Isobel Frire,in MacclesfieldAnd
Angela Ferguson,Northwest
PA MediaMacclesfield fans, delighted and barely believing, are celebrating as their team has pulled off the biggest shock in the long and storied history of the FA Cup.
The Silkmen, who play in the sixth tier of English football, beat cup holders and Premier League stalwarts Crystal Palace 2-1 at the Leasing.Com Stadium to reach the fourth round.
Congratulatory messages immediately flooded in on social media, including one from Macclesfield Town Council, which read: “Amazing job, guys!
After the victory, Macclesfield FC – ranked 117 places behind Palace in the football pyramid – posted on social media: “It was David who beat Goliath against all odds!”
The council added: “Have you ever gotten up off the ground?! To the whole team and every member of staff – well done!!!”
Former England captain Wayne Rooney, whose younger brother John Rooney manages the team, said: “I couldn’t be more proud of my brother John.
“Well done to everyone at Macclesfield. An incredible achievement and more than deserved.”
The city’s Labor MP Tim Roca said on social media that the result was “football history”, alongside a photo of the scoreboard on the ground.
Fan Sue Smith said: “Never be afraid to dream and believe. What a result, what a team. Beyond pride and into a state of emotion.”
Fellow Macc fan Dean Howard agreed, saying “Come in!! Against all odds!”, while Sarah Evans-Iles said: “Absolutely incredible, Macclesfield FC knocked out the holders from the FA Cup.”
PA MediaReflecting on the death of striker Ethan McLeod in a car crash while returning from Macclesfield’s National League North match at Bedford Town in December, Gemma Jackson said: “That was for Ethan, congratulations.”
Edwina Darlow said: “You have made Ethan proud!
A photo of McLeod was hung between the dugouts and a banner honoring him was also placed in the Moss Rose stands during the match.
The 21-year-old’s parents were in attendance, with John Rooney telling BBC Sport they were celebrating the victory with the club.
He said he told McLeod’s parents that their son was watching them.
PA MediaCaptain Paul Dawson’s mother, Paula Hunt, said: “So proud of the whole team…but super proud of my son Paul Dawson. Well done boy.”
Goalkeeper Max Dearnley’s father, Anthony Dearnley, said “it shows anything can happen” and he was “absolutely delighted for Max”.
“Right before the game he said ‘we can do it and we can win it’ and he was so confident we would do it,” he added.
East Cheshire NHS Trust posted: “Congratulations to Macclesfield FC on your FA Cup victory today!”
Crystal Palace fan John Athawes said: “Great play at 6th tier Macclesfield – FA Cup magic, eh?!
“No complaints, you more than deserved the victory – and we Palace fans have enjoyed some wonderful underdog triumphs ourselves over the decades, most notably at Wembley last May.
“Enjoy it – and keep the dream alive!”
The town’s Silk Museum, which houses a collection celebrating 150 years of football in Macclesfield, said: “Congratulations to Macclesfield FC on your historic victory!”
Ali Wills was at Macclesfield Indoor Market when news of the victory broke and said: “I bet the whole of Macclesfield heard us shouting in the market.”
The town’s Hannah’s Place cafe said: “Well done Macclesfield FC! What an absolutely incredible result.”
