John Rooney: Macclesfield deserved incredible cup victory over holders Palace

The non-league side pulled off possibly the greatest shock in the tournament’s history.

Macclesfield FC manager John Rooney celebrates. Piture: Martin Rickett/PA

John Rooney could rightly call his non-league Macclesfield side the better team on the day after they dumped holders Crystal Palace out of the FA Cup in one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history.

National League North Macclesfield, formed five years ago from the ashes of Macclesfield Town, started the day 117 places below Premier League Palace and became the first non-league team in 117 years to beat the FA Cup holders, ironically since then-Southern League side Palace despatched Wolves in 1909.