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Tom Clare couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he celebrated with his football team after Macclesfield FC beat FA Cup holders Crystal Palace.
The Love Island winner, 26, was one of Macclesfield FC’s first signings in June 2021. He was the top scorer during Macclesfield’s 2021–22 season with 23 goals.
John Rooney’s Macclesfield side produced a stunning giant-killing in the third round, with the non-league side overcoming holders Crystal Palace.
Macclesfield – who are 14th in the National League North – secured a stunning 2-1 victory with fans invading the pitch when the final whistle sounded.
Macclesfield held on to secure the stunning victory, leaving former England and Man United star Wayne Rooney emotional as he praised his brother’s accomplishment.
Wayne, who won the FA Cup back in 2016, had been working as a pundit for the BBC on the match and could be heard on the verge of tears after being asked about John’s success.
Tom Clare, 26, couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he celebrated with his football team after Macclesfield FC beat FA Cupholders Crystal Palace
Macclesfield – who are 14th in the National League North – secured a stunning 2-1 victory with fans invading the pitch when the final whistle sounded
‘It’s incredible, I am getting emotional to see my younger brother achieve this,’ Wayne said.
‘He’s not been long in management and to get through to the fourth round of the FA Cup and beat Crystal Palace, I am so proud of him.
‘He did [look calm], I don’t know how, it is such an achievement what he has done today, it is absolutely superb.’
Wayne then embraced his brother John as the Macclesfield boss joined the BBC for his post-match interview.
‘I’m the same (in tears), literally,’ John said. ‘I still can’t believe it, I can’t get my head around it.
‘I thought we were incredible from the first minute, the first half we had a couple of chances, and then we took the lead. I thought we were well deserved winners.
‘I thought we were incredible to a man, I couldn’t be any prouder of the lads.’
An emotional Wayne Rooney, right, was close to tears on the BBC after his younger brother John, the Macclesfield manager, oversaw the historic upset
Supporters had raced onto the pitch at full-time to celebrate the stunning result
The reality star was given permission by his club to leave mid-season in January 2023 to appear on the ninth series of ITV2’s Love Island (pictured in 2024)
The reality star was given permission by his club to leave mid-season in January 2023 to appear on the ninth series of ITV2’s Love Island.
Tom came in third place alongside then-girlfriend Samie Elishi, but they broke up weeks after returning to the UK because it ‘wasn’t working on the outside’.
A year later, he won the first series of Love Island: All Stars, alongside his girlfriend Molly Smith and 18 months later, they celebrated their engagement in Dubai.
