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Guiseley chief vents anger at FA Cup replays being scrapped to ‘benefit four Premier League clubs’

Guiseley chief James Pickles vents anger at FA Cup replays being scrapped by the FA to ‘benefit four Premier League clubs’.

The Northern Premier League Premier Division took League One side Stevenage to extra time and penalties in the FA Cup First Round over the weekend.

This was the first season with replays being scrapped, much to the frustration of Guiseley general manager James Pickles.

His side missed out on a second chance to face Stevenage in front of their own fans, having played out a 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes, and believe they could have earned up to an extra £50,000 had the replay been picked for live TV coverage.

The FA said replays were being got rid of because of the expansion of UEFA’s club competitions and the pressure that placed on the domestic football calendar.

Yet Premier League teams don’t enter until the Third Round. Making the decision more puzzling to scrap for the First and Second Round Proper when plenty of non league teams feature and would benefit greatly from the extra income.

Pickles said to the PA news agency: “I think replays have been scrapped to benefit seven clubs, if we’re all honest.

“No, probably not even that – probably four clubs. And there are thousands of clubs who enter the FA Cup.”

On if he would like the FA to reconsider, he said: “I would, but I think it would be difficult for them now, to have had one season without replays to say ‘we got this wrong’ and put their hands up. I can’t see them doing that.

“If you look at leagues, they always say the clubs vote on matters in the leagues. It probably should be the case for cups as well. That feels like a simple way to look at it, rather than listen to those top four or seven clubs and going with it.”

Pickles says there was “zero” consultation with his club on the scrapping of replays, feeling there was “no logic at all” to getting rid of them prior to the third round.

“You can understand with the pressure (on the calendar) bringing it in where the Premier League clubs join, but to force it upon League One, League Two and non-league clubs is a bit bizarre really,” he said. Exactly what many people are thinking.

Under the new prize money structure, clubs who are knocked out of the first round will receive money for the first time, meaning Guiseley are to get £15,000 after their exit to Stevenage.

Pickles estimated gate receipts from a replay would have matched that, with the potential for a further £35,000 or so if selected for TV broadcast.

He also put a suggestion forward that the FA should have considered was the old FA Trophy model, which would see clubs discuss amongst themselves whether they wanted a replay, with a replay being the default setting if they couldn’t agree.

From a sporting perspective, he felt scrapping replays does improve non-league teams’ chances of an upset.

“I do think on a sporting front you’ve got more chance of going through without replays,” he said.

“What we’d all thought is, without that safety net of a replay for the league clubs, you have got more chance of progressing. We thought if they do have an off-day, there’s no second chance for them, and we felt (Stevenage) were there for the taking in the last five minutes.

“It’s difficult to say whether the increase in prize money compensates, because of course you’re not guaranteed a replay. But it’s knowing that chance of a bonus exists.”

Henry Winter tweeted: “The FA agreed to scrap FA Cup replays because of “expanded European” demands on seven elite Premier League clubs who don’t enter the Cup until the third round anyway, have big squads and some will go on post-season tours or to the Fifa Club World Cup. Such a senseless, heartless decision highlighted this weekend with Non-League clubs like Weston-super-Mare, Hednesford Town, Guiseley, Southend United and others denied a replay, a chance of more revenue and potential memories for a lifetime. The Cup is a great competition, a historic institution that should be cherished and better protected. The game is about David as well as Goliath. #FACup”

One social media user, Trevor Bissouma, replied: “But then something has to give elsewhere no? The schedule for all teams atm, not just teams in Europe, is outrageous.”

To which Henry added: “Agreed too many games for the elite, Trevor. But they don’t enter until the third round. PFA FIFPRO figures on fatigue levels of elite players are alarming. But the game doesn’t need the Club World Cup (and which could damage World Cup) or post-season games.”

@DaleJohnsonESPN however says: “Reckon I’m the one of a minority who thinks this. Shoot me.

“FA Cup replays are outdated, and let’s also remember the chances of any small club getting a money-spinning FA Cup replay are so ridiculously miniscule.

“I’d hazard a guess that a lot of clubs probably lose money on FA Cup replays, played midweek with small attendances and quick turnarounds on organisation.

“I reckon in the vast majority of cases FA Cup replays will not be missed.

“And perhaps a small club would have a better chance of getting through on penalties first time than a replay?

“More prize money, another round in the cup and the possibility of a home game – and TV coverage coin.

“Oh, and get rid of extra time too.

“Straight to penalties.

“No on has missed extra time after it was dumped from the Carabao Cup years ago.”

THE FA ON SCRAPPING FA CUP REPLAