Phoenix club are lowest-ranked in third round and could have sold hundreds more tickets for visit of holders Crystal Palace
I
n the corner of a small dressing room Macclesfield’s manager, John Rooney, and his assistant Francis Jeffers are locked in serious conversation. The pair scribble on tiny pieces of paper, planning one final training session before Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie with the holders, Crystal Palace. The kit man, Ged Coyne, clutching his traditional plastic bag full of supermarket goodies, arrives and immediately the mood lightens, shoulders drop and smiles arrive.
Next door music blasts out as the squad prepare for their morning’s work. The surrounds are unfamiliar, snow necessitating a late venue switch to Manchester Metropolitan University’s Platt Lane complex.
In an alternative universe, Rooney would be in there with the squad. He was about to return for pre-season as a player last July but Robbie Savage’s managerial departure shifted much sand. Rooney fielded a call from the owner, Rob Smethurst, while in the gym and took training 48 hours later.
