Jon Macken

Preston North End

Born in Blackley, Greater Manchester, Macken began his career at Manchester United and signed as a professional in 1996, but left on 22 July 1997 without making a senior appearance in a £250,000 move to Preston North End in 1997. He scored over 70 goals at Preston, twice winning the Player of the Year award. In 1999–2000, under David Moyes, Macken scored 25 goals as Preston won the Second Division title. The following season Macken again led the line as Preston reached the first division playoff final but lost 3-0 to Bolton Wanderers at Cardiff.

Manchester City

Following this success, Macken moved to fellow Division One side Manchester City in February 2002, for a fee of £5 million and was part of the team that ended the season winning promotion to the Premier League. He is most remembered at City for scoring the winner in the 4–3 comeback win against Tottenham in the 2003–04 FA Cup on 4 February. He is also remembered for scoring the 2nd and decisive goal against Manchester United in the first ever Manchester Derby at the City of Manchester Stadium. However, he was severely hampered by a succession of injuries, and only made 27 league starts in over three years. This downturn in his career brought about a move away from Manchester and Macken joined Crystal Palace in the summer of 2005 for £1.1 million.

Crystal Palace

Initially, Macken did not get into the Palace team, and was behind England international Andrew Johnson and…

England U20

Macken made his debut for the England U20 national team in June 1997; he replaced Danny Murphy in the 64th minute of the win against the United Arab Emirates during the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship in Malaysia. He picked up a late booking in the 5−0 win at the Larkin Stadium. This turned out to be his only cap.

Republic of Ireland

Despite being born in England and representing England at youth level, Macken was cleared to play for the Republic of Ireland in 2004; he qualified through his grandparents, who were born in Cavan. On 18 August 2004, he made his debut when he replaced Clinton Morrison in the 63rd minute of the 1−1 draw with Bulgaria at Lansdowne Road.

In September 2017, Macken was appointed as manager of non-league club Radcliffe Borough. He left the club in January 2020 citing differences over the future direction of the club. He was appointed head coach at Colne in December 2021 but left after a disappointing end to the season in 2022. On 21 October 2024, Macken was appointed manager of Northern Premier League West Division side Stalybridge Celtic. He was sacked by the club in October 2026.

Preston North End

Football League Second Division: 1999–2000 Derby County

Football League Championship play-offs: 2007 Individual

Football League Second Division Team of the Year: 1999–2000 Preston North End Players' Player of the Year: 1999–2000, 2000–01 Preston North End Young Player of the Year: 1999–2000 Preston North End Player of the Year: 2000–01