Last week, the Football Association released a statement outlining changes to the FA Cup having held discussions with the Premier League.
The statement, predominantly the decisions to scrap replays in the competition proper and that those outside the top division had not been consulted, was met with widespread condemnation from the footballing world.
We don’t have to cast our minds back too far to be reminded of the impact the FA Cup and replays have had on teams. In 2005, Exeter City’s fan ownership was in its infancy, the club sat in the National League and had reported debts of £5 million.
An impressive draw at holders Manchester United ensured Sir Alex Ferguson recalled the stars for a televised replay at St James Park. The likes of Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes played as United ran out 2-0 victors. The money earned from the replay is credited with keeping the club alive in those early days of new ownership.
Fast forward twelve years to National League outfit Lincoln City. Out of the Football League for the sixth year, the club were reinvigorated after a cup run that included two replays.
A second match was needed to dispatch of Guiseley in the fourth qualifying round before a fantastic performance at Championship side Ipswich Town meant a replay under the lights at Sincil Bank for a place in the fourth round proper.
In the lead-up to the game, The Imps had lost legendary manager Graham Taylor and the club paid tribute to him before and during the contest. That FA Cup replay contained things that the money offered to clubs simply cannot buy: Emotion. Joy. Memories.
What happened following that remarkable victory played a pivotal role in the development of the club. The crowds began to return along with the feelgood factor around the city and a training ground was built using the prize money.
Tony Pulis took his Stoke City side to the FA Cup Final in the 2010-11 season, thanks to a third-round replay, where they lost to Manchester City. Pulis is unhappy with where the power in football lies.
“I think it just confirms that the top six clubs now, as always, have the biggest pull in football. I think the Premier League are dictated to at times by the top six clubs.”
One thing he was adamant about was how important the FA Cup can be for those clubs outside of the elite.
“When you look at the amount of joy that lots of clubs outside the Premier League experience through the FA Cup, even yesterday with Coventry, the FA Cup is special. Really, really special.”
“It can be a lifesaver as well financially for smaller clubs, especially in the lower leagues. I think they’ve obviously been under pressure because of the amount of games the top clubs are playing in Europe to make this decision.”
“But I totally disagree with it.”
Tony Pulis was talking to us courtesy of OLBG.
Writer’s View
Tony Pulis has expressed views widely shared by fans and those within football. Fans and clubs are being robbed of special nights and trips to grounds they would never normally get the chance to visit.
For the Premier League to have so much power has to be a cause for concern for English football. Clubs will jet off around the world on pre-season tours after players have participated in international tournaments but it is too much for their players to visit a League Two ground on a Tuesday evening.
