one red card, as "Dale" finished eighth in the league. He signed a two-year contract extension in the summer. He later described Steve Parkin as the best manager he had played under. He lost his first-team place at the start of the 2001–02 campaign, however, due to the central midfield partnership of Gary Jones and Michael Oliver and came close to a move to Shrewsbury Town, though ended up staying as Jones instead left the club. Flitcroft started 21 league games, making 43 appearances overall. Rochdale qualified for the play-offs under the stewardship of John Hollins, but were beaten by Rushden & Diamonds in the semi-finals. The 2002–03 season proved to be his best in Rochdale colours, and he was named as Player of the Year after scoring two goals in 48 appearances. Paul Simpson took the club to the fifth round of the FA Cup, where they lost 3–1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers. However Flitcroft left Rochdale in the summer after the club's directors told him that he needed to impress during a pre-season trial in order to win a new contract and by the time new manager Alan Buckley was appointed Flitcroft had already decided to leave. Macclesfield Town Flitcroft signed a two-year contract with Macclesfield Town on 9 July 2003 and was immediately installed as captain at Moss Rose. He played 15 Third Division games for the "Silkmen" before losing his first-team place when John Askey replaced David Moss as manager in October. His contract was cancelled by mutual consent in January 2004. Bury Flitcroft joined Bury on non-contract terms in February 2004. He played 17 games for the "Shakers" in the second half of the 2003–04 season and signed a 12-month contract in May. He scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 win over Kidderminster Harriers at Gigg Lane on 30 August 2004, though was sent off later in the match after picking up a second yellow card. He was sent off again for two yellow card offences in a 2–0 defeat at Northampton Town on 28 December. He signed a one-year contract in July 2005 after making 40 appearances throughout the 2004–05 season. He played 46 games during the 2005–06 season and was sent off in the FA Cup against Scunthorpe United. He was named as the club's Player of the Year for what the Bury Times described "his wholehearted and consistent displays