Robbie Savage has heaped praise on his former club Maccelsfield FC after they pulled off one of the greatest results in the history of the FA Cup.
The Silkmen, who play in the sixth tier of English football, beat the cup holders and Premier League stalwarts Crystal Palace 2-1 at the Leasing.Com Stadium to reach the fourth round.
Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts got the goals for the Silkmen at Moss Rose, before Yeremy Pino pulled one back for the Eagles late on.
Macclesfield, started the tie 117 places below Premier League Palace and became the first non-League team in 117 years to beat the FA Cup holders – since then-Southern League side Palace beat Wolves in 1909.
Savage told BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s Billy Hunt that the result was “probably one of the biggest FA Cup shocks in the history of the competition.”
He added: “A huge congratulations to Macclesfield, John Rooney, and all the directors and people behind the scenes. What a win it was -probably one of the biggest FA Cup shocks in the history of the competition.
“Hopefully now they can get a Liverpool or a Man United, knocking out the cup holders. I’m so delighted for the football club and everything they’ve been through—Bob Trafford, everybody involved—well done to Macclesfield.
“My Freddie was there today watching it. He’s a fan. I just played a small part – a very, very small part – in helping that community get its club back. For them to have the day they had, financially brilliant for them; hopefully, they can get a Liverpool or Man City away.”
Savage reserved special praise for Paul Dawson. He said: “I’m so pleased for Daws, who I brought in—he was the best player on the pitch, I’ve texted him. I’m pleased for John (Rooney) as well. It’s his team, his squad, his club now. I’ve just been a very, very small part in a journey. Today is all about them, and I want to give them all the credit. I’m delighted for them.”
