macey made his debut for the england amateur team against ireland at selhurst park in november 1923. he scored the opening goal from a pass by graham doggart, as england won 3–0, but was too often given offside. the "irish times" wrote that macey's "zeal was a tonic in itself", but attributed england's low score as "probably due to the over anxiety of macey, who, while giving much entertainment to the crowd, was rather disappointing in front of the net." he received his next call-up for the england amateur xi two years later, again for a match against ireland, this time at maidstone. he and left-wing partner walter bellamy, making his england debut, "did some very attractive things" as claude ashton scored four goals and england won 6–4. playing against ireland for a third time, in belfast in november 1926, he scored a tap-in in a 3–0 win. he, edgar kail and vivian gibbins "did splendid work" in "a well-balanced forward line", according to the "daily express".