FA Cup

Sam Heathcote sets the tone for pupil Paul Dawson after Macclesfield’s FA Cup magic

Captain Fantastic Paul Dawson was told off by teacher Sam Heathcote for being too modest after inspiring Macclesfield’s A-star rewrite of FA Cup history.

by
The Non-League Football Paper Team
11 January 2026

Paul Dawson, right, celebrates with Isaac Buckley-Ricketts

Captain Fantastic Paul Dawson was told off by teacher Sam Heathcote for being too modest after inspiring Macclesfield’s A-star rewrite of FA Cup history.

Dawson’s booming header back across goal got the Silkmen off and running in a 2-1 win over holders and Premier League giants Crystal Palace.
It means Macc can proudly lay claim to being the first sixth-tier side to beat top-flight opposition in the world’s oldest competition and the first Non-League side to oust the holders since Palace did so as a Southern League outfit in 1909.
Isaac Buckley-Ricketts landed the knockout blow on the ho...

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