Скачать или смотреть I bought non-league minnows on Rightmove after four-day bender, then I hired Wayne Rooney’s brother

BUYING Macclesfield FC after a four-day bender saved Rob Smethurst’s life – now the non-league side are attempting to knock holders Crystal Palace out of the FA Cup.

For Smethurst, 48, the alcohol-influenced purchase during the Covid-19 pandemic almost cost him his marriage but has now led to something special.

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Rob Smethurst bought Macclesfield whilst on a four-day boozing sessionCredit: Alamy

Wayne Rooney’s younger brother, John, is now the managerCredit: Alamy

Despite stepping down from his position as owner in October 2025, five years after the initial rebranding from Macclesfield Town following a winding up by the High Court due to debts of over £500,000, Smethurst has been unable to entirely walk away.

He spent over £4million of his own money – made from selling a successful car delivery app to Auto Trader – on renovating the rundown Moss Rose stadium and as much as £400,000-a-year to keep things going.

But after building a business plan based on a plastic pitch that can be hired out along with a leisure club and bar facilities the club is now bringing in around £2.5m-a-year.

But for Smethurst, Macclesfield has become everything – almost by accident.

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Speaking to the Daily Mail, he documents the boozy habits that led to him splashing out on a club which had gone bust.

He said: “I was just drinking crazy amounts of alcohol really, and living a completely ridiculous lifestyle.

“I’d go to the pub at two o’clock in the afternoon and always be the last person to leave.

“I’d been on this session, a four-day rolling bender. It was just non-stop. You know, wake up, carry on, which was crazy.

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“My mate said: ‘Macc football club’s up for sale.’

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“I went on Rightmove and bought it within 24 hours. I didn’t have a business plan, and absolutely no idea how to run a football club.

“It was just something to do when you’re p****d.”

Covid left Smethurst to cash in on his football academy venture and Macclesfield filled a hole but he wasn’t sure what he had got himself into from the start.

Looking back at turning up at the ground to collect the keys, he said: “The seats were broken, the glasses were smashed, the pitch was non-existent, weeds, cracked tarmac…”

Smethurst adds: “I’m thinking, ‘What the f***? What have I bought?’.

“I mean, the place had fallen apart. The receivers had been in and it was as derelict as it could possibly be.”

What has happened since is three promotions and a lot of investment.

Smethurst admits: “Has it saved my life? Yeah, it has.

“It’s taken over. It gave me something other to do than going back to sitting in the bedroom watching Netflix. I’ve got to fight for this club.

“Once you get into it, the love, the passion, there is a togetherness within football that goes beyond.

“It’s become the heartbeat of Macclesfield. I