On a chilly January evening at the Leasing.com Stadium, football fans witnessed a moment that will echo through the annals of the FA Cup for decades. Macclesfield FC, a club reborn from ashes just four years ago, stunned the footballing world by toppling defending champions Crystal Palace 2-1 in the third round of the FA Cup. With 117 league places separating the two sides, this wasn’t just an upset—it was, statistically, the biggest shock in the competition’s storied history.
To grasp the scale of this achievement, you have to understand Macclesfield’s recent journey. Originally founded in 1874, the club was liquidated in September 2020 after financial turmoil and expelled from the National League. But the town’s footballing spirit refused to die. By October 2020, Macclesfield FC was reborn, starting anew in the ninth tier of English football. Since then, they’ve rocketed up the pyramid, earning three promotions in just four seasons. Now, as a sixth-tier side, they’ve done what seemed impossible: defeat a Premier League team in the FA Cup, a feat last accomplished by a club at this level back in 1992.
The drama began two minutes before halftime. Captain Paul Dawson rose above the Palace defense to nod home a pinpoint Luke Duffy free-kick, sending the home crowd into raptures. The Silkmen doubled their lead on the hour mark, with Isaac Buckley-Ricketts pouncing instinctively from close range. Crystal Palace, despite fielding England internationals Marc Guéhi and Adam Wharton, looked rattled.
But the Premier League side wasn’t ready to surrender their crown without a fight. In the 90th minute, Yéremy Pino curled in a stunning free-kick, setting up a nerve-shredding finale. Six minutes of added time felt like an eternity for Macclesfield fans, but their team held firm. When the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted—history had been made.
This was no ordinary cup tie. The result marked the first time since 1909 that the FA Cup holders were knocked out by a non-league side. For Crystal Palace, it was a bitter pill, extending their winless run to nine games and ending their defense of the trophy they so proudly lifted last season. As for Macclesfield, the victory was the culmination of a remarkable journey that began in the second qualifying round, with wins over Atherton Laburnum Rovers, Nantwich Town, Stamford AFC, AFC Totton, and Slough Town.
Yet, beyond the statistics and the fairytale narrative, this win carried a deeper, more poignant meaning for everyone associated with Macclesfield FC. Less than a month before this historic night, the club lost one of its own. Ethan McLeod, a talented and much-loved 21-year-old forward, tragically died in a car accident on December 16, 2025, as he drove home from an away match at Bedford Town. The devastating news sent shockwaves through the squad and the wider community.
In the aftermath, the team rallied together, drawing strength from their shared grief. Manager John Rooney, who has been at the helm during the club’s resurgence, spoke movingly about the impact of Ethan’s loss. In an interview on BBC Breakfast, Rooney revealed, “Since the lads have all come together and we’ve all got through it together. Ethan will always be remembered as part of the Macclesfield family. I’m sure he’ll be part of our journey, and I’m sure he was looking over us on the weekend to give us that little bit of luck.”
Ethan’s parents attended the match against Crystal Palace, joining the squad in celebration after the final whistle. Rooney shared, “I knew they were coming to the game and we’d get to see them after the game. After the game, I walked into my office, and his mum and dad were in the office, and it was a really good moment, something I’d hold with me forever.”
The club’s official tribute to Ethan, released in the days following his passing, captured the essence of what he meant to Macclesfield: “Ethan was an incredibly talented and well-respected member of our First Team Squad, who had his whole life ahead of him. But more than that, Ethan’s infectious personality endeared him to everyone that he came into contact with. In giving his all in everything he did, Ethan effortlessly pushed us all to be the best we can be—both on and off the pitch. Ethan’s professionalism and unwavering work ethic inspired everyone, and his lust for life put smiles on all our faces—even on the darkest of days.”
For Macclesfield, this victory was more than just a footballing miracle. It was a tribute to a lost teammate, a rallying cry for a community that refused to let adversity define them. The Silkmen’s journey back from liquidation to FA Cup giant-killers is a testament to resilience, unity, and the enduring magic of the world’s oldest football competition.
Manager John Rooney, whose tactical acumen has been pivotal in the club’s rise, was quick to praise his players’ spirit and determination. “The boys gave everything. They frustrated a Premier League side, and I couldn’t be prouder. This win is for Ethan, for his family, and for everyone who’s believed in this club since we started again,” Rooney said after the match.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are left to pick up the pieces. Their nine-game winless streak is a cause for concern, and the manner of their exit will sting. Despite making six changes, they fielded a strong lineup, but simply could not break down a Macclesfield side playing with heart and purpose.
The wider football world took notice. Social media buzzed with tributes to Macclesfield’s achievement. TNT Sports summed up the mood: “The lowest-ranked team left in the tournament, knocking out the holders? Upsets don’t come much better than this.”
Looking ahead, Macclesfield’s place in the fourth round is already secured, and the town is buzzing with anticipation. Who knows what’s next for the Silkmen? With the spirit they’ve shown, you wouldn’t bet against another chapter being written in this remarkable story.
For now, though, Macclesfield can bask in the glory of a night when football’s romance was alive and well. Against all odds, they’ve reminded everyone why the FA Cup still matters—and why, sometimes, dreams really do come true.
