THE stigma attached to being a club record purchase doesn't seem to have affected defender Danny Swailes - but one week into his career with the Silkmen, he admits the drive to work is wearing him down!

Bolton-based Swailes arrived at Moss Rose last Wednesday night to sign a contract worth '40,000 to his old club Bury - snubbing Macc's play-off rivals Northampton Town in the process.

But with the midweek snow across Lancashire and Cheshire, the 26-year-old admits it's been a tough job even trying to reach his new team-mates.

'I'm enjoying myself, and the lads are great, but the drive into Macclesfield has been a nightmare,' he told Express Sport.

'We haven't been able to do much training this week with the weather, but I've got to know a couple of the players and they seem fine.'

Despite interest from Northampton, and reported interest from Championship side Crewe Alexandra, Swailes was keen to choose the Silkmen for a number of reasons.

He explained: 'Me and my partner are expecting a baby in March so we didn't want to move out of the area, but Macc are an ambitious club and they want to go places.

'Macc haven't got the sort of money worries there are at Bury, and I think the club needed the money they got for selling me.

'It will be nice to play at a club who don't have those sort of shackles, although I've always tried to just get on and play my football.'

Swailes ended an eight-year spell at Gigg Lane, where he rose through the ranks to become one of the most highly-rated defenders in League Two.

After making his debut in a League Cup game against Crystal palace in 1998, he helped the Shakers reach the play-offs two seasons ago under Andy Preece in a formidable partnership alongside Michael Nelson and Colin Woodthorpe. But financial issues at the Lancashire club meant his days were numbered.

Brian Horton moved quickly to secure his services alongside former Manchester City and Doncaster Rovers defender David Morley - and the pair made an impressive debut in the 2-0 victory over Kidderminster Harriers last weekend.

'It was a good performance considering I'd never even met David before Saturday,' joked Swailes.

'We looked pretty solid and got a clean sheet, so we've got to look to build on that now.'

Horton praised his debutants after the game, and Swailes has been impressed with what he has seen of the Macc Town boss.

'He's a good manager and he has got lots of experience.

'I haven't spoke to him that much since I signed, but he's done pretty much everything there is to do at this level of football."

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