SOL CAMPBELL’S Macclesfield Town have survived relegation after a final day draw with Cambridge United. When the Arsenal and England legend took charge in November, the Silkmen were bottom of the Football League and seven points adrift. Despite spending much of the season in the relegation zone, they will survive to play in League Two […]
SOL CAMPBELL’S Macclesfield Town have survived relegation after a final day draw with Cambridge United.
When the Arsenal and England legend took charge in November, the Silkmen were bottom of the Football League and seven points adrift.
Despite spending much of the season in the relegation zone, they will survive to play in League Two again next season after an impressive run by the Premier League-winning centre-back.
Their survival comes at the expense of Notts County – who have bowed out of the Football League after 131 consecutive years.
Elliott Durrell’s equaliser was enough to ensure survival at Moss Rose.
The midfielder scoring his fourth goal of the season after Paul Lewis had fired The U’s in front just before half-time
Under Campbell’s leadership, Macclesfield won seven and drew ten of 26 matches in charge.
The Silkmen lost just two of their last ten games, picking up 14 points over that span.
Macclesfield had come up from the National League as champions, but a 12-game winless run at the start of the season cost Mark Yates his job.
Campbell had previously complained at a lack of managerial opportunities and proved that he was prepared to start at the bottom to get his chance.
After the draw, cracked a beaming smile to celebrate and said: “It’s a bit like Pele in the Great Escape.”
“There was a lot of pressure on me,” said Campbell, “I’ve learned a hell of a lot about being a manager.
“We have tried to play football with aggression and skill. The will to win has kept us going.
“There are not many clubs in the world who have done what we have done to come back from that position.”
Campbell, who was an Arsenal Invincible and won 73 caps for the Three Lions, rated the triumph as one of the finest of a glittering career.
“It’s right up there, taking my first management job so many points adrift and keeping the guys up,” he added.
“It was a mountain to climb at times with some of the off field things. It’s been frustrating.
“But the lads have dug in and done really well. I’m proud of them.
“I am losing my voice, my hair is going grey and I wish I was still out there. But it’s been great.”
