FA Cup Replays Scrapped

Archibald Knox said:
Everyone should write a short email to The FA complaining about their diabolical decision. It should only take a few minutes for each person but the cumulative effect might get the message across.

Edit: Email sent to mark.bullingham@thefa.com and mbullingham@thefa.com
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Archibald Knox said:
I will let you know which address works, if it does
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Both the email addresses seem to work, as I did not get an “undeliverable” reply from either. By the way, Bullingham is the CEO of The FA.

But be careful of auto-correct which naturally prefers “Bellingham”.
 
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stbe said:
Some clubs are starting to complain...
Tranmere statement about the FA cup
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A commendably strong statement by Exeter, whose replay against ManYoo back in 2005 generated vital funds soon after the supporters' buyout.

"Our football club, like many others, owes its past, its present and its future to the FA Cup replays that have now been taken away from us by those who sit at the very top of the game"

www.exetercityfc.co.uk

📝 A response to changes to the FA Cup

Exeter City Football Club and the Exeter City Supporters’ Trust are bitterly disappointed, but not surprised, to learn of the fundamental changes that have been agreed to the format of the FA Cup, with seemingly no consultation of EFL and National League clubs.
www.exetercityfc.co.uk www.exetercityfc.co.uk
 
Toastrack said:
Why scrap replays in rounds 1/2, when the Prem clubs aren't involved and non-league clubs can earn extra cash from replays?

For fans of smaller clubs, replays and the upsets they bring are about anticipation, excitement and the memories that go with them.

And if football has developed a scenario where EFL clubs desperately crave the chance of a Cup replay against bigger clubs to make ends meet, the overriding issue isn’t abolishing replays....
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This isn't about improving the FA Cup. This is solely about EPL cubs protecting their investments and minimising their involvement. If they want to reduce the number of matches they have to play how about knocking the summer Far-East tournaments on the head?....ah, of course, they are commercially essential. Forgot about that imperative.
 
What’s Gary Neville saying? Lol

If they get away with this, they should surely make the prem team have to play the fixture away at lower leagues ground.

Hopefully they see sense altogether
 
And this brings home the message I've always said that the pyramid isn't really there. The FA and EPL are a completely separate organisation from the rest of football, hence this unilateral decision with no hint of consultation.

Another reason to hate the EPL and all it stands for.
 
They say it’s the FA’s biggest money spinner..and the main reason for that is stealing the semi finals away from neutral venues and robbing all the takings as a result and prostitution it off to sponsorship!!
So All this pandering to big clubs with massive squads is ridiculous given the money they already make.

The FA Cup final should be the last game of domestic pro football played before the playoff finals weekend. End of.

To scrap replays is to kill whatever romance still exists stone dead. Like they want to kill it off death by a thousand cuts.
 
I'm really glad I checked X before hitting "Post reply" on the massive post I'd composed criticising the club for not making a statement...
 
basilrobbie3 said:
That's a good statement from the club, well done to them.

There is something odd going on here though. We are one of quite a few clubs who are adamant that they were not consulted and knew nothing of this. But equally I have heard that the EFL itself WAS consulted. How true that is I'm not sure.
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I've also heard the FA Council wasn't consulted, so just a back door chat between the executive and a few EPL clubs. It will be an interesting few days.
 
Goleftgoright said:
Sad to hear.

When there have been threads on here, about your favourite ever Pool game, a regular shout out is, when we beat Arsenal at home in a FA Cup 3rd round replay.

Sadly now such memories will no longer exist for future generations of footy fans.
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A glorious night. Just think, Arsenal could have won it on pens at Highbury.....what a waste that would have been.
 
Archibald Knox said:
Both the email addresses seem to work, as I did not get an “undeliverable” reply from either. By the way, Bullingham is the CEO of The FA.

But be careful of auto-correct which naturally prefers “Bellingham”.
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Done.

the text of my e-mail is as follows:

Dear Mr Bullingham,

following the announcement by the English Premier League and its lickspittle poodle, the Football Association, about the removal of FA Cup replays from the competition, I will be writing to the EFL to ask it to remove all of its clubs from next season's competition. I shall copy the e-mail to my MP and the Minister for Sport.

