FORMER Manchester United star Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has rediscovered his love for football at non-league FA Cup giantkillers Macclesfield FC.
Having not played for 700 days due to personal reasons, Borthwick-Jackson, 29, signed for the Silkmen four days before they dumped holders out of the cup in one of the biggest-ever cup upsets.
Macclesfield’s Cameron Borthwick-Jackson at the end of the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match win against Crystal Palace last monthCredit: Getty
Borthwick-Jackson during his breakthrough season at United in 2015/16Credit: Reuters
The left-sided defender, who was given his breakthrough by in 2015, was a late substitute against Palace and will feature in tonight’s fourth-round tie against .
He described the Palace win as the highlight of his career, saying: “It is probably my biggest achievement with everything that has gone on and the amount of time I have spent out of the game.
“To come back and be part of that is probably my biggest achievement for me personally.”
Borthwick-Jackson added that signing a two-year deal with Polish side Slask Wroclaw in July 2023 caused issues being away from his young sons Theo, 7, and Carter, 5, who remained in the UK.
He said: “I wanted them to come over but my partner at the time wanted them to be at home and for them not to be disrupted which I understand.
“It was difficult coming home for three days and then leaving for two months and seeing them crying their eyes out which made me realise there was more to life.
“I am a dad first and foremost and that was the decision I made as I needed to be at home for the kids.
“I made the decision which has led me here, and I wouldn’t change it. I stand by it.
“I have got my happiness back which is the main thing. When I was away from home and my kids I was subconsciously not playing at my best because of that fact.
“And when you are not playing, there is a lot of politics in football. I probably fell out of love with it at that point.
“Seeing my kids growing and become interested in football, I thought I owe it for them to see me play.”
Borthwick-Jackson added when Slash Wroclaw loaned him to Ross County, then in the , he thought it would be great moving close to home.
He added: “I didn’t realise it was further away. Instead of a two-hour flight, it was a seven-hour drive.”
Borthwick-Jackson’s debut for Macclesfield against Radcliffe FC, four days before the Palace game, was his first match for 700 days.
He said: “It was a long, long time and when I came on it became real that I was back. It felt strange but, once I got going, you make a tackle and first pass, and you quickly get back into it.”
Borthwick-Jackson tussles with Liverpool’s James Milner during a Premier League clash a decade agoCredit: Getty Images
Borthwick-Jackson playing against Chelsea’s Willian in 2015/16Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Borthwick-Jackson added it was special being part of the Palace game.
He explained: “I said to the boys I don’t think they realised what they had done, the achievement and the history they have made.
“It was unbelievable and I don’t think they have processed it, may be a bit more now.”
And if Macc show the same mentality against Brentford, he believes they can pull off another upset.
“They are flying but we have to focus on ourselves because there are no expectations on us. It is up to them to beat us,” he said.
“We are a team of winners which you can see how we react when things go against us.
“We need to keep that mentality, keep plugging away and not let our standards drop.
“And for me personally having been out of the game for so long, it is nice to come into the club and feel valued and part of it straightaway.”
Wolves are one of several clubs that Borthwick-Jackson has played for in his careerCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Borthwick-Jackson does not know how Macc became aware of his availability.
He added: “I was doing to one-to-one sessions with a guy who also works with D’Mani Mellor [Macc striker who also played first-team football for United] and I don’t know if that was the connection that I am available.”
Borthwick-Jackson, who made 14 first-team appearances for the Red Devils, attended their development centre aged five and signed for them at six.
He began at Fletcher Moss Rangers, the team where started out and which has been a conveyer belt of talent.
Borthwick-Jackson and Rashford also played together for United U18s and still remain in contact.
Raised in Urmston, which is close to United’s training ground, he has always been a Red with his hero being, like him, a left back.
Borthwick-Jackson, who played at every age group for United, described it as a dream come true to make his first-team debut in 2015 as a substitute against in the Premier League.
“I set my dream of playing for the first team and managed to achieve it,” he said.
And he was playing alongside the likes of , Bastian Schweinsteiger and .
Borthwick-Jackson (left) enjoys a moment celebrating a goal alongside Marcus Rashford (right) and Anthony Martial (centre)Credit: Getty Images
“It is surreal when you speak about it, sharing a pitch with that calibre of player,” he said.
Borthwick-Jackson, who represented England at U16, 17, 19 and 20 level, had loan spells at Wolves, , Scunthorpe, Tranmere and Oldham which helped prepare him for leaving.
He eventually joined Oldham permanently and has also played for Burton Albion before moving to Poland with Slash Wroclaw who later loaned him to Scottish side Ross County.
As for future, Borthwick-Jackson explained it is about being happy and enjoying his football and helping Macclesfield win promotion is his immediate goal.
Borthwick-Jackson in action for United in 2016 against Derby in the fourth round – the round Macclesfield play Brentford in tonightCredit: Getty Images
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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