How a phoenix football club shocked the world by toppling Premier League giants
In short: After the 2020 liquidation of Macclesfield Town, a new club rose from the ashes of the historic Moss Rose stadium. In just five years, this phoenix side climbed the English football pyramid, culminating in a historic 2026 FA Cup victory that stunned the reigning champions and captured global attention.
Founded in 1874, Macclesfield Town was expelled from the National League in 2020 following debts exceeding £500,000. The club's collapse left the Moss Rose stadium vacant until Robert Smethurst, owner of Stockport Town, purchased the assets to launch Macclesfield F.C. as a successor. With Robbie Savage appointed to the board and Danny Whitaker as manager, the new entity aimed to restore professional football to the town, investing heavily in stadium upgrades to ensure commercial viability.
The club's ascent was rapid. Joining the North West Counties Premier Division in 2021, Macclesfield secured three promotions in four seasons. By 2025, they were crowned Northern Premier League champions, reaching the sixth tier of English football. This momentum carried into the 2026 FA Cup, where they achieved a monumental 2–1 victory over reigning holders Crystal Palace. This result marked the first time a sixth-tier team defeated a top-tier side in the competition's history, a feat widely regarded as the biggest shock in the tournament's long existence.
Despite this success, the club has faced significant internal turbulence. In June 2026, co-owner Robert Smethurst was suspended following his arrest on suspicion of controlling and coercive behaviour, leading to his resignation as a director in August 2026. The club also endured profound tragedy in December 2025, when forward Ethan McLeod died in a car accident, prompting the retirement of his number 20 shirt. Today, the club continues to play at the historic Moss Rose, now known as the Leasing.com Stadium, maintaining a capacity of 5,350 as it navigates the challenges of the National League North.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Macclesfield F.C.
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