Macclesfield Town have released Lincoln City Wembley hero Elliott Whitehouse after failing to gain promotion to the National League.
The Silkmen were beaten 3-1 by Kidderminster in the National League North play-off semi-final, and have now let eight of their current squad go. That includes 32-year-old Whitehouse, who was once the toast of the city after bagging our Wembley winner against Shrewsbury in 2018.
Whitehouse came through the youth ranks at Sheffield United and was once regarded as one of the brighter prospects in their academy setup, captaining the club’s FA Youth Cup side and impressing with his goalscoring record in youth football. However, senior opportunities proved limited and, after loan spells with York City and Alfreton, he drifted into non-league football before rebuilding his reputation with Nuneaton Town. In 2016, he netted for England C against Estonia, underlining his potential.
His form there, particularly from midfield, caught the eye of City, who signed him during the 2016/17 National League title-winning campaign. Whitehouse would go on to make more than 70 appearances for the Imps across two seasons, playing his part in promotion to the Football League and the successful transition back into League Two.
His most memorable contribution came at Wembley in April 2018 when he scored the only goal of the EFL Trophy Final against Shrewsbury Town, writing his name into club history. He stabbed home after a loose ball dropped in the six-yard box, and he wheeled away, gloved-hands raised, to celebrate an iconic moment.
Despite being offered a new deal, he opted to move to Grimsby Town in 2018, but suffered a horror injury early into his tenure at Blunder Park. Since then, he’s appeared for Forest Green Rovers and Scunthorpe United, as well as a number of non-league sides, including Chester and, most recently, Macclesfield Town. He spent a portion of the 2025/26 season on loan with Peterborough Sports, seemingly out of Macclesfield’s plans.
Macclesfield posted a short thank you to the departing players on their website.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to all the departing players for their effort and dedication during their time at the Leasing.com Stadium and wish them all the best for the future.”
Whitehouse will now be seeking the 15th club of his career.
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