Charlie Brougham has reacted with awe to one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup history, as underdog Macclesfield Town stunned Crystal Palace in a 2-1 victory.
Mr Brougham described the result as “extraordinary,” praising Macclesfield for a remarkable journey from the lower leagues after the club ceased trading in 2020.
Under manager Robbie Savage, the team has battled back through the divisions, playing an exciting brand of football and defying the odds at every step.
He added that despite Palace pulling a late goal, Macclesfield were “worthy winners” and will be hoping for a home tie in the next round, where the support of their fans could help continue their fairytale FA Cup run.
Speaking on GB News, Mr Brougham said: "Let's put it this way, there have been nine non-league wins against top-flight opponents in the past 100 years of the FA Cup, so there you go.
"That probably underlines it right there. Extraordinary result."
He added: "Apparently they were well deserving of their win. They’ve had the most remarkable story. Macclesfield Town, for your listeners who don’t know or follow football, ceased trading in 2020.
"Then local businessman Robert Smethurst bought the club’s assets, and Robbie Savage, the former footballer, joined them as manager.
Charlie Brougham said it is an 'extraordinary result'
|GB NEWS
"They started in the North West Counties Premier Division, right down at the bottom of the standings, but they’ve battled their way through, earning promotion after promotion.
"And they play a really nice brand of football. Also, if you cast your mind back to before Christmas, Ethan McLeod, one of their players, sadly died in a car accident after travelling back from a National League North match at Bedford Town.
"So you know, there’s that, coupled with everything else that’s been going on. It’s a remarkable story."
"It’s one of those stories that, as a sports fan, you just love where the underdog comes through. That’s the essence of the FA Cup.
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Macclesfield have completed the biggest shock in FA Cup history, after they knocked out holder Crystal Palace on Saturday | REUTERS"And don’t forget, they’re managed by John Rooney, the younger brother of former England captain Wayne Rooney. So there’s another little story to weave into this tapestry."
The sixth-tier side pulled off a remarkable 2–1 victory over Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace at their home ground, The Leasing.com Stadium.
Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts scored for Macclesfield, cancelling out a brilliant second-half free-kick from £26 million signing Yeremy Pino.
Mr Dawson, who also captains the team currently 14th in the National League North, was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner admitted he was at a loss following his side’s shock 2–1 defeat to Macclesfield Town.
In a furious post-match interview with the BBC, the Austrian said: “I have no explanation for what I’ve seen today. We give congratulations to Macclesfield for winning. We had no quality today, and I didn’t see anyone capable of winning a dribble. Then we conceded from set pieces at the wrong moments.
“If you can’t create clear chances, it’s a lack of quality, and that’s what we showed today. We deserved to lose.”
Mr Glasner defended his half-time substitutions, which brought on first-team regulars Tyrick Mitchell, Will Hughes, and Brennan Johnson, calling them “quality".
However, he admitted: “We can find excuses, but you don’t need tactics or a manager for these games.
“So I think if you just show what you are capable of and play with pride, then you perform in a completely different way,” he added.
Macclesfield manager John Rooney, brother of Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, was understandably delighted after the upset.
He said: “I can’t believe it. We never thought we would be in this position. We were incredible from the first minute. I thought we were deserved winners. I couldn't be any prouder of the lads. I couldn't have asked any more of them and you can see the joy in them."