In one of the most remarkable stories in recent FA Cup history, Macclesfield FC, a club reborn from the ashes of its predecessor, pulled off a seismic giant-killing by defeating Premier League holders Crystal Palace at Moss Rose. The victory, celebrated wildly by players and fans alike, marks the pinnacle of a four-year journey from extinction to historic glory.
From Gravestone to Glory: The Phoenix Rises
The original Macclesfield Town FC was wound up in September 2020, its epitaph reading "Macclesfield Town FC, 1874-2020". Plagued by ruinous finances and points deductions that led to relegation from League Two, the club was lost during the Covid pandemic, a period that deepened local despair. The resurrection began with a surprising online purchase. Local entrepreneur Rob Smethurst bought Moss Rose's fixtures and fittings from Rightmove, a snap decision he admits was made on a whim. His subsequent investment of £4 million laid the foundation for the phoenix club, Macclesfield FC.
Central to the revival was transforming the ground into a community hub. The installation of a 4G pitch, which proved crucial in unsettling Palace's play, generated vital revenue by being used for local training throughout the week. A high-end bar and gym facilities brought people back to London Road, creating a vibrant social club where fans could watch matches and gather on a pitch-side terrace.
A Collective Mission, Not a Vanity Project
This was far from a solo endeavour. Media personality Robbie Savage, a close friend of Smethurst, acted as a frontman and later as manager, leading the club to promotion to the National League North last season and attracting BBC documentaries. The effort was driven by those scarred by the old club's collapse, a sentiment famously displayed on the Star Lane scoreboard in December 2019 which read "Amar Out", targeting the former absentee owner Amar Alkadhi.
The club's profile was also boosted by its proximity to football's elite. While not chosen for a Hollywood makeover like Wrexham, Macclesfield's location in Cheshire brought unexpected benefits. Wayne Rooney, a local resident, became an occasional spectator in the tiny main stand. The emotional core of Saturday's victory, however, was his younger brother, John Rooney. Having played for and now managing the Silkmen, he masterminded the tactical win that moved his famous sibling to tears.
A Victory Dedicated to a Lost Friend
The triumph was imbued with profound poignancy. The squad had been playing in memory of teammate Ethan McLeod, a 21-year-old striker who died in a car accident on the M1 on 16 December. His parents were in the stands at Moss Rose to witness the victory, which manager Rooney and owner Smethurst dedicated to their son's memory.
As fans lingered long after the final whistle, reluctant to leave a ground they once feared was lost forever, the story crystallised. Macclesfield's journey from administration to beating the FA Cup holders is a powerful testament to community ownership and a timely reminder that football, at its heart, remains the people's game.
