Did it really happen? Macclesfield FA Cup upset 'beyond our wildest dreams'

Nursing sore heads the morning after the night before and still sporting the huge grins made famous by the cats of their native Cheshire, Macclesfield FC fans say their team's "beyond our wildest dreams" FA Cup victory will be the talk of the town for years.

Club chairman Rob Smethurst said his players were out "partying" until 04:00 GMT and the town's bars were "absolutely full" with dancing fans.

The Silkmen, who play in the sixth tier of English football, beat FA Cup holders and Premier League side Crystal Palace 2-1 at the Leasing.Com Stadium on Saturday to reach the fourth round of the famous old competition.

Following the win, Macclesfield FC - ranked 117 places below Palace in the football pyramid - posted on social media: "It's David who beat Goliath against all odds!"

The Silkmen will find out their fourth round opponents on Monday, before the final match of round three between Liverpool and Barnsley at Anfield.

Lifelong fan Ellie Thomason told BBC Radio 5 Live her club's victory - witnessed by about 5,000 supporters who crammed into every inch of the stadium as well as millions of viewers on BBC One - had been a "once in a lifetime experience".

Ellie said it was "one that we will never forget - everyone in the town was talking about it. It was amazing."

Fellow Macc fan John Clarke, who has been supporting the club for more than 60 years, said it was "beyond our wildest dreams".

He added: "The whole town has been buzzing about the draw.

"When that first goal went in, it was bedlam."

With Palace pulling a goal back in the 90th minute, the Silkmen had to endure stoppage time when the clock seemed to stand still.

"The last five minutes was hell," said John, who paid tribute to the visiting fans who had made the long journey up to Cheshire from south London.

"It was a wonderful day," he said. "The Palace fans were magnificent - they were a credit to the club."

Smethurst said the victory was "absolutely incredible" and the scenes "were just something I've never experienced in my life."

He added: "It was just amazing for Macclesfield.

"I know the lads were partying until 3, 4 o'clock in the morning.

"The bars were absolutely full, there was people dancing in Macclesfield."

The club said it would host a live screening of the fourth round draw just after 18:30 GMT on Monday at a bar in the stadium which overlooks the pitch.

Saturday was also a very poignant day for everyone connected with the non-league club.

Their 21-year-old forward Ethan McLeod was killed in a car accident while travelling back from Macclesfield's National League North match at Bedford Town in December.

A picture of McLeod was hung between the dugouts and a banner paying tribute to him was also placed in the stands at the stadium - still known to many fans as Moss Rose - during the game.

Manager John Rooney described meeting McLeod's parents after the Crystal Palace game.

"I just walked in the office and [they] are in the office celebrating with us.

"I said to his parents: 'He is definitely watching down on us today. I feel he is here with us.'

"To have his mum and dad here - to come into the changing room, to come into the office. That means so much to me."

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