Macclesfield Town have declared their home game with Carlisle United on the 29th January a Fans United Day. Last month the Silkmen were ordered to pay the FA around £300,000 by the end of January.
This cash is a fine and repayment for offences relating to the building of the new stand. Two of these charges, which incorporate almost 80% of the full amount, the club still strenuously deny.
It was immediately clear that a club the size of Macclesfield Town, and indeed most other organizations, would struggle to raise that sort of money in the draconian six-week timescale given by the FA.
The club and its supporters both moved swiftly to begin the seemingly insurmountable task of raising the required money. One of several initiatives being run by the club is a decision to host a Fans United day at the Moss Rose on Sunday January 29th (KO 3pm) when the Silkmen face Carlisle in a League Two clash.
A Silkmen Supporters Trust spokesman Mike Griffiths said: "All supporters of Macclesfield Town feel that the FA have been unjustly ruthless in the size and timescale of this punishment. We are working hard to help raise the money and want to support the club's move to create this Fans United Day.
"We hope that supporters from across the country will come and enjoy the day with us. Our four games since Christmas have seen 20 goals so it could prove to be very entertaining for the neutral even if the loyal fans fingernails don't last the full 90 minutes!
"The day will also involve a collection for our newly formed Silkmen Supporters Trust who have pledged to help Macclesfield Town raise the £300,000 they need by the end of the month."
Fans United days have proved to be incredibly successful in the past as the football family turn out to support one of their own who are undergoing a crisis. Events at Cambridge and Wrexham last year attracted 1,000 and 1,400 extra supporters respectively.
Supporters of all clubs are invited to attend the game wearing their own team's colours to show their support for the Silkmen in their hour of need. The Silkmen would also like clubs from the Premiership, Football League and below to send a signed shirt which will be paraded at the Moss Rose to signify the support of all of the Football Family.
More information on Macclesfield Town FC here and here.