A Macclesfield footballing legend has left our town's new football club.

Ex-player and manager John Askey (57), returned to Macclesfield in an advisory role earlier in the year.

He was hired by Macclesfield FC in a 'short-term mentoring role' in August 2021.

The length of the contract was never disclosed, and it was clear that Askey still had a hunger for another full-time job, with his last job in the Football League being with Port Vale in January 2021.

On Tuesday, it was announced Askey had been hired by National League side York City. In another temporary contract, he will become part of the managerial staff.

The Yorkshire non-league club said: "We are delighted to announce that John Askey will be joining Steve Watson as part of the management team on a temporary basis.

"John will be in attendance tonight at the game against Leamington, however will start his official role later in the week."

It is not known if his Macclesfield contract has expired, or it was terminated early. Indeed, it may be expiring at the end of this week, as his Macc job was announced three months ago August 17.

There is also the possibility he could still be mentoring Macclesfield FC remotely, from his new job in York.

Macclesfield FC have not responded to comment from Macclesfield Nub News.

The club did also not post anything about Askey on social media, despite their accounts being active for the 2-1 win at AFC Liverpool yesterday.

Macclesfield FC remain top of the table of the North West Counties Football League Premier Division.

Stoke-on-Trent born Askey managed Macclesfield Town from 2003-2004 and 2013-2018. After winning the National League with Macclesfield Town, he had a short lived spell at Shrewsbury Town.

Askey, who has been awarded the Freedom of Macclesfield, is the fourth highest goalscorer for the defunct club Macclesfield Town.

He worked at Port Vale as manager from February 2019 to January 2021.

Some Silkmen fans are frustrated at Macclesfield FC's silence on Askey's departure.

But Silks fans can be confident his mentoring of Macclesfield FC manager Danny Whitaker has done no harm, as they are primed for promotion this season.

See also: AFC Liverpool sends up Macclesfield FC in documentary parody poster.

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