MACCLESFIELD TOWN might not have the same resources as other clubs in the National League, but David Fitzpatrick reckons it might just be helping them.
The Silkmen will bank a vital £72,000 with their FA Cup second round proper home clash against League One side Oxford United picked for live TV on Friday night.
Macc's squad are on £100 bonuses for winning in the world's oldest competition, and many of the squad combine full-time jobs alongside the club's full-time training schedule.
But defender Fitzpatrick thinks that down-to-earth spirit is why the National League club upset the odds every year.
“I'll probably work a few hours in the morning on?Friday and then go home to start preparing,” said Fitzpatrick, who works in human resources.
“The club haven't said anything yet, but they might put on a pre-match meal for us. It's not normally a given because of money so we only have it on big occasions.
“We had one before Gateshead because we'd travelled a few hours. But normally we take our own packed lunch. The lads cook their own stuff and heat it up – the mircowave on the bus gets a lot of action!
“It's down to us, but the management aren't daft. If you're not doing things right they'll pick up on it.
“It helps us. When you get on the coach and everyone has their own different food, you can see people have put in the preparation. It's kind of an advantage because it brings us together.
“At clubs you tend to get different groups, but we're like one big group at Macclesfield. Everyone gets on.”
Pride
Boss John Askey is a Macclesfield legend and the players know how much Cup success means to him – and the club.
“The TV money is massive for us,” Fitzpatrick said. “After the Walsall game in the first round the manager came in and thanked us for getting through and helping the club going forward. Then to be put on telly is another £72,000.
“You can tell how much it means to the gaffer and that he's Macclesfield through and through. I'm sure he's had offers elsewhere, but he's stuck by the club.”
Having beaten League One side Walsall in the first round, the former England C left-back, who played in the third round with Southport against Derby County two years ago, says the underdogs will be brimming with confidence.
“We had a six-game spell where we didn't win, but in general terms the games we've played have been good – we've just not got what we deserved in a few of them,” he said.
“The football we play is very good. Against Walsall you wouldn't have known who was the League One side and who was the Non-League team. The talent we've got in the squad is high.
“Everyone is confident and we're looking forward to it. Oxford are in a similar position in League one to Walsall. Them coming to us on Friday night, hopefully the crowd will be fully behind us, will make it a good occasion.”
