Macclesfield FC has pulled off the greatest shock in FA Cup history, knocking out Premier League team Crystal Palace and becoming the first non-league opposition to beat cupholders since 1909. The Cheshire market town club's part-time squad of PE teachers, podcasters, and property developers will add one more title: giant-killers.
The victory caps a phoenix-like rise from oblivion barely five years after Macclesfield Town FC was wound up by the high court with debts of over £500,000. Lifelong fan Richard Snape, who has been watching his beloved Silkmen since 1987, was back at the 6,000-capacity Moss Rose Stadium on Sunday to buy souvenir scarves and check if it was all just a dream. "Last night I kept thinking I'm just going to wake up and it's all a dream," he said. "It's unbelievable. I still haven't got over it, to be honest. For quite a few days now, it will just be surreal."
The team's heroics were led by captain Paul Dawson, who scored the only goal of the game despite being injured just minutes after coming on. Macclesfield's triumph was all the more poignant as it came only weeks after the death of their 21-year-old forward, Ethan McLeod, in a car accident on the way back from a game.
The celebrations lasted long into the night, with many of Macclesfield's jubilant players out until the early hours celebrating with fans. The town was packed with pubs and even Crystal Palace fans joined in the celebrations, with one fan heard singing "We were shit, we were shit, we were shit." Tom Broadhead, a 35-year-old local who designs and sells merchandise bearing his hometown's name and heritage, proudly showed off a Macclesfield FC jumper with a scarf embroidered across the front. He hopes the FA Cup heroics will prove infectious and inspire confidence across the town.
Macclesfield's manager, John Rooney, said: "What we did will outlive us all." The club's head of sponsorships, Bob Trafford, echoed this sentiment, saying that the victory was a reward for all the hard work. As one fan noted, Macclesfield FC is no longer just about football - it's about the art of the possible and striving to achieve great things despite adversity.
The victory caps a phoenix-like rise from oblivion barely five years after Macclesfield Town FC was wound up by the high court with debts of over £500,000. Lifelong fan Richard Snape, who has been watching his beloved Silkmen since 1987, was back at the 6,000-capacity Moss Rose Stadium on Sunday to buy souvenir scarves and check if it was all just a dream. "Last night I kept thinking I'm just going to wake up and it's all a dream," he said. "It's unbelievable. I still haven't got over it, to be honest. For quite a few days now, it will just be surreal."
The team's heroics were led by captain Paul Dawson, who scored the only goal of the game despite being injured just minutes after coming on. Macclesfield's triumph was all the more poignant as it came only weeks after the death of their 21-year-old forward, Ethan McLeod, in a car accident on the way back from a game.
The celebrations lasted long into the night, with many of Macclesfield's jubilant players out until the early hours celebrating with fans. The town was packed with pubs and even Crystal Palace fans joined in the celebrations, with one fan heard singing "We were shit, we were shit, we were shit." Tom Broadhead, a 35-year-old local who designs and sells merchandise bearing his hometown's name and heritage, proudly showed off a Macclesfield FC jumper with a scarf embroidered across the front. He hopes the FA Cup heroics will prove infectious and inspire confidence across the town.
Macclesfield's manager, John Rooney, said: "What we did will outlive us all." The club's head of sponsorships, Bob Trafford, echoed this sentiment, saying that the victory was a reward for all the hard work. As one fan noted, Macclesfield FC is no longer just about football - it's about the art of the possible and striving to achieve great things despite adversity.
! I mean I've been following this team since they were in div 3 and you'd think they're a joke now 
but nope, these guys are on fire 
! It's amazing for the town too, it's brought everyone together. I was there at Moss Rose on Sunday and it was like nothing I've ever seen before 
. The atmosphere was electric and the fans were going wild 
. And can we talk about Paul Dawson? What a legend he is 
. His injury could've been so much worse but he still manages to score the winning goal 
. It's definitely not just about the football, it's about the spirit of the town 
and I'm so hyped for them now 
It's all about the underdog story, you know? And to make it even more amazing, they did it just weeks after losing their young forward Ethan McLeod in a car accident 
. That makes it an even bigger achievement, imo. The celebrations are totally justified too - who wouldn't want to party with a giant-killing team like that? 
... like, I mean, it's a big win and all, but 1909 was actually a really important year for English football history? 
Did they even play in the FA Cup back then? Maybe they just wanted to make themselves sound more legendary than they are 
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. That's a bit dramatic if you ask me... also, Paul Dawson was injured like 2 minutes into the game? How did he even get on the field then? 
. They're still just a bunch of part-time players playing in a league they shouldn't be in. Don't get me wrong, it's awesome that they pulled off the win and all, but I'm just keeping things real, you feel? 
This is like something out of a movie! I'm literally speechless right now. Macclesfield FC going up against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup? It's like David vs Goliath, but they came out on top! 
I'm sure Ethan McLeod would be proud too (RIP). This is like a fairy tale for the town of Macclesfield! 
Can't wait to see what's next for these underdogs! 
. the fact that ethan mcleod passed away is sad but we should be celebrating their win for the community, not just the team 
. it's a great feel-good story and i'm happy for the fans but lets keep things in perspective 
they actually did it lol macclesfield is like the ultimate underdog story i'm shook that they beat crystal palace on the cup holders...it's crazy how far this small town has come from being in debt £500k just 5 years ago 
The team's determination and resilience are truly inspiring, especially after losing one of their own players just weeks ago 
The team's underdog story is so inspiring - from being wound up by the high court just 5 years ago to becoming giant-killers now. It's like they say, "the art of the possible" 
!
. You can feel the emotions and pride of their fans, especially Richard Snape who's been supporting them since 1987 
. It's not just about the football, though - this win has brought the whole town together 
. Macclesfield FC's manager, John Rooney, is right - this win will outlast us all 
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. This will inspire confidence in their town and get everyone talking about Macclesfield FC again 
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but i guess you could say they've proved all the naysayers wrong now. 
the fact that they were led by a player who scored the winning goal despite being injured just minutes after coming on is just mental 
but i guess that's what makes this victory so special 
. One of these days they'll get exposed as a bunch of part-time amateurs playing with borrowed equipment. The fact that Crystal Palace got knocked out doesn't even surprise me, they've been struggling for years anyway 
️. And what's with all the hype about Macclesfield FC being giant-killers? They were just lucky, plain and simple. Paul Dawson scoring the goal while injured is exactly what I'd expect from a team that's been coasting on mediocrity. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to see them have some success for once, but I'm not holding my breath for a repeat performance