Inside Macclesfield: How FA Cup giantkillers are plotting another Premier League scalp ahead of Brentford's fourth-round visit to Moss Rose

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In the latest edition of Training Day, Peter Crouch and Joe Cole visited Moss Rose ahead of Macclesfield's crunch FA Cup fourth-round tie against Brentford, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. The National League North side are dreaming of another famous upset having knocked out holders Crystal Palace. Manager John Rooney and owner Robert Smethurst reflect on a rollercoaster few weeks for the town.

Crouch and Cole meet Macclesfield boss Rooney

Video credit: TNT Sports

It was 10am, and Joe Cole was late. Peter Crouch can still feel his Sausage & Egg McMuffin talking to him, but the pair's latest venture back down English football’s rich pyramid has taken them to a place where locals are daring to dream again.

The market town of Macclesfield has lit up this season's Emirates FA Cup, and even this particularly overcast winter morning hasn't dampened the mood.

The latest instalment of TNT Sports’ Training Day could only have taken place at Moss Rose, the site of arguably the greatest FA Cup shock of all time.

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Ever since The Silkmen sent holders Crystal Palace back down the M1, leaving their defence of the famous trophy in tatters, there has been a buzz around this part of Cheshire that even the punctuality - or lack thereof - of two former Premier League stars could not puncture.

John Rooney has guided a side containing a bricklayer, a teacher and a gym owner to seventh in the National League North, having replaced Robbie Savage in the hotseat.

With 24 teams competing in the division alongside the FA Trophy, sixth-tier teams are not typically still in the FA Cup beyond Valentine's Day - but the competition’s romance is alive and well.

The three-day turnaround between games means this interview takes place a full three home fixtures before Brentford make their eagerly anticipated visit on Monday night, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

‘It feels surreal’ – Macclesfield match-winner Buckley-Ricketts on ‘nail-biting’ victory

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In truth, there is only one match on everyone's minds. Rooney has been tasked with managing the emotions of what is to come, but victories in all three home encounters against Bedford Town, Kidderminster Harriers and Leamington reflect a club focused on handling the increased spotlight with composure.

"We've wanted to stay on that high," Rooney told TNT Sports. "I've wondered how we'd turn up for the other games, but we've been outstanding and put in some really good performances since beating Palace. I've just focused on keeping them ready and in the right frame of mind."

Following such a seismic FA Cup giant-killing - vanquishing the conquerors of Manchester City last May - you might forgive Macclesfield’s heroes for a slight drop in intensity returning to the bread and butter of domestic action.

Yet their 2-1 victory over Oliver Glasner’s side, 117 above beneath them, was no smash-and-grab. Rooney’s charges earned their win, and the younger brother of Wayne carries with him the same professionalism of his decorated sibling that underscores his belief that another upset should not be discounted.

Highlights: Macclesfield SHOCK holders Crystal Palace in cupset for the ages

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"The 10-minute period after half-time [against Palace] was massive for us," Rooney continued. "We defended well and played in their half by taking no risks at the back. The lads were outstanding as we didn't have a great amount of time to work on things.

"All I could really do was give them a few words of advice in the dressing room about keeping a mid-block and screening, but it ended up being a few crazy days for me. It was well-deserved.

"It’s a different buzz to when I was a player as you have extra responsibility as a manager. It was better.

"I've got a good relationship with the players, especially those who were here last year, as they know what I'm like as a character."

It is rare that hosting a Premier League club in the fourth round of the world’s oldest domestic cup competition could feel like a comedown, but Macclesfield have already become the first non-league team to knock out the FA Cup holders since 1909.

Given how Brentford have flown since the turn of the year, earning a deserved point against Arsenal last week, Rooney knows Keith Andrews' side will approach Monday night's match fully aware of potential pitfalls.

‘A bit shocked’ – Macclesfield boss Rooney hails team for ‘outstanding’ upset win

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Macclesfield’s opener against Palace came from Paul Dawson’s powerful header - a clear threat Andrews will have drilled into his players given his past work as Brentford's set-piece coach under Thomas Frank.

Yet after Crouch and Cole were put through their paces, it is clear this is far from a one-dimensional outfit. An early possession drill underscored Rooney's preference for keeping the ball predominantly on the deck.

Luke Duffy's pinpoint delivery for Dawson drew gasps from the 5,348 spectators present to witness a piece of FA Cup folklore. The highly rated midfielder, who joined from Warrington Town in 2023, will hope to provide ammunition for another Cinderella story.

"I’m an Everton fan, so I’d love to draw Liverpool away," Duffy told TNT Sports when asked who he would like to see Macclesfield face in round five, prior to kick-off on Monday night. Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, scorer of the second goal against Palace, nodded in agreement alongside him.

Crouch and Cole meet Macclesfield owner Smethurst - 'It helps you build a dream'

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That would be quite the tie, and one owner Robert Smethurst would relish as he enters his sixth year in situ. Smethurst, a local entrepreneur, has overseen the club's resurrection from troubled times.

Macclesfield Town were liquidated in 2020 following financial difficulties and an unpaid tax bill. The club had clung on after relegation from League Two and repeated points deductions, but the phoenix club has risen from the ninth tier and is ready to defy the odds again.

"We've just got bigger and bigger as we've gone along," Smethurst told TNT Sports. "We've had three promotions now, and it’s just a great community club.

"We get 4,000 fans coming through the door on matchdays, which at our level is crazy. When I bought it, I never expected it would be like this. When you get a community like Macclesfield, where everyone is drawn together, it helps you build a dream.

"It was goosebumps [beating Palace], after everything we've done. Getting to that moment, seeing the fans invade the pitch… everyone was partying in the town. To make history was insane."

'It's what dreams are made of' - Macclesfield owner on celebrations after historic win

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The 4G pitch has strengthened the bond with the town, allowing residents to train and play throughout the week, generating revenue and fostering community ties.

Macclesfield's communal spirit extended to the wider football family following the passing of Ethan McLeod, the club’s 21-year-old striker, in a car accident on December 16.

The third-round triumph over Palace was dedicated to him, with images of his family sharing in the post-match dressing-room celebrations a poignant reminder of how football remains the people’s game.

So, can lightning strike twice?

Smethurst added: "Being dead honest, we're looking to make around £400,000 from this game, which will keep this club going for a good couple of years in players' wages.

"The lads are so up for it. Beating Crystal Palace was incredible, but we can dream, can't we?"

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