Thought For The Day – Thursday 15th January 2026
Silk and Steel
On Saturday 17th May 2025, on a sunny day at Wembley in North London, the men’s team of Crystal Palace Football Club won their first domestic trophy, defeating the mighty Manchester City. In so doing, Crystal Palace qualified for European competition. The Eagles Dared. We featured this on our daily message then.
In Saturday 10th January 2026, on a sunny day at the “Moss Rose” football ground in Macclesfield, Cheshire, Crystal Palace, the men’s F.A. Cup holders and Premier League team, were defeated by Macclesfield Football Club, of the National League North, six divisions, and 117 places, below the Eagles. Macclesfield Football Club re-formed in 2020. Phoenix from the ashes. They have risen through the leagues since.
Saturday’s result was the first time the men’s F.A. Cup holders have been beaten by a non-league team since the then non-league and very same Crystal Palace defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 117 years ago. History coming full circle once again. “Some things are just meant to be”, as presenter Mark Chapman said on the B.B.C. coverage.
As the internationally respected Crystal Palace manager recognised, it was a very well-deserved victory from Macclesfield. It was proof once again that with heart and desire anything in possible, in sport, in examinations, in life. Speaking of the brilliant Crystal Palace defender and captain, the B.B.C. commentator said: “Mark Guehi will likely play for England at the World Cup this summer and will be caused fewer problems than Macclesfield have given him today.” “The Magic of the Cup”. Always believe. One of Macclesfield’s players returned to his job this week as a Primary School teacher. Local heroes have become national heroes.
In the next round, Macclesfield have been drawn, at home, to Brentford, a Premier League team also having a great season.
Saturday was a particularly poignant occasion for the “Silkmen” of “Macc.”, so called after the town’s historic and prominent place in the silk industry. In December, one of their players, Ethan McLeod, died in car accident, driving home after a match. Ethan was 21 years-of-age. The manager of Macclesfield, John Rooney, brother of Wayne, telephoned each player personally to convey the devastating news beyond words. There are pictures of Ethan around the stadium. On Saturday, there was a banner of Ethan between the two technical areas. After winning against Crystal Palace, John Rooney’s first thought was for Ethan’s parents, who were at the game. They had given the team a message, which John Rooney decided to read out after the match, so as not to put too much pressure on the players. John Rooney said Ethan would always be with them on their journey.
On Macclesfield’s victory, the more famous Wayne Rooney, covering the match for the B.B.C., was in tears for his younger brother John. One sensed that it meant more to Wayne than all his glittering trophies put together. Family ties.
In defeat, the Crystal Palace supporters were outstanding. They applauded the Macclesfield supporters as they celebrated on the pitch after “the final whistle”. A gracious gesture. A class club. Palace had had their royal moment at Wembley. They recognised this was Macclesfield’s time, moment, and history.
In closing their coverage of the statistically biggest ever F.A. Cup shock, the B.B.C., over a montage of the game, played a classic song written by a band, some of whose members heralded from Macclesfield, called “Love Will Tear Us Apart”.
On Saturday 10th January, at the Moss Rose Ground in Macclesfield, Sport, community, love, and joy, brought people together. With people looking down from above. Memories forever and a day.
BBC iPlayer – The FA Cup – 2025/26: Third Round: Macclesfield v Crystal Palace
