One of the best stories in English football history only happened because the owner got absolutely hammered.
Robert Smethurst was an alcoholic. But fortunately for him, he was a rich one.
And during a 4-day booze bender during Covid in 2020, on a dare from a friend, he saw an ad online to buy the remains of Macclesfield FC for 500,000 pounds ($670,000).
No other owners to deal with. No paperwork. No hassle.
Just $670K wired electronically, and he suddenly owned a futbol club.
After bringing the club back to life, Macclesfield FC started their resurgence in the 9th tier of English football.
Five years later, they've climbed 3 levels to the 6th-tier National League North.
But Macclesfield's journey peaked on January 10, when they beat Premier League club Crystal Palace and advanced to the 3rd round of the FA Cup.
Macclesfield is ranked 117 spots below Crystal Palace in the English team rankings, making it the biggest upset in the history of the competition.
Even better, Crystal Palace won the FA Cup just last year.
And none of it ever happens if their owner hadn't got handsy on his laptop during a drunken stupor.
#football #soccer #macclesfield #facup #premierleague
One of the best stories in English football history only happened because the owner got absolutely hammered.
Robert Smethurst was an alcoholic. But fortunately for him, he was a rich one.
And during a 4-day booze bender during Covid in 2020, on a dare from a friend, he saw an ad online to buy the remains of Macclesfield FC for 500,000 pounds ($670,000).
No other owners to deal with. No paperwork. No hassle.
Just $670K wired electronically, and he suddenly owned a futbol club.
After bringing the club back to life, Macclesfield FC started their resurgence in the 9th tier of English football.
Five years later, they've climbed 3 levels to the 6th-tier National League North.
But Macclesfield's journey peaked on January 10, when they beat Premier League club Crystal Palace and advanced to the 3rd round of the FA Cup.
Macclesfield is ranked 117 spots below Crystal Palace in the English team rankings, making it the biggest upset in the history of the competition.
Even better, Crystal Palace won the FA Cup just last year.
And none of it ever happens if their owner hadn't got handsy on his laptop during a drunken stupor.
#football #soccer #macclesfield #facup #premierleague