On a chilly Monday evening in Macclesfield, anticipation is reaching fever pitch as the town’s phoenix club prepares for another chapter in its remarkable FA Cup story. Macclesfield FC, a team that not so long ago hovered on the brink of extinction, is set to host Premier League side Brentford in the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup at the Leasing.com Stadium. The sold-out clash, kicking off at 19:30 GMT, promises to be more than just a football match—it’s a celebration of hope, resilience, and the unpredictable magic of the cup.
Macclesfield’s journey to this point reads like a footballing fairy tale. Just last month, the Silkmen stunned the football world by knocking out FA Cup holders Crystal Palace in a 2-1 thriller, a result that instantly entered the record books as the biggest upset in the competition’s 155-year history. With 117 places separating the National League North side and their Premier League opponents, the victory was officially the greatest mismatch ever overcome in the storied tournament.
“I mean, who could ever think that a football club like us could be beating Crystal Palace and making the biggest upset in football history in the FA Cup?” remarked club owner Rob Smethurst, whose own story is almost as improbable as his team’s. Smethurst, a local businessman, bought the club during what he candidly describes as a “four-day bender” six years ago, after seeing the listing for the liquidated team online. “I had no direction or sort of any ambition really to do anything, so I started hitting the bottle and things started to go badly wrong,” he admitted. But what began as a drunken whim soon turned into a mission to revive a club and, in his words, “make a difference.”
Macclesfield Town, the club’s predecessor, was founded in 1874 and enjoyed spells in the third tier during the 1990s, even facing the likes of Manchester City. But after financial collapse and liquidation in 2020, the stadium and assets were bought by Smethurst, who relaunched the club as Macclesfield FC. The town, nestled just 20 miles from Manchester, suddenly found itself with a team reborn—a phoenix club that would soon capture national attention.
Now, under the stewardship of John Rooney—brother of England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney—Macclesfield is making headlines for all the right reasons. Rooney, in his first season as head coach, has guided the team through a three-match unbeaten run, including that seismic upset over Crystal Palace. “As we said in the last round, if we perform, then anything can happen,” Rooney stated ahead of the Brentford tie. “We’re massive underdogs, there’s no question about that. We entered the Crystal Palace game thinking it’d take a miracle, but on the day the lads were outstanding and were fully deserved winners.”
The sense of occasion is palpable around the Leasing.com Stadium. With a capacity of 5,900, every ticket for the Brentford encounter has been snapped up, and supporters are being urged to arrive early due to expected queues and enhanced security measures, including full searches and a search dog presence. Hospitality areas will open from 5:30pm, and official club merchandise is available from 4pm, ensuring fans can soak up the pre-match atmosphere in style. Moss Lane, the road adjacent to the ground, will be closed from 4pm on match day, so local authorities are asking fans to park considerately and respect the neighborhood.
Macclesfield’s recent form gives the faithful reason to dream. The Silkmen are riding the momentum of three consecutive victories, and while injuries and suspensions have trimmed the squad—Danny Elliott remains sidelined and Josh Kay is suspended—Rooney’s men are undaunted. “You see games between lower league clubs against Premier League sides and it’s always a snatch and grab, but I think ours was far from that,” Rooney reflected on the Palace win. The belief in the camp is evident, even if the odds are stacked against them once more.
Brentford, for their part, are hardly likely to underestimate their hosts. The Bees come into the tie unbeaten in their last three matches across all competitions, having dispatched Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in the previous round. However, they’ll be without several key players: Fábio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo, and Josh Dasilva are all injured, while Kevin Schade is suspended. The Premier League outfit knows the dangers of cup football—especially against a side with nothing to lose and a town behind them.
History between the clubs is sparse but intriguing. The original Macclesfield Town faced Brentford four times in League Two between 2007 and 2009, with each side winning twice and no draws recorded. Notably, Macclesfield won both home fixtures—could history repeat itself?
The financial stakes are significant, too. The victory over Crystal Palace was worth more than $500,000 to Macclesfield, a windfall compared to the $27,000 typically earned per match. But for Smethurst, the rewards go far beyond money. “I’m hugely proud of the town and what this town stands for. It’s got great people in it, really special people, and I think this club was like the heartbeat of the whole community,” he said. “When it did go under, it destroyed so many lives, and I think that was what I must have subconsciously realized in a drunken state and thought maybe I can make a difference.” He added, “I was in a mess, but you know what it has done, it has saved my life.”
As kickoff approaches, the eyes of the footballing world will be on Macclesfield. The match is being broadcast live on TNT Sports in the UK and via numerous international networks, with audio commentary available across several platforms including TalkSPORT, BBC Radio 5 Live, and BBC Radio Manchester. For those outside the UK, guides on how to use VPNs to access broadcasts are circulating widely—a testament to the global interest in this underdog story.
Fans are being reminded to conduct themselves with pride, especially given the global audience and the increased media spotlight. Alcohol is permitted only in designated areas, and large bags are banned for security reasons. The club, its supporters, and the entire town are determined to show themselves at their best on a night that could add another unforgettable chapter to their extraordinary journey.
Whether or not Macclesfield can conjure another miracle remains to be seen. But as the teams prepare to walk out under the floodlights, one thing is certain: for the Silkmen and their supporters, this FA Cup run has already restored hope, pride, and a sense of belonging to a club—and a community—that refused to give up.