An Interview With... Phil Power

Late last week TheSilkWeb.co.uk had a chat with the Silkmen legend that is Phil Power. See what he had to say here...
Firstly how's life at FC United of Manchester?

This season is proving a lot tougher given the resources we have.

Are you working there full time or do you have a day job to do?

I'm part time at FC; my main occupation is caring for young people in a residential home for Salford social services.

Your in the Northern Premier League this season after three successive promotions. FC United predicted to be in the Conference by 2009/10 season. Do you think you can do it?

It would be difficult but you never know!

What is Karl Marginson like as a manager and do you think he could manage in the football league one day?

He is still learning his trade as a manager. Only time will tell.

Lets go back in time now to your Macclesfield Town days. Can you remember how you became a Silkman?

I was on the transfer list at Stalybridge Celtic when Sammy McIlroy phoned me at home and asked me did I want to play for them.

No doubt you enjoyed working under Sammy McIlroy. What was he like as a manager?

THE BEST!!!

Do you have any regrets from your time at the Moss Rose?

I wish my time there could have lasted longer.

When you were growing up, who was your favourite footballer?

Bryan Robson and Diego Maradona.

What has been your greatest achievement during your career?

Being fortunate to play at Wembley twice.

And what’s the one memory during the career you want to forget?

Breaking my leg the night before my transfer to Harry Redknapp and Bournemouth from Chorley in what was supposed to be my farewell game.

Now some questions from the Macc fans out there...

Who came up with your nickname The Maltese Falcon? And do you have any other nicknames?

Maybe there is a Macc fan out there who can answer that because it originated with the Macc fans! None that I'm aware of.

Who was the best player you played with in your time at Macc?

Chris Byrne.

What was your favourite Macc goal you scored?

Away at Altrincham; we won 1-0 it wasn't a great goal but it was the year we won the league and Altrincham were relegated. That's Life!!!

Do you have shares in a fake tan company?

No it's a real Salford sun tan (honest).

How did it feel when you were told you had no future at Macclesfield Town?

Gutted. I knew I would not be happy anywhere else.

Would you would like to manage Macclesfield Town in the future?

Yes, starting from yesterday.

What did you enjoy the most?

- Winning the league in 95
- Winning the FA Trophy in 96
- Winning the league again in 97
- Winning promotion to the old League 2 in 98

Winning the league in 1997.

Which was your favourite away ground visited when you played for Macc?

Kidderminster / Woking.

Apart from Macc, which club have you most enjoyed playing for?

Chorley in the Conference.

Did you think that the club could achieve the great things that it did when you first joined us?

Definitely under the leadership combination of Sammy and Gil Prescott.

A gentleman on the forums with the username "Petemacc" is advocating that Macclesfield Town need to be relegated to the Blue Square Premier in order for them to become more competitive, regroup, and employ Steve Burr as manager. What do you think of that?

Firstly Steve Burr is doing a great job at Stalybridge; but after all the hard work it took to reach the football league I don't agree it would be good to drop down as I believe that you should aim to play at the highest level possible.

Finally Phil, Do you have a message to the Macc fans out there?

Thanks for the happiest times in my football career, nothing has compared to pulling on the Macc shirt and I hope I gave you as much pleasure as you all did me. Hopefully I will return one day in some capacity (if you would have me).