'Football belongs to all of us': United front as Cheshire's clubs slam FA Cup decision

Cheshire's football clubs have slammed the Football Association's decision to scrap replays in the FA Cup. The county's only Football League club, Crewe Alexandra, said the "self-serving" decision "demonstrates a total lack of respect for the Football Pyramid and our supporters."

Chester FC said the club was "dismayed" and that the decision "demonstrates an alarming lack of respect for the wider game" as the club's board called for the establishment of an independent football regulator.

The Football Association said fixture congestion and "wanting to maintain player welfare" were among the reasons behind the decision to scrap replays, which clubs across Cheshire have said provide access to much-needed revenue, as well as 'cherished experiences'.

The Football Association added the number of FA Cup matches that will be broadcast in the early rounds will be increased next season. Chairman of National League North club Warrington Town, Toby Macormac, told CheshireLive the decision was "very disappointing".

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"It’s around the expansion of fixtures for the top six clubs, who have got squads more than big enough to cope with Warrington Town away on a Tuesday night in an FA Cup replay if we were ever to get that far," said Mr Macormac, who was chairman during Warrington Town's improbable run to the FA Cup second round in 2014.

He added: "It’s further compounded by the money from live TV and the prize money being half of what they were ten years ago, when we had an amazing, club-changing run in the FA Cup. Not only are we now operating off a 50 per cent lower figure, you’ve now got the fact that there’s only one game to play.

"If the draw isn’t kind, say we did reach the second round and drew Plymouth away, for instance, it would cost us a fortune to get there, and we wouldn’t recoup any of that in a replay," said Mr Macormac. CheshireLive understands clubs have already committed to the competition for next season after applying in February.

"A decision has been made, it’s poor, but I think clubs will end up getting on with it," said Mr Macormac. "I don’t see clubs pulling out of the FA Cup unless someone wants to take a real stand."

In a statement, Crewe Alexandra said: "While potential changes to the FA Cup format have been part of a much wider discussions regarding a ‘New Deal for Football’ between the Premier League, The FA and the EFL, there was no warning of this bipartisan measure that has been handed down.

"We are wholly unaware of any separate communication or consultation with Football League clubs like ours, who hold this historic competition in such high regard. However, the manner in which this self-serving decision has been taken comes as no surprise.

"That is a great shame and demonstrates a total lack of respect for the Football Pyramid and our supporters. The FA Cup not only represents a key source of income for clubs throughout the Football Pyramid, it creates cherished experiences and lifelong memories for everybody connected to the game.

"The potential of an FA Cup replay is a crucial part of what makes this unique and beloved competition so thrilling for the 700-plus clubs who participate each year. Football belongs to all of us.

"Crewe Alexandra urges The FA and the Premier League to reconsider in order to ensure that fair and proper consultation process takes place."

Similarly, Chester FC's board said this morning it was "dismayed" by the decision, made "without consideration of the consequences their actions will have on clubs such as ours."

The club statement reads: "The scrapping of replays from the first round proper onwards denies clubs access to much-needed revenue from gate receipts and broadcast fees, but also means supporters and players will have far fewer opportunities to create the unforgettable memories for which the competition is so revered.

"It is deeply concerning that these changes have been announced without consulting the 144 clubs who make up the English Football League and National League, nor the hundreds across the football pyramid who enter the FA Cup each season. This demonstrates an alarming lack of respect for the wider game and its fans, and reinforces the urgent need for a strong Independent Football Regulator.

"We urge The FA and the Premier League to listen to the concerns of clubs and supporters, suspend the changes and commence a full and proper consultation with all stakeholders."

Similarly, Macclesfield FC said the club "wholeheartedly condemns" the FA's decision. "The Emirates FA Cup is the most magical competition in the world and in our view, to impose this decision devalues it and disrespects all those teams that enter," the club said in a statement.

Macclesfield FC's statement continued: "In addition, it is illuminating that this decision was made without anyone other than the FA and Premier League being consulted. We appeal to the FA and Premier League to retract this decision and hold meaningful discussions with all those impacted, not just those in the top tier."

In a statement released today, the Football Association said: "We have listened to the concerns expressed over the last 24 hours, and would like to outline the approval process which was undertaken for the 2024-25 professional game football calendar. We have been discussing the calendar for the 2024-25 season with the Premier League and EFL for well over a year.

"Removing Emirates FA Cup replays was discussed in the early meetings and all parties accepted that they could not continue. The discussions then focused on how to make all of our competitions stronger, despite having fewer dates available and wanting to maintain player welfare.

"The changes to the Emirates FA Cup achieve this by returning it to a weekend competition on every round, and ensuring that we have exclusive broadcast slots in an increasingly congested calendar. To clarify, we have also increased the number of Emirates FA Cup matches that will be broadcast in the early rounds, which will lead to additional guaranteed broadcast revenue for EFL and National League teams.

"Additionally, we review the prize money annually for the competition, together with representatives from the EFL and Premier League and will do the same for the 2024-25 season. The calendar for next season was approved last month by the Professional Game Board, which consists of four EFL representatives and four Premier League representatives and then by the FA Board, which includes Premier League, EFL, National Game and grassroots representation.

"This is the process we undergo every year to approve the calendar. We understand the concerns expressed over the last 24 hours, and we will be sharing more details with clubs very shortly to explain the additional revenue opportunities in the early rounds.

"We will keep this under review as the new calendar begins to ensure that EFL and National League clubs do not lose out."

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