Macclesfield Town manager John Rooney is the younger brother of former England captain Wayne Rooney (Darren Staples)<\/p>\n
Wayne Rooney was bursting with pride after seeing younger brother John Rooney’s Macclesfield dump holders Crystal Palace out of the FA Cup on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Macclesfield became the first sixth-tier side to ever knock out Premier League opposition in a 2-1 win at Moss Rose.<\/p>\n
The 117 places that separate the clubs in the English football pyramid is the most ever overcome by an underdog in FA Cup history.<\/p>\n
“I’m getting emotional,” said former England captain Wayne Rooney, who was part of the BBC commentary team.<\/p>\n
“To see my younger brother, who’s not long been a manager, beat a Premier League team…. I’m so proud.<\/p>\n
“It’s such an achievement. What he’s achieved today, absolutely superb.”<\/p>\n
The monumental feat was all the more poignant for the Silkmen after the death of forward Ethan McLeod less than a month ago.<\/p>\n
McLeod, 21, died when driving back from the club’s game at Bedford on December 16.<\/p>\n
“I had a nice message off his dad last night, and I was to send it to the lads or to tell them before the game, but I didn’t really want to put that little extra bit of pressure on them with everything we’ve been through,” said John Rooney.<\/p>\n
“So I thought I’d leave that until after the game. We need to go and see them (his parents) as well. It’s been a really tough time.<\/p>\n
“We’ve all stuck together through it. It’s never, ever going to get easier. We’ve still got pictures up in the changing rooms that never go.”<\/p>\n
kca\/ea<\/p>\n