Macclesfield, a sixth-tier club, made FA Cup history by beating Premier League holders Crystal Palace, leaving Wayne Rooney close to tears
WAYNE Rooney was overcome with emotion after watching his younger brother John mastermind a historic FA Cup giant-killing on Saturday.
John Rooney’s Macclesfield, a sixth-tier club, defeated Premier League holders Crystal Palace 2-1 at Moss Rose.
The victory marks the first time a club from the sixth tier has ever eliminated top-flight opposition in the competition.
The 117-place gap between the clubs in the English football pyramid is the largest ever overcome by an underdog in FA Cup history.
“I’m getting emotional,” said former England captain Wayne Rooney, who was part of the BBC commentary team.
“To see my younger brother, who’s not long been a manager, beat a Premier League team…. I’m so proud.”
He added, “It’s such an achievement. What he’s achieved today, absolutely superb.”
The monumental feat carried extra poignancy following the recent death of Macclesfield forward Ethan McLeod.
The 21-year-old died while driving back from the club’s game at Bedford on December 16.
“I had a nice message off his dad last night,” said manager John Rooney.
“I was to send it to the lads or to tell them before the game, but I didn’t really want to put that little extra bit of pressure on them with everything we’ve been through.”
“So I thought I’d leave that until after the game. We need to go and see them (his parents) as well. It’s been a really tough time.”
He concluded, “We’ve all stuck together through it. It’s never, ever going to get easier. We’ve still got pictures up in the changing rooms that never go.”
