Macclesfield eliminated holders Crystal Palace in the FA Cup earlier this season, and the sixth-tier team’s giant killing has caught the attention of Hollywood, with a film currently in the works.
Macclesfield beat Crystal Palace in one of the biggest upsets of the FA Cup (Image: Getty Images)
Macclesfield’s famous FA Cup victory over Crystal Palace inspired Hollywood filmmakers to bring their remarkable breakthrough to the silver screen. Silkman, who have been promoted three times in four years and currently play in the sixth division, defeated Premier League side Palace 2-1 in the third round of this season.
It was the first time an FA Cup holder had been eliminated by a non-league club since Palace themselves dominated Wolves in the 1908-09 season. Macclesfield hosted another top team in Brentford and managed to avoid a giant killing at Moss Rose with a 1-0 win.
The Mail reports that one of Hollywood’s biggest producers traveled from the US to watch the Brentford game and learn about Macclesfield’s rise as a Phoenix club. He has hired two screenwriters to write the script and is said to be pitching the film to a number of big-name studios.
It has been added that the film will begin by investigating the alcoholism and drug use of owner Rob Smethurst, who took over Macclesfield under bizarre circumstances in 2020. Smethurst decided to buy the defunct club, which had just been liquidated, from real estate website Rightmove during a four-day grace period.
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Despite having no experience of running a football team, the Cheshire businessman invested £4 million of his own money to rebuild the club. It also costs £400,000 a year to keep them afloat.
The film also depicts a tragic period for Macclesfield with the death of 21-year-old striker Ethan McLeod just weeks before the match against Palace. McLeod was killed in a car accident while returning from a match in Bedford in December.
Smethurst, who was recently awarded the Honorable Freedom of Town, said on BBC Radio 5 Live after Silken made FA Cup history:
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Rob Smethurst bought Macclesfield on a night out and changed their fortunes forever (Image: Getty Images)
“It was really great for Macclesfield and I know the lads were partying until 3 or 4 in the morning. The bars were completely full and there were people dancing in Macclesfield.
“So seeing the town and the community yesterday was just one of those incredible experiences that I’ll never forget.
Macclesfield, managed by John Rooney, brother of Manchester United and England legend Wayne, are already guaranteed a place in this season’s National League North play-offs. Last season, under former manager Robbie Savage, they won the Northern Premier League Premier Division title.
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