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Football Weekly The greatest upset in FA Cup history: Football Weekly
Jan 12, 2026
John Brewin, an experienced football journalist with a personal connection to Macclesfield, shares insights on the sixth-tier club's historic 2-1 upset over Palace. He highlights the civic pride and community revival thanks to Rob Smithers' investment. Sam Dalling adds emotional depth, recounting the stories behind the win, including Ethan McLeod's impact. The discussion also covers other shocking FA Cup results, including Manchester United's woes and Tottenham's struggles, offering a comprehensive look at the tournament's surprises.
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Phoenix Club Triumphs
- Macclesfield, a phoenix club, beat holders Crystal Palace 2-1 in a historic FA Cup upset that revived civic pride.
- John Brewin describes the rescue of the club, owner Rob Smithers' investment, and the emotional celebration after the win.
Record-Breaking FA Cup Shock
- The result is statistically the biggest FA Cup upset with 117 league places between the teams.
- Barry Glendenning and John Brewin stress this ranks among the classic cup shocks and cannot be diminished by squad selection excuses.
Tragedy And Togetherness
- The Macclesfield story had extra poignancy after the recent death of Ethan McLeod and the club's tribute resonated across the squad.
- Sam Dalling and Barry Glendenning highlighted John Rooney's compassionate handling and the emotional win for the manager and town.