Back To The Beginning For Ince

Here's is a press release from about the return to Macclesfield Town for Paul Ince, sent to Vital Blackburn from Vital Macclesfield (below).

BACK TO THE BEGINNING FOR INCE

New Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Ince is going back to where it all began for the first game of his tenure as Manager at Ewood Park on Monday 14th July.

It was Macclesfield Town, then seven points adrift at the foot of Coca Cola League Two and staring down the barrel of a return to non-League football, who gave Ince his first attempt at the manager's hot seat.

The Cheshire side took the gamble on the untested managerial ability of the former England captain and, alongside Ray Mathias, he steered the Silkmen to safety and threw in an FA Cup trip to Stamford Bridge for good measure.

It's fitting therefore that Blackburn Rovers supporters will have their first chance to see their new managerial team in action at Macclesfield's Moss Rose stadium.

Macclesfield Town chairman Mike Rance said: "I was only involved with the club as a supporter when Paul arrived, but we were clearly in real trouble. Paul's arrival gave the players a great boost and the effect was almost immediate as we won eight games from nine within a month of his arrival. That run saved the club from relegation.

"And we are all delighted that Paul is set to bring Blackburn Rovers to the Moss Rose for his first pre-season game, and we hope it's a match which appeals to both supporters of both clubs and neutrals in the region.

"As well as a great opportunity for our players to test themselves against top class opposition and our fans to see Premiership opposition, it should prove to be an entertaining evening's football."

The game may also be of interest to neutrals on a more political level. Paul Ince, England's first black captain, has been a figurehead for the under representation of black managers in the English game. On joining Macclesfield he stated his desire to reach the Premier League and following continued success at MK Dons, where he achieved a League and Cup double, Paul is now the first black Englishman to manage in the top flight. From his statement of intent to achieving this record breaking first took less than two years.

One of only two black managers in the English professional game, Ince will face the other, current Silkmen boss Keith Alexander, in this early pre-season friendly. Keith joined Macclesfield Town 12 games from the end of last season and emulated Paul Ince's achievement by winning his own survival battle with the club.

The game on Monday 14th July will kick off at 7.45pm.


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