is when people remember where they were. I was involved in a few of them as a player."
Tonight he could be involved in one as a manager for a club and a town that is on the rise. They could literally be on the up this week.