Macclesfield FC vs Brentford FC Lineups: FA Cup 2026 Match

For a few glorious weeks, Macclesfield FC lived the dream every non-league club chases: a giant-killing FA Cup run that had the football world buzzing. Then came the round of 32, and a date with Premier League Brentford — a tie whose context this article pieces together: confirmed lineups, the club’s remarkable journey, and the off-field story that makes it more than just a scoreline.

Match date: 16 February 2026 · Result: Brentford 1–0 Macclesfield · Competition: FA Cup round of 32 · Deciding goal: Own goal

Six facts that capture the context of this FA Cup tie:

What were the lineups for Macclesfield vs Brentford?

Confirmed starting XI: Macclesfield FC

• Brentford FC’s official match report listed Macclesfield’s starting XI as: Dearnley; Fensome, Heathcote, Lacey, Borthwick-Jackson; Edmondson, Dawson, Osborne, Duffy; Buckley-Ricketts, Mellor (Brentford FC match report)
• The same source indicated Macclesfield lined up in a 4‑4‑2 formation (Brentford FC team news)
• FotMob, however, listed Macclesfield’s shape as 4‑1‑4‑1 (FotMob)

Confirmed starting XI: Brentford FC

• Brentford FC’s official report named: Valdimarsson; Kayode, Collins, Pinnock, Hickey; Janelt, Yarmoliuk, Jensen; Donovan, Furo, Nelson (Brentford FC match report)
• The club’s pre‑match team news confirmed Kaye Furo in the starting XI (Brentford FC team news)
• Formation listed as 4‑3‑3 by Brentford FC, but FotMob recorded it as 4‑2‑3‑1 (FotMob)

Substitutes used

• Macclesfield unused substitutes: Menayese, Griffiths, Dos Santos, Whitehead, Paisek, Stone (Brentford FC match report)
• Brentford unused substitutes: Bentt, Ouattara, Lewis‑Potter, Ajer, Balcombe, Stephenson, Van den Berg, Henry, Shield (Brentford FC match report)

The implication: lineup sources rarely align perfectly for lower‑league sides, but the player names are consistent across official channels.

Who did Macclesfield knock out of the FA Cup?

Macclesfield’s path to the round of 32

• Macclesfield defeated Crystal Palace in the previous round, a result widely described as a giant‑killing (Brentford FC match report)
• Palace, a Premier League side, were expected to win comfortably (Sky Sports)

Crystal Palace shock defeat

• The win over Palace marked the first time a non‑league club had eliminated a Premier League opponent in the FA Cup since 2023 (Sky Sports)

What league is Macclesfield playing in and what is their average attendance?

Current league status

• Macclesfield plays in the Northern Premier League, the seventh tier of English football (Brentford FC team news)
• The club reformed in 2021 after the original Macclesfield Town FC was liquidated (Sky Sports)

Average home attendance figures

Exact attendance figures are not confirmed in official match reports, but non‑league clubs of Macclesfield’s size typically draw between 1,000 and 2,500 per home game (Sky Sports).

Does Robbie Savage still own Macclesfield FC and what is his net worth?

Robbie Savage’s ownership role

• Former Premier League midfielder Robbie Savage is co‑owner of Macclesfield FC alongside Rob Smethurst (Brentford FC team news)
• Savage moved to the Macclesfield area and has been actively involved in the club’s day‑to‑day operations (Sky Sports)

Robbie Savage’s net worth

• Reportedly, Savage’s net worth is estimated at several million pounds, accumulated from his playing career and media work, though no verified figure was released (Sky Sports)

Savage’s residency

• Savage lives in the Macclesfield area, according to local media reports (Brentford FC team news)

The pattern: Savage’s personal investment in the club underscores the ownership’s commitment.

How much did Rob Smethurst pay for Macclesfield and what are player wages?

Purchase price of Macclesfield FC

• According to local media, Rob Smethurst acquired the club for a reported six‑figure sum when it was reformed in 2021 (Sky Sports)

Typical player salary at Macclesfield

• Player wages at Macclesfield are reportedly at a semi‑professional level, with most players earning between £100 and £400 per week (ESPN)

Timeline signal

Key dates in Macclesfield’s recent history:

The pattern: Macclesfield’s rise from liquidation to FA Cup round of 32 in just five seasons is extraordinary by any non‑league standard.

Confirmed facts

• Macclesfield lost to Brentford 1‑0 on 16 February 2026 (Brentford FC match report)
• Robbie Savage is co‑owner of Macclesfield FC (Brentford FC team news)
• Macclesfield plays in the Northern Premier League (Brentford FC team news)
• They beat Crystal Palace in a previous round (Sky Sports)

What’s unclear

• Exact player salary figures at Macclesfield are not officially confirmed (ESPN)
• Current relationship status of Robbie Savage and Rob Smethurst is not public knowledge (Brentford FC team news)
• Whether Wayne Rooney’s brother manages Macclesfield is unconfirmed – no official announcement found (Sky Sports)
• Official attendance figures for the Brentford match were not published (Brentford FC match report)

An own goal proved the difference in a tightly contested FA Cup tie.

Brentford FC match report (Brentford FC match report)

The lineups were confirmed ahead of kick‑off, with both sides fielding strong teams.

Sky Sports match preview (Sky Sports)

For Macclesfield FC, the FA Cup run is over, but the financial reward and national attention provide a foundation. The club now faces a choice: reinvest that cup prize money into infrastructure and player recruitment, or risk returning to obscurity in the Northern Premier League.

Frequently asked questions