"It's just surreal": jubilant Macclesfield fans reflect on FA Cup heroics
As Macclesfield FC players prepare to return to their day jobs on Monday, they will have earned a new title: giant-killers. The Cheshire market town club pulled off the greatest shock in FA Cup history, knocking out Premier League team Crystal Palace and becoming the first non-league opposition to beat cupholders since 1909.
For lifelong fan Richard Snape, watching his beloved Silkmen at Moss Rose Stadium on Sunday was a dream come true. "Last night I kept thinking I'm just going to wake up and it's all a dream," he said, still trying to process the enormity of their achievement. "It's unbelievable. I still haven't got over it, to be honest." For Snape, who has been supporting Macclesfield since 1987, this victory was a phoenix-like rise from oblivion, just five years after the club was wound up and sold on the property website Rightmove.
The celebrations lasted long into the night, with many of Macclesfield's jubilant players out until the early hours celebrating with fans. The town was packed with pubs, with even Crystal Palace fans joining in the festivities. "I heard one walking down the high street singing: 'We were shit, we were shit, we were shit,'" said Tom Broadhead, whose father was at the game on Saturday and compared the atmosphere to Live Aid rather than a football match.
Macclesfield's triumph was all the more poignant as it came only weeks after the death of their 21-year-old forward, Ethan McLeod, in a car accident on the way back from a game. The team's captain, Paul Dawson, a former highway supervisor who now works for a friend's candle business, scored two goals and led his side to victory.
"It was another level," said Bob Trafford, the club's head of sponsorships, trying to piece together the night before. "I can't remember it. The politically correct answer is: we celebrated." For Trafford, this achievement would outlive him and his fellow players. "What we did will outlive us all," he said. "When we're dead and gone, people will still reflect on that day. That's the closest thing to immortality you will ever get."
For fans like Lorraine Chapman, who moved to Macclesfield from New Zealand, this victory is a testament to the town's spirit. "Rob Smethurst knows our names, the players know our names," she said, referring to the club's local businessman owner. "Before Christmas, there were nearly 2,000 kids out on the pitch – that's what it's all about. I don't think you would get that at the big clubs."
Macclesfield's success has also inspired confidence across the town. Tom Broadhead hopes the FA Cup heroics will prove infectious and inspire confidence: "It's about the art of the possible. The fact that we can strive and achieve great things with a positive attitude, even in very adverse circumstances – that goes further than just the football club."
As Macclesfield FC players prepare to return to their day jobs on Monday, they will have earned a new title: giant-killers. The Cheshire market town club pulled off the greatest shock in FA Cup history, knocking out Premier League team Crystal Palace and becoming the first non-league opposition to beat cupholders since 1909.
For lifelong fan Richard Snape, watching his beloved Silkmen at Moss Rose Stadium on Sunday was a dream come true. "Last night I kept thinking I'm just going to wake up and it's all a dream," he said, still trying to process the enormity of their achievement. "It's unbelievable. I still haven't got over it, to be honest." For Snape, who has been supporting Macclesfield since 1987, this victory was a phoenix-like rise from oblivion, just five years after the club was wound up and sold on the property website Rightmove.
The celebrations lasted long into the night, with many of Macclesfield's jubilant players out until the early hours celebrating with fans. The town was packed with pubs, with even Crystal Palace fans joining in the festivities. "I heard one walking down the high street singing: 'We were shit, we were shit, we were shit,'" said Tom Broadhead, whose father was at the game on Saturday and compared the atmosphere to Live Aid rather than a football match.
Macclesfield's triumph was all the more poignant as it came only weeks after the death of their 21-year-old forward, Ethan McLeod, in a car accident on the way back from a game. The team's captain, Paul Dawson, a former highway supervisor who now works for a friend's candle business, scored two goals and led his side to victory.
"It was another level," said Bob Trafford, the club's head of sponsorships, trying to piece together the night before. "I can't remember it. The politically correct answer is: we celebrated." For Trafford, this achievement would outlive him and his fellow players. "What we did will outlive us all," he said. "When we're dead and gone, people will still reflect on that day. That's the closest thing to immortality you will ever get."
For fans like Lorraine Chapman, who moved to Macclesfield from New Zealand, this victory is a testament to the town's spirit. "Rob Smethurst knows our names, the players know our names," she said, referring to the club's local businessman owner. "Before Christmas, there were nearly 2,000 kids out on the pitch – that's what it's all about. I don't think you would get that at the big clubs."
Macclesfield's success has also inspired confidence across the town. Tom Broadhead hopes the FA Cup heroics will prove infectious and inspire confidence: "It's about the art of the possible. The fact that we can strive and achieve great things with a positive attitude, even in very adverse circumstances – that goes further than just the football club."
i mean macclesfield fc going all the way to knock out crystal palace is insane, like they were the underdogs for sure! 
but what's crazy is that this happened after the team was wound up and sold five years ago... it's like they got a second chance and made the most of it 
. and can you imagine being a fan from new zealand who just moved to macclesfield and now they're experiencing this? that must be so exciting for her! 
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... I mean, Macclesfield beating Crystal Palace is insane! As an avid football fan, it's crazy to think about a non-league team making history like this. But at the same time, you have to wonder if this is just a fluke or if they've got something special brewing.
. It's not just about the football, it's about the people behind it.
. And what a tribute to Ethan McLeod, who sadly passed away recently - his memory lives on through this amazing achievement 
.
Who would've thought a non-league team could take down a Premier League powerhouse like Crystal Palace? 
I mean, I know they've got spirit and all, but this is on another level! 
They're basically giant-killers now! 
I'm shipping Rob Smethurst and the club all day, erry day! 
This FA Cup victory is going to be remembered for ages, and I couldn't be more hyped! 
They're literally giant-killers 
. It's so beautiful to see fans coming together like that 
The team's captain, Paul Dawson, is a total hero for keeping the faith and leading his side to victory 
! #MacclesfieldFC #GiantKillers #CommunitySpirit #PositiveVibesOnly
macclesfield fc going all the way in the fa cup is literally insane! they've been through so much and to come out on top like that is just...wow. it's not just about the football, it's about the community coming together as one 
and to think they've still got that forward who passed away just weeks ago...it's a real testament to the team's spirit and dedication 
Their fans are truly amazing, and it's clear that the community has come together to support each other. The atmosphere at the game must have been electric! 
It's amazing to see a non-league team come out on top and bring joy to their community in the process 
And let's be real, it's pretty cool that the Crystal Palace fans were singing their own team's praises in pubs all over town 
but it just shows that even in the toughest times, we can still come together & achieve greatness as a team! 
The Macclesfield FC victory is the greatest shock in FA Cup history since 1909 
. Crystal Palace was beaten by a non-league team for the first time ever 
.
Macclesfield FC has a population of around 45,000 people, with 22% of them supporting the team 
What can we learn from this success story? Well, for starters, it shows that even in adverse circumstances (financial struggles), a positive attitude and determination can lead to greatness 
️. And their ticket prices are often lower than other teams in the same league 
.
. Macclesfield FC has become an integral part of the town's identity, with fans from all over supporting them 
.
Mark my words: this FA Cup victory will be remembered for generations to come 
!