Key trio follow Sav out of Macclesfield

Silkmen chief insists headache of upheaval caused by Savage departure has 'relit' burning desire for success

- RICHARD PARTINGTON

ROB Smethurst will use the emotional turmoil of Robbie Savage's departure to Forest Green Rovers as the driving force behind his ambitions for success at Macclesfield.

The Silkmen owner admitted his disappointment at Savage's decision to quit the Leasing.com Stadium in favour of a move to the National League. And to compound his loss so close to the start of the new season, Smethurst and new manager John Rooney are also having to adjust to the loss of three key players from last season's promotion-winning squad.

Tre Pemberton, Neil Kengni and Laurent Mendy have all followed Savage to The New Lawn after Rovers met the terms of their buyout clauses.

It was another bitter blow for Smethurst but the club owner insists it has 'relit' his burning desire for success.

"Unfortunately, as Robbie goes, he's already alluded that he wants to take three players. That's another bit of a hard one to take if I'm honest," he said ahead of confirmation the trio had departed.

"I thought "Wow." I don't want to upset the apple cart but at the end of the day, if those players want to go I can't stop them from going due to buyout clauses that obviously Robbie's aware of.