Macclesfield FC have suspended co-owner Robert Smethurst from all duties at the club after he was arrested on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour, the National League North side confirmed on Thursday.
Smethurst, 48, was arrested in Wilmslow, Cheshire, on 19 May. Cheshire Constabulary confirmed that the man — whom the BBC has identified as Smethurst — has since been bailed pending further enquiries. No charges have been brought at this stage.
The club's board of directors released a statement saying they were "aware of reports circulating" regarding Smethurst's position at the club and that he had been "temporarily relieved of all duties associated with the club whilst legal guidance is sought." The board were at pains to stress that they are "wholeheartedly acting within the best interests of the club" and asked supporters not to engage in speculation while the matter remains live.
Smethurst himself spoke briefly to the BBC and did not shy away from the situation. He confirmed his arrest but was emphatic in his denial, describing the allegations as "an absolute load of rubbish." He added that he was "absolutely gutted, devastated" by the turn of events and appealed directly to supporters for their backing.
"I want my club back," he said. "I love the people that have supported me. All I can ask is that they support me through this time. I hope the whole of Macclesfield gets behind me and we pull together."
It is a turbulent chapter for a club that has spent much of the past decade navigating off-field difficulties. Smethurst came in as something of a saviour figure when he purchased Macclesfield out of insolvency back in 2020 — a period many supporters in the Moss Rose end will remember as genuinely precarious. He also brought former Wales international and television pundit Robbie Savage in as manager during his time at the helm, a move that briefly raised the club's profile considerably. Smethurst has since diluted his shareholding in the club.
The board's statement acknowledged the news would be "unsettling" for everyone connected with the club — players, staff, and the supporter base alike — and promised further comment "as soon as we are able to." That is, perhaps, the most a board can responsibly say when legal process is ongoing and the facts are still being established.
For a club of Macclesfield's size and recent history, stability at the top matters enormously. The men and women who stand on the terraces each Saturday do not need another boardroom drama overshadowing what happens on the pitch. Whether Smethurst returns to his role or not will ultimately depend on how the legal proceedings develop. For now, the club continues under the oversight of its remaining board members, and all concerned will be hoping for a swift and straightforward resolution.
The allegations remain unproven and Smethurst has strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
Frequently asked
- Why has Macclesfield FC suspended Robert Smethurst?
- Smethurst has been temporarily relieved of all duties at the club after being arrested on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour in Wilmslow on 19 May. The club said it is seeking legal guidance and stressed no further information would be shared while the matter is ongoing.
- Has Robert Smethurst been charged with anything?
- No. Cheshire Constabulary confirmed he was arrested on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour and has since been released on bail pending further enquiries. No charges have been brought. Smethurst has denied the allegations.
- What division are Macclesfield FC in?
- Macclesfield FC currently compete in the National League North, the sixth tier of English football. Robert Smethurst purchased the club out of insolvency in 2020.