Following their statement by the FA that they intended to scrap all replays in the FA cup from round one has brought universal condemnation from fans and clubs from the EFL right down to grass roots football. First of the mark were the Football Supporters Association…
FSA view on FA Cup replays? Keep them!
Posted on 19th April 2024
“The FA’s decision to scrap FA Cup replays in all rounds of the competition has been met with what can only be described as anger by many EFL and non-league clubs, football figures and supporters at all levels of the game.
As well as replays there is real concern across football that many of the things which make the FA Cup special – its history, heritage and tradition – are also under threat.
The level of anger at the decision to scrap replays should not come as a surprise to anyone at the FA as we have consistently made clear, in a number of recent meetings, what supporter feeling is when it comes to this issue.
In addition we outlined the problems that stretching a “weekend” from Friday to Monday causes travelling supporters but the FA are still pressing on with that scheduling and even extending it during the 4th Round which will run from Friday to Wednesday. More TV disruption for matchgoers.
Bottom line – the FSA supports FA Cup replays in all rounds of the competition.!
On 19th April Rochdale AFC on their website put out a statement the tenor of which mirrored what the Trust were about to say, their statement is below.
Club Statement On FA Cup Replays
19 April 2024
Rochdale Football Club expresses its sincere disappointment at Thursday’s announcement regarding the scrapping of FA Cup replays from the first round onwards.
As we understand it, there was no consultation from the FA with any clubs outside of the Premier League. EFL, National League and grassroots clubs were left to receive the news via the mainstream media, much to our dismay.
The importance of FA Cup replays to clubs like us must not be underestimated. One of our proudest days came in the historic competition in 2018, when we travelled to Wembley to face Tottenham Hotspur in a fifth-round replay. Two years later, a third-round replay at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park followed.
That these opportunities have been taken away from all the 700-plus clubs who enter the competition, particularly after a lack of consultation, shows a complete disrespect for the football pyramid.
We implore the FA to reconsider this decision. We will be working with fellow National League clubs, and all those affected, to do all we can to oppose it.
The Trust stance is the same as the clubs, indeed its probably mirrored by every club and fan across the country.
There are several “Change.Org” sites now alive seeking support and are calling for a change within the FA, you can find them at Change.Org HERE
One of the local petition sites has been set up by one of our own, Stuart Ashworth, should you choose, go to his Change.Org site click HERE and join in with other Dale voices having their say against the rule to remove replays.
Links for further information
FSA view on FA Cup replays? Keep them! – Football Supporters’ Association (thefsa.org.uk)
Statement on the new FA Cup format (thefa.com)
EFL Statement: FA Cup Replays – The English Football League