The Football Association has confirmed that one more team will join Macclesfield FC's league - the North West Counties League Premier Division.

And the best part? They're a Cheshire rival.

Congleton Town have been granted their appeal over lateral move to the Midlands Football League.

This means they'll will remain in the North West Counties League Premier Division at Step Five for the 2021-22 season, the league they were originally in. This is the same competition as The Silkmen.

Alongside fellow NWCFL sides Hanley Town and Whitchurch Alport, the Bears looked set to compete in the Midlands Football League Premier Division from next season.

A ridiculous amount of travel time for games over 50 miles away could've hurt the Cheshire club, but thankfully there are lots of short journeys across the north west for Congleton to look forward to, including two games with our town's club.

The FA granting Congleton Town's appeal means Macclesfield can now look forward to a clash with their closest divisional rival yet.

"We are delighted to confirm we have been successful in our appeal against lateral movement," said Congleton Town in a statement this week.

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"The club would like to thank everyone for their amazing support during this difficult and strange period. Roll on the 21/22 NWCFL season.

"We shall be ready to renew a league rivalry last played out over 55 years ago in the Cheshire County League."

They were eighth in the league when the 2020-21 NWCFL Premier Division season was curtailed due to coronavirus. They won three, drew one and lost one game.

The Bears, who play at Ivy Gardens 9 miles away from Macc, have a capacity stadium of 1,450.

Part of the fixture list for both club will be announced on Friday July 2, so we may know when Macc and Congy are facing each other as early as tomorrow.

Congleton Town joins Vauxhall Motors and Runcorn Town as some of the Cheshire teams Macclesfield FC will face in the league next season. Here's every team Macc will play in the new season.

Macclesfield FC will play Ashton Unted in a friendly this weekend, for their first pre-season game at home. Tickets are a fiver and can be bought from the Leasing.com Stadium reception.

Meet Macclesfield FC's latest signing here.

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