Perhaps you could anticipate my e-mail and simply have the EPL withdraw all of its clubs from the competition. After all, their focus needs to be fully on their summer Far-East commercial growth tours. Better still, kick them out of the FA and let them ride off into their inevitable Saudi sunset.

Yours sincerely,

xxxx

supporter of Blackpool FC for the past 57 years.
 
My social media has exploded with club statements in the last hour, 20 plus that I have seen. Oh, and a mealy mouthed statement from the FA doubling down on their lack of empathy with anyone other the money men. As for kept for the weekend, when their own statement says Friday to Wednesday, guess it shows how long their weekends are!

Also a growing number of fans suggesting a boycott. Let's face it, that is the only thing that will make them take notice
 
basilrobbie3 said:
There is something odd going on here though. We are one of quite a few clubs who are adamant that they were not consulted and knew nothing of this. But equally I have heard that the EFL itself WAS consulted. How true that is I'm not sure.
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Neither the EFL nor, to a lesser extent, the FA come out of this well.

The FA have issued a statement saying "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"

www.thefa.com

Statement: Emirates FA Cup

FA response following concerns expressed over new Emirates FA Cup format
www.thefa.com www.thefa.com

So the EFL have known about scrapping replays and appeared to have acquiesced long ago - but fatally, without consulting with the 72 member clubs, hence they were all blindsided.
Tellingly, there is no statement on the EFL website about any of this.

The FA's statement argues that additional televised matches in the early rounds is a positive.
But they haven't specified how an extra £33m will benefit grassroots football - what level(s) do they mean by grassroots? What will the benefit be to individual clubs?
And they say that "....we will be sharing more details with clubs very shortly to explain the additional revenue opportunities in the early rounds" - why couldn't they set out these opportunities yesterday, to try and sweeten the pill?
They've totally failed to "sell" this deal to the clubs and the fans.

And the bottom line, as already said, is that both the EFL & the FA have rolled over and had their tummies tickled.
 
Dear Sir

I write as a fan of a club with a proud FA cup tradition, Blackpool FC. A club which has reached the heights and plumbed the depths.

You and your colleagues at the FA do not own the FA, you are temporary custodians. The FA has a role across the whole of football in England, not just the top. Your arrogant assumption that fixtures for the top clubs necessitates eliminating replays for all should be seen for the shame that it is. The clubs at the top are happy to complete pre and post season tours around the world, happy to play more and more European games, and yet do not have time for their domestic competition.

They have huge squads and huge academies, but could not put out a team for a single extra game? A cup run has kept many a lower or non league club afloat for several years, replays are an integral part of this. Maybe you should remember your responsibilities and main purpose. The FA were part founders of the Premier League, do you still have financial interest in it, and is that what is driving your acquiescence to their needs and ignore 97% of English Clubs?

I have read numerous league and non league club statements in the last few hours. The common thread is that, despite what you claim in your newest statement, not a single one was consulted about this huge and damaging change.

There is a growing swell questioning whether all league and non league clubs should boycott the 2024/25 competition. This certainly has my support unless this non democratic and damaging decision is reversed.

Yours


Sent to the address above, get stuck in lads and lasses, break their email !
 
Toastrack said:
Neither the EFL nor, to a lesser extent, the FA come out of this well.

The FA have issued a statement saying "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"

www.thefa.com

Statement: Emirates FA Cup

FA response following concerns expressed over new Emirates FA Cup format
www.thefa.com www.thefa.com

So the EFL have known about scrapping replays and appeared to have acquiesced long ago - but fatally, without consulting with the 72 member clubs, hence they were all blindsided.
Tellingly, there is no statement on the EFL website about any of this.

The FA's statement argues that additional televised matches in the early rounds is a positive.
But they haven't specified how an extra £33m will benefit grassroots football - what level(s) do they mean by grassroots? What will the benefit be to individual clubs?
And they say that "....we will be sharing more details with clubs very shortly to explain the additional revenue opportunities in the early rounds" - why couldn't they set out these opportunities yesterday, to try and sweeten the pill?
They've totally failed to "sell" this deal to the clubs and the fans.

And the bottom line, as already said, is that both the EFL & the FA have rolled over and had their tummies tickled.
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I would be a bit suspicious about any claim to support "grassroots", whoever it comes from.

