BRIAN Horton went into yesterday's game with Oxford ready to sit down and talk to the Macclesfield Town Board about a permanent appointment if his side ensured Football League survival for another season.

Horton said: "At the moment I haven't heard from any other club but I have enjoyed it here.

"For me that is the main thing. Football, particularly in the lower divisions, can become a chore, but this is a very, very friendly club and I am enthusiastic about my football and that's what I need above anything else."

He added: "I am a very positive person and I feel I have added a little bit of that. If it all goes, well then I hope John Askey can learn from me just as I learned off men like David Pleat, Alan Mullery and Gordon Lee.

"I have known John for some time now, through my friendship with David Moss, and I like him as a man and he is a good coach."

He noted: "Obviously it is frustrating not getting that point either against Hull or at Scunthorpe, but taking 10 points from five games is fantastic form."

He continued: "We have the nucleus of a very good squad here. I am already formulating what we need, but I can say that John signed some good players.

"Steve Payne is a quality player that I knew from Huddersfield. I always liked Graham Potter when I was at Stoke and importantly he and Steve are still both young enough to make an impact.

"John Parkin is a big strong striker that you need at this level. So yes, some good signings have already been made.

"Having managed in all four divisions, with Man City in the Premiership, Hull, Oxford and Port Vale in the First Division, Port Vale in the Second Division and now Macclesfield in the Third Division, I know that the gap between the Third and the Second divisions is not as wide as the gap between the First and Second divisions.

"Clubs like Brighton and Hartlepool have proved that, and I expect Doncaster to do the same next year.

Speaking before yesterday's game, he said "Obviously nothing has been signed yet and I will not speak to the Board until we are safe nor can I finalise any contract negotiations with the players, which is very frustrating, but those are the ambitions to take the club forward."



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