Rooney helps a sixth-tier team defeat a Premier League club in the FA Cup

Under the guidance of manager John Rooney, Macclesfield shocked everyone by overcoming Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round, thereby dethroning the defending champions.

English football witnessed yet another shock this season, following the case of Manchester United being knocked out by fourth-tier Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup last August.

Recently, an even bigger surprise occurred when Macclesfield, a team competing in the sixth tier of English football, unexpectedly defeated the current FA Cup champions, Crystal Palace with a 2-1 scoreline in the third round, turning Selhurst Park’s hosts into former champions.

Despite a gap of 117 places between the two teams in the English football league system, Crystal Palace became the first reigning champion to be eliminated by a non-professional side since 1909. Palace showed a completely lackluster performance compared to the squad that won the title last season, the club’s first major trophy.

They were dismantled easily by John Rooney’s Macclesfield, with team captain Paul Dawson playing a key role. Dawson’s header before halftime sparked the shock, followed by Isaac Buckley-Ricketts scoring the second goal in the 60th minute.

After the final whistle, tens of thousands of Macclesfield supporters created a chaotic scene by rushing onto the pitch to celebrate with the players, especially after defeating the reigning FA Cup and Community Shield champions, who also compete in England’s most prestigious competition.

This was Macclesfield’s first appearance in the third round since the club was re-established in 2020. However, their predecessor, Macclesfield Town, had a tradition in the FA Cup, with shocking wins over Bolton and Cardiff.

John Rooney, who came through Macclesfield’s ranks and made one of his early appearances as a substitute against Everton in the 2009 third round, embraced Francis Jeffers, a former Everton player and now his assistant coach, after the match.

Rooney said: "I can’t believe it. I still can’t fully grasp what just happened. Honestly, I’m speechless right now. You can clearly see their joy out there. I never thought this could happen, but in football, there’s always a little hope that anything can occur on match day."

Macclesfield’s shocking victory was also witnessed by his brother, former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney. Wayne was moved and told BBC that he was “extremely proud.”

Praising his brother’s composure, Wayne said: “I knew he was just waiting for the final whistle, but in the end, he just turned around and calmly celebrated with the coaching staff. He looked very composed, and I don’t understand why.

But I have to say, it’s a huge achievement. What he accomplished today was truly outstanding.”