Macclesfield FC’s extraordinary run in the Emirates FA Cup was marked by another memorable moment this week as the trophy visited the club ahead of Monday night’s fourth round clash with Premier League side Brentford.
The National League North side have fought their way through six rounds of this season’s competition, having started their campaign in the second qualifying round in September last year.
Their third round clash against the holder Crystal Palace produced one of the biggest upsets of all time, winning 2-1 to become the first non-League team to knock out the defending champions since 1909 (when Crystal Palace themselves coincidentally defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers). The result also etched the club’s name into the record books as the first sixth-tier team to defeat a top division club in the history of the competition.
Speaking on the famous win against the Eagles, the Silkmen’s manager John Rooney said: “The Crystal Palace game was a special day for everyone involved with Macclesfield, and taking this special club into the fourth round of the FA Cup means a lot to me. The FA Cup is a worldwide tournament - everybody watches it - and after a result like that people all across the globe now know about Macclesfield.”
Now preparing for their first ever appearance in the fourth round, they face another huge contest under the lights as Brentford make the trip to Cheshire.
With a packed home crowd expected and a giant killing already under their belt, Macclesfield FC will look to defy the odds again and continue the fairytale by reaching the fifth round.
John Rooney added: “We’re massive underdogs – there’s no question about that – but against Crystal Palace the lads were outstanding and fully deserved winners. Brentford are a top, top side, but if we can perform then anything can happen.”
Macclesfield owner and chairman, Rob Smethurst, was also in attendance and is relishing the opportunity to face elite opposition once more.
Speaking about what the cup has done for the club so far, Rob said: “It’s been unbelievable, not just for the club but for the town as well – it’s put us on the map. What’s been so nice is seeing what this run has done for the fans and seeing the enjoyment on people’s faces. Financially it’s also been huge for us, and that will have a massive impact for the club moving forward.”
Macclesfield v Brentford will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ at 7.30pm on Monday 16 February, and further broadcast details for the fourth round are available here. Before the game, the Silkmen will learn their fifth round opponents should they manage to create even more history, with the draw taking place on TNT Sports at approximately 6.35pm.
