Macclesfield FC's sensational FA Cup fairytale is set to be turned into a Hollywood movie. The non-League underdogs made history in January by knocking out holders Crystal Palace, who were 117 places above them in the football pyramid.
The Story Behind the Film
The story of Macclesfield's heroics, and the bizarre circumstances in which chairman Rob Smethurst bought the club, caught the eye of one of Hollywood's biggest producers. He is believed to have travelled from the US for the fourth round in February when the National League North side bowed out 1-0 to Brentford.
Daily Mail Sport understands that he has hired two writers to work on a script and is pitching the film to a number of leading studios.
Rob Smethurst's Journey
The storyline will begin with Smethurst's battle with alcohol addiction and substance abuse during a crazy six-month period in 2020. In that time, he bought the defunct Cheshire club off Rightmove during a four-day bender. The local businessman had no experience of running a football club at the time, but has since invested £4 million of his own money to rebuild Macclesfield and £400,000 a year to keep them afloat.
The film will focus on the heartwarming theme of how Smethurst saved Macclesfield FC and they rescued the 48-year-old from a lifestyle of addiction. A community club was resurrected and then united in grief when young striker Ethan McLeod tragically died in a car crash driving back from a game at Bedford just weeks before the FA Cup upset against Palace.
Recognition and Future
Smethurst received the honorary freedom of the town on behalf of the club at Tuesday's win over Southport in recognition of his efforts and Macclesfield FC's achievement. The last game of the regular season is at Radcliffe Borough on Saturday, but John Rooney's side are already guaranteed a place in the play-offs as they chase a fourth promotion in five years.
