The BBC’s Mark Chapman says it’s “bring a family member to work day” as Wayne Rooney stands next to his brother, Macclesfield boss John Rooney, for a pre-match chat on the pitch.
Dominic Booth is our reporter at Moss Rose today, and he’s been soaking in the pre-match atmosphere:
Macclesfield are ready for their day in the FA Cup third round sun, against the cup holders Crystal Palace, no less. Walking from the railway station to the modest surroundings of Moss Rose – now the Leasing.com stadium – before kick-off, there was a palpable buzz in the air. Fans have been buying match scarves in their hundreds, the bars and food kiosks are packed and TV trucks are packing the car park. This is Macclesfield’s first game against Premier League opposition since their rebirth in 2020. As a former EFL club, they used to be semi-regulars in the third round. These days, occasions like this are to be treasured and everyone is rightly making the most of it. That Palace have included three of their FA Cup winning lineup – Wharton, Guéhi and Richards – makes it all the more tantalising for the hosts.
Palace’s last game in the FA Cup? It was a doozy:
Once upon a time in third-round games, the state of the lower league/non-league pitch would be thought of as The Great Leveller. And you could hope to throw in a bit of January wind and rain. But the Moss Rose turf looks in fine fettle and there’s barely a cloud in the Cheshire sky:
