Macauley, or Macca as he is known, won promotion from the National League to the EFL in his second season with the Hatters – the club where his career had truly taken off – in 2021-22.
Having recovered from the head and foot injuries he subsequently suffered, he had regained a regular place in Dave Challinor’s side early last season, making 24 appearances before injury struck again.
Such is the respect and admiration that Stockport’s squad piled on Southam-Hales, he was missed in more ways than one as they set about finishing a season that resulted in them winning the League Two title.
“If you were to name one player you wouldn’t want to pick up an injury of that nature, every single person after themselves would say Macca,” Stockport boss Challinor said of the injury.
Fitted with a brace and walking on crutches, the physical side of a major injury recovery is stark.
But what is less apparent from the outside looking in is missing out on training, playing and the tail end of a promotion-winning campaign.
“The worst thing you can do really is leave them because he will feel like he’s not a footballer anymore and will feel like he’s on the sideline,” Luke Smith, Stockport County physiotherapist, said during his recovery.
“It’s really important for us to FaceTime him each day, get him involved and in the building when we can, but also at the same time give him the time off that he needs. Contact is really important for him.”
In addition to his recovery, Southam-Hales had contract negotiations to contend with and faced the prospect of having to leave Stockport while going through rehabilitation and therefore making the task of finding another club more difficult.
“It was a difficult situation for me to be in. You go back and forth, and they say no to this or no to that. I was always going to take my time. I was never going to rush myself into anything,” Southam-Hales said when negotiations over his contract were under way.
“The club has been first class to me, and I hope to repay them and get the jersey back on in League One and get back flying.”