On a crisp January afternoon at Moss Rose, the football world witnessed a true fairytale as Macclesfield, a mid-table side from the National League North, toppled reigning FA Cup holders Crystal Palace in a 2-1 thriller that will echo through the annals of the competition. The mastermind behind this seismic upset? None other than John Rooney, who has only recently taken the managerial reins at Macclesfield, and whose famous older brother, Wayne Rooney, watched on in disbelief and pride from the BBC Sport punditry desk.
The storylines were irresistible from the outset. Macclesfield, languishing 117 places below their Premier League opponents in the English football pyramid, had already overcome significant odds just to reach this third-round clash. But nobody—perhaps not even the most optimistic Silkmen supporter—could have predicted the drama that would unfold.
Paul Dawson, Macclesfield’s inspirational captain, set the tone for the day. In the first half, he rose above the Palace defense to meet a set-piece, powering home a header that sent the home crowd into raptures. Dawson, who would finish the match with a bandage wrapped around his head, embodied the gritty determination of his side. "I thought every player was brilliant but I thought Dawson was outstanding. He led the team superbly," Wayne Rooney remarked on air, his voice thick with emotion.
Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled Macclesfield’s lead after the break, capitalizing on a swift counter-attack and sending the Moss Rose faithful into dreamland. As the minutes ticked by, the Premier League giants grew increasingly desperate, but Macclesfield’s defense held firm. The tension was palpable, and when Yeremy Pino curled a free kick past the Macclesfield keeper in the 90th minute, hearts were in mouths across the stadium.
Crystal Palace threw everything forward in the dying moments, but Macclesfield refused to buckle. The final whistle triggered scenes of unbridled joy: fans flooded the pitch, players collapsed in exhaustion and elation, and, on the touchline, Wayne Rooney could barely contain his tears. "It’s incredible to see my younger brother achieve this," Wayne said, his pride unmistakable. "He has not long been the manager. I am so proud of him. What he’s achieved today, absolutely superb."
For John Rooney, the victory was almost too surreal to process. Having only hung up his boots at the end of last season, the 35-year-old was thrust into his first managerial role in July 2025, following a successful playing spell that saw him help Macclesfield secure promotion as Northern Premier League champions. Now, just months into his tenure, he had masterminded a result that will be spoken of for generations.
"I can’t believe it, we never thought we would be in this position," John admitted during an emotional pitchside interview alongside his brother. "We were incredible from the first minute. I thought we were deserved winners. I couldn’t be any prouder of the lads. I couldn’t have asked any more of them and you can see the joy in them."
Macclesfield’s journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. The club was liquidated in 2020, ending a proud history stretching back to 1874. Yet, out of the ashes, a phoenix club emerged, climbing three divisions in four seasons to reclaim their place in the National League North. The appointment of John Rooney marked a new chapter, one now defined by perhaps the most famous victory in the club’s modern history.
The FA Cup has always been a stage for the underdog, but this result stands among its greatest shocks. For context, Macclesfield had already dispatched AFC Totton and Slough Town to reach this round, but beating Crystal Palace—a team packed with internationals and boasting vastly superior resources—was a different proposition entirely. Yet, they outworked, outthought, and ultimately outlasted their illustrious visitors.
John Rooney’s tactical approach was spot-on. The message at halftime was clear: manage the game, slow things down, and frustrate the Premier League side. "When we got later on in the game, we were thinking about slowing it down. I never thought we’d be in that situation. We still can’t believe it. I can’t get my head around it," John reflected. "We nullified them to one chance in the first half. I thought we were incredible to a man."
Paul Dawson, whose name will now be etched into Macclesfield folklore, was quick to credit the team’s discipline and the club’s community spirit. "I felt like we kept our shape really well and they didn’t make very much. The gaffer gave us a game plan and we all stuck to it and got where we wanted to be. Macclesfield means the world to me. It’s an immense achievement. I am proud of the boys and proud of the fans. It’s a really big community club," Dawson told the BBC.
Even the pre-match atmosphere reflected the unique occasion. Wayne Rooney, one of English football’s most recognizable figures, was greeted with cheeky chants from the home crowd. John Rooney couldn’t resist a bit of banter himself, joking with BBC host Mark Chapman about the good-natured ribbing his brother received from the stands. The sense of family, both literal and figurative, was everywhere.
As the dust settled, Macclesfield’s reward was a place in the fourth round draw—ball number 30, with dreams of another giant-killing adventure. The draw is set for January 12, just before Liverpool’s clash with Barnsley, and anticipation is already building in this corner of Cheshire.
For Wayne Rooney, who has managed clubs like Derby County, D.C. United, Birmingham City, and Plymouth Argyle, the day was about more than football. It was about family, resilience, and the magic that only the FA Cup can conjure. "He looked so calm towards the end. I know he wanted the referee to blow his whistle but, at the end, he just turned round and did a little fist pump to the bench. He looked calm. I don’t know how. But, you know, it’s such an achievement. What he’s achieved today, absolutely superb," Wayne said, summing up the emotions of everyone connected with Macclesfield.
As Macclesfield look ahead to the next round, one thing is clear: this is a club reborn, a manager making his mark, and a family story that has captured the hearts of football fans everywhere. The FA Cup’s magic endures—and, for now, it shines brightest in Macclesfield.
