Ex-Premier League Star Involved In FA Cup Fourth Round Now Looks Unrecognisable

A former Premier League starlet will be heavily involved with one of the most anticipated ties of the FA Cup fourth round over the upcoming weekend of fixtures.

The third round of the oldest cup competition on the planet threw up a few surprises, none more so than sixth-tier Macclesfield’s 2-1 victory over FA Cup holders Crystal Palace.

The National League North team are managed by former Manchester United and England forward Wayne Rooney’s younger brother, John.

The 35-year-old, like his more famous sibling, came through the ranks at Everton before joining Macclesfield in 2002.

John went on to feature for the first team before enjoying spells at New York Red Bulls, Orlando City, Barnsley, Bury, Chester, Wrexham, Guiseley, Barrow, Stockport County and Oldham, before calling time on his playing career.

The former midfielder then became head coach of Macclesfield following the departure of Robbie Savage, who manages National League club Forest Green Rovers, in the summer of 2025.

Macclesfield shocked Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round (Credit:Getty)

And despite being a sixth-tier club, there are plenty of connections between the Premier League and Macclesfield.

In July, former Everton and Arsenal forward Francis Jeffers joined the backroom staff and acts as an assistant coach to head coach John.

Fans will know Jeffers from his time in the Premier League, with the Liverpudlian scoring 24 goals in 118 appearances during his time in the English top flight.

After impressing at Everton between 1997 and 2001, Jeffers completed a £10 million move to Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal, where he linked up with high-profile stars such as Thierry Henry, Ashley Cole, Dennis Bergkamp and Freddie Ljungberg.

Despite arriving at Highbury with a glowing reputation, Jeffers struggled to find form at the Gunners, scoring just eight times in 39 appearances before returning to Everton on loan in 2003.

Francis Jeffers and Wayne Rooney in 2003 (Credit:Getty)

The former England international, who scored in his sole Three Lions cap in 2003, struggled to return to the heights he reached during his youth and became a journeyman striker after unsuccessful spells at Charlton, Rangers, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday, before calling time on his career in 2013.

Jeffers has since coached at Everton, Oldham and Ipswich before undertaking his current role.

And with Macclesfield set to host Premier League side Brentford on Monday (February 16), the 45-year-old made a guest appearance alongside John on The Wayne Rooney Show ahead of the fourth-round tie.

Jeffers, who, like John and Wayne, is from the Croxteth area of Liverpool, revealed that Brentford have already requested to look at the pitch hours before the game to avoid an unpleasant surprise like Palace experienced.

Francis Jeffers is Macclesfield assistant coach (Credit:TheWayneRooneyShow)

“The backroom staff at our place, the people in the office, are already telling us Brentford want to bring the team, the squad of players, to look at the pitch at 12 o’clock that day," Jeffers revealed.

"So, you know, they don’t want to get there and be surprised like Palace. So, like you said, that giant killing has sort of made Brentford wake up and go, ‘Listen, we’re not going there and we’re not going to allow that to happen.’

“But we have to just allow our lads to enjoy it. It’s an unbelievable occasion. We said that to them in the last round, didn’t we? Lads, you know, I actually said to them, ‘Thank you very much for where you’ve taken us here, by the way, because I’ve had some great days in football as a player.’

“That’s probably one of the best days I’ve ever, ever had. And that was all down to the lads and I thanked them. And I’ll be saying the same to them. You know, after John gives his team talk, I’ll be saying to the lads, ‘Thanks. Make sure you go out and enjoy the occasion. And what will be, will be. No one’s expecting us to win. But, you know, there might be a little element of surprise because we’ve done it before.’

“I think our lads might quietly fancy having a right go at Brentford.”