The EPL, for example, as recently as this week, repeated their claim that they donate £1.6 billion to grassroots. They don't tell anyone that around half of that number is actually parachute payments to a very small number of clubs .
 
It would be worthwhile all supporters groups also contacting Mark Bellingham backing the statement from BFC. I will suggest it to the committee of Yorkshire Seasiders.
 
basilrobbie3 said:
It's referred to in the original statement as one of the considerations / factors affecting the decision. Did you actually read it?
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Nope why would i read it, and i don't get why you are tying to argue with me, I've stated i don't agree with the FA decision on replays

There were about 750 clubs involved in the FA Cup last season maybe they should all boycott it next season and just let the 20 EPL clubs fight it out and whilst I'm at it maybe the EFL clubs should boycott Wembley for the play offs and also England games and merchandise

Maybe it's time for people to actually show some courage of their own convictions

You probably won't agree as you couldn't even be bothered to support various protests at your own club, yet appear to be on a one man crusade to save football
 
Phil_bfc deux said:
Nope why would i read it, and i don't get why you are tying to argue with me, I've stated i don't agree with the FA decision on replays

There were about 750 clubs involved in the FA Cup last season maybe they should all boycott it next season and just let the 20 EPL clubs fight it out and whilst I'm at it maybe the EFL clubs should boycott Wembley for the play offs and also England games and merchandise

Maybe it's time for people to actually show some courage of their own convictions

You probably won't agree as you couldn't even be bothered to support various protests at your own club, yet appear to be on a one man crusade to save football
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I know you don't get it Phil. Don't worry about it.
 
Hertsseasider said:
Statement from non league Maidstone United

maidstoneunited.co.uk

Club statement: revised FA Cup format - Maidstone United FC

During this season’s historic FA Cup run, we won seven matches without needing a replay. In a couple of those games, there were some nervous moments where the possibility of one crossed our minds! Prior to this season, it was a replay that provided one of our most memorable FA Cup moments...
maidstoneunited.co.uk maidstoneunited.co.uk
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That really is an excellent statement
 
Mark Palios, recently interviewed on 5 Live, infers "all parties accepted" should be interpreted as " Premier League and Championship"
 
basilrobbie3 said:
That's a good statement from the club, well done to them.

There is something odd going on here though. We are one of quite a few clubs who are adamant that they were not consulted and knew nothing of this. But equally I have heard that the EFL itself WAS consulted. How true that is I'm not sure.
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Maybe the agenda item came up after lunch? 🍷
 
Here is the list of committee members for the FA Challenge Cup...

FA Challenge Cup

Steve Curwood (EFL appointment) = Fleetwood Town FC
Neil Bausor (EFL appointment) = Middlesbrough FC
Steve Kavanagh (EFL appointment, Vice-Chair) = Millwall FC
Paul Douglas (EFL Appointment) = Rotherham United FC
Rebecca Caplehorn (PL appointment) = Tottenham Hotspur FC
Peter McCormick (PL appointment, Chair) = A lawyer from Harrogate who is the Chairman of Premier League Stadium Fund and a Trustee of the Football Foundation
Paul Barber (PL appointment) = Brighton & Hove Albion FC
Rebecca Britain (PL appointment) = Manchester United FC club secretary
Brian Adshead (NG appointment) = Staffordshire Football Association Ltd
Peter Clayton (NG appointment) = Middlesex County Football Association Ltd, English Schools Football Association
John Topping (NG appointment) = Durham Football Association and Jarrow FC
Andrew Shaw (NG appointment) = The Football Conference Ltd

Observer
Tom Greatrex – Supporters = Football Supporters Association

www.thefa.com

The FA Committees 2023-24

A list of the FA Group's Board & Committee membership for the 2023-24 season
www.thefa.com www.thefa.com

So, if you want to make your feelings widespread across the committee then copy them all into your email complaint, as well as sending to Mark Bullingham.

They will, probably, all have FA email addresses and the format will be as follows (as the FA website says) ...

firstname.lastname@thefa.com
and/or...
firstinitialsurname@thefa.com

Hence...
mark.bullingham@thefa.com
and...
mbullingham@thefa.com

That’s easier than working out all the clubs’ email addresses.
Have fun, swamp them. And pass on to fans of other clubs?
Hopefully our own rep to the Football Supporters Association will do his/her bit.
 
