Macclesfield's FA Cup Triumph: A Historic Victory
"Did that just really happen?"
Two days after Macclesfield's remarkable FA Cup third-round victory over Crystal Palace, the significance of the moment is still settling in for manager John Rooney.
The Silkmen, competing in the sixth tier of English football, achieved one of the greatest upsets in the competition's history with a 2-1 win against their Premier League opponents, who are also the reigning champions.
"Did I ever think we would get the win and progress to the next round? No, I probably didn’t," Rooney told BBC Breakfast. "There was always a glimmer of hope, and the FA Cup is known for its unpredictable moments. I felt we were the deserving winners, and credit goes to the lads; they were absolutely outstanding."
Following the match, Rooney celebrated with his players, who continued their festivities into the night.
However, he was brought back to reality with an early wake-up call from his children. "I woke up on Sunday to my kids asking me to take them to football," he recounted. "You do think, 'Did that just really happen?' but then you watch the videos and realize how fantastic it was. The scenes and the fans were incredible; seeing them on the pitch after the match highlighted how much it means to them."
Rooney, who played for Macclesfield before taking over as manager in July 2024, is the younger brother of England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney. Wayne was present at the Moss Rose on Saturday and was visibly emotional at the final whistle.
"It was a special day, especially having him there for the game," John Rooney said. "Talking to him before and after meant a lot. Having my family there, including my wife and kids, was wonderful. My little boy was actually on the pitch after the second goal, and I didn’t realize until I got home and saw the footage. It was a surreal day."
Looking ahead, Macclesfield hopes for more memorable moments in the cup. "Fingers crossed we get a favorable draw tonight and face another Premier League side," Rooney said.
Macclesfield is the only non-league team remaining in the FA Cup and will find out their fourth-round opponents in Monday's draw, scheduled for around 18:35 GMT.
There is no time for Rooney's team to dwell on their historic win, as they return to FA Trophy action on Tuesday with a match against Woking. Due to several league matches being postponed because of their FA Cup run and recent poor weather, the Silkmen face a busy schedule with eight matches before their fourth-round tie.
"We’re back to it tomorrow in the FA Trophy," Rooney noted. "We have a packed schedule ahead, with Saturday-Tuesday fixtures until the end of the season."
Cup Hero on Saturday, Back to Reality on Monday
Playing in the National League North, Macclesfield's players are part-time, and defender Sam Heathcote is among those balancing football with a day job. The 28-year-old transitioned from competing against players like Brennan Johnson and Yeremy Pino on Saturday to returning to his role as a PE teacher at Stamford Park Primary School in Altrincham on Monday.
"Straight back to it this morning, back down to reality," the centre-back told BBC Breakfast. "I’m looking forward to seeing the kids. Last week, I joked with them that if we conceded anything less than 10 goals, we would be happy, and they all laughed. When they watched our previous match against Slough, one of the kids reminded me I gave away a penalty instead of celebrating our win. A few of them will be excited, especially the older ones who are really getting into football."
Heathcote joined the Silkmen in the summer of 2023 and has managed to combine his teaching responsibilities with training twice a week. He teaches children aged three to eleven and hopes that their victory over Crystal Palace can inspire his students.
"It shows that anyone can be an underdog in any story; you can achieve your dreams, and what seems impossible might just become a reality, as we saw on Saturday," he expressed. "I never thought I’d be in this position, coming back on a Monday after winning that game. I’m still in disbelief; it’s amazing. I’m so happy for everyone involved in creating this piece of history. We’ll try to enjoy it for as long as possible, but I know the manager’s mindset, and we’ll be back to work tomorrow night."