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Macclesfield Town FA Cup hero is a former star of Flint Town United

Luis Lacey played for Flint Town United in the 2023-24 season. On January 10, 2026, he helped Macclesfield of tier 6 pull off a huge FA Cup upset by knocking out holders Crystal Palace of the Premier League. Picture: GEOFF QUINN, FLINT TOWN UNITED FC

One of Macclesfield Town’s FA Cup heroes today is fondly remembered for his spells on loan at Flint Town United.

Luis Lacey, who was 21 yesterday, featured for the tier 6 National League North side in their phenomenal 2-1 third round victory over holders Crystal Palace at Moss Rose on Saturday afternoon.

Labelled already by many as the biggest upset in the FA Cup’s 154-year history, with Macclesfield 14th in National League North and Palace 13th in the Premier League – 117 positions apart – goals from Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts were enough to send the 2025 winners tumbling out of the competition.

Liverpool-born Lacey, spent the 2023-24 season at Flint when they were in the Cymru North, his 31 appearances over two stints on loan from Tranmere Rovers delivering five goals. His elder brother, Paddy, was also at the Essity Stadium that season, playing in 19 games.

Another Lacey brother, 18-year-old Shea, is at Manchester United and came on as a sub in this week’s 2-2 draw at Burnley where the teenager went close to scoring a spectacular winner.

Also previously at Barnsley, Luis joined Macclesfield, like Flint also known as The Silkmen, in August from fellow National League North club Curzon Ashton.

The full-back has made 20 league appearances for John Rooney’s Macc side this term.

On welcoming Luis to Flint back in 2023, Flint manager Lee Fowler said: “It was a rare opportunity to be able to unite both Luis and Paddy at the same club to play their football.

“This should prove to be a great experience for Luis to cut his teeth playing regular, senior, football and show us what he can do, as well as playing alongside his more experienced brother.”

Flint finished runners-up in the Cymru North in 2023-24 and, with champions Holywell Town not eligible for promotion, the Silkmen vaulted into the top flight.

Luis was named in the JD Cymru North’s Team of the Season.

The club can feel proud of its role in helping a hero of arguably the FA Cup’s biggest-ever shock progress in his career.