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Just heard man utd manager saying its because of the top players burning out.... utter bull shit... they use the squad which is what it is all about..

Utter utter shite and really hope the whole efl boycott... let the prem have their our fa cup comp. 🖕
 
TangerineArmy said:
Just heard man utd manager saying its because of the top players burning out.... utter bull shit... they use the squad which is what it is all about..

Utter utter shite and really hope the whole efl boycott... let the prem have their our fa cup comp. 🖕
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💯

That’ll be the same ManYoo who are playing Rosenborg in a pre-season friendly in Norway in July, followed by…
- Rangers at Murrayfield,
- Arsenal in Los Angeles,
- Real Betis in San Diego, and
- Liverpool in Columbia, South Carolina

All the top Prem teams have similar schedules.
Oh, and those poor “burnt out” Spurs & Newcastle players have a post-season friendly in a few weeks in….Melbourne.

Be honest for once, lads, and just admit that you all prefer the 💰to be gained from globetrotting to the prospect of having to play one or two pesky replays in Bristol, Blackpool or Burton.
 
No time to show replays on tv as the big clubs ladies football will be on with all the shirt sponsors. Football as people over the age of 40 is finished. The game off the working man has been taken over by greed and tourists who always seem to get tickets easy enough. Any way Utp big game for the real fans tomorrow
 
Toastrack said:
💯

That’ll be the same ManYoo who are playing Rosenborg in a pre-season friendly in Norway in July, followed by…
- Rangers at Murrayfield,
- Arsenal in Los Angeles,
- Real Betis in San Diego, and
- Liverpool in Columbia, South Carolina

All the top Prem teams have similar schedules.
Oh, and those poor “burnt out” Spurs & Newcastle players have a post-season friendly in a few weeks in….Melbourne.

Be honest for once, lads, and just admit that you all prefer the 💰to be gained from globetrotting to the prospect of having to play one or two pesky replays in Bristol, Blackpool or Burton.
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Not forgetting the expansion of the Champions League 36 teams 8 group games instead of 6.
Then add on the expansion of The Nations league(England etc) which has added a knockout round after the 6 group games(it was 4 when it started) and its all utter bollocks about player welfare.
 
tangerinesince88 said:
I think EFL clubs should come together and withdraw from next seasons competition.
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tange, I was going to suggest just that.
Love to see the faces of the organisers of this bulsh1t if all the lower league teams withdrew.

Maybe the lower leagues could organise their own Cup Competition?
No FA involvement.
 
I did get a reply from the FA eventually, so CEO Mark Bullingham’s email must have been swamped. Ha ! Here it is…

Dear XXXXXXX

Thank you for your email to Mark Bullingham's office which has been passed onto the Customer Engagement team for response.

We have listened to the concerns expressed 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.
Thank you again for taking the time to write. The thoughts and feelings of England supporters are extremely important to us and your comments have been shared internally for feedback.

Kind regards,

Customer Engagement Team
The Football Association
 
Archibald Knox said:
I did get a reply from the FA eventually, so CEO Mark Bullingham’s email must have been swamped. Ha ! Here it is…
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So basically the same rubbish that their PR people put together just over a week ago and something that has been contradicted by the EFL.
Not only are the FA in the hands of the EPL, they are also fundamentally dishonest (aka lying through their teeth).

Bullingham needs to be removed.
 
What it needs is publicity, and the best way to get publicity in my book would be for each and every supporters club to come together and peacefully protest, at the death of the FA Cup, on the morning of the FA Cup Final. The press would be all over it, If there were one in Bradford I would certainly go in full Tangerine regalia and even the wife has also said she would go, borrowing one of my shirts. It would take a bit of organising but would be effective , so long as people behave.
 
bill40 said:
The time is fast approaching when Premier league teams won't participate and that will be a very sad day.
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it has already happened, was it the year united were in the club world cup? wont surprise me to see a PL cup, maybe with a few invitees from the championship. the FA is killing itself by a thousand little cuts
 
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