An emotional Macclesfield manager John Rooney dedicated his team’s stunning FA Cup win over holders Crystal Palace to Ethan McLeod who tragically died 25 days before the game.
McLeod was killed in a car accident on the M1 on December 16 as he drove back from a National League North game at Bedford Town having decided not to travel on the team bus.
Macclesfield have retired McLeod’s No.20 shirt and a tribute banner to the 21-year-old hung between the two dugouts at the Leasing.com Stadium as they won 2-1 against Palace, a team 117 places above them in the football pyramid.
‘We spoke about Ethan being here with us,’ said Rooney, who quit playing at Macclesfield to start his first managerial job in the summer. ‘I didn’t want to say too much to the lads before the game because I didn’t want to put any extra pressure on them.
‘When we finished the game, I walked into the office and saw Ethan’s mum and dad in there, and that was very special to me knowing they were here with us. It’s something I’ll hold me forever, and I’m sure Ethan was definitely looking down on us today.
‘I don’t think many people have been put in that situation before and, for me, in my first couple of months in the job.
Macclesfield boss John Rooney dedicated dedicated his team’s stunning FA Cup win over holders Crystal Palace to Ethan McLeod who tragically died 25 days before the game
McLeod’s parents were invited into the dressing room to celebrate with the team after their stunning victory
A picture of McLeod was present in Macclesfield’s dressing room for their FA Cup tie
A tribute had been placed between the dugouts ahead of the FA Cup tie on Saturday
‘I brought Ethan to the club and I had a special relationship with him, so to find out that news and have to phone the players individually and give them the news was something that you can’t prepare for.
‘It’s the hardest thing I’ll ever have to do and how I did it I don’t know. It ripped through the club, me, the staff, the players. Ethan was a special lad and a special talent.’
Defender Sam Heathcote also grew visibly emotional as he paid tribute to his teammate. ‘At the full-time whistle when we managed to find each other, the lads said that was for him,’ said Heathcote. ‘Every time we step on to that field, we try to do our best for him.
‘It has been such a difficult time. I can’t really put into words how everyone has felt. Everyone has come together so much. Everyone has come together massively; from his family to the staff, to the players, to everyone. And that just shows you what a special football club this is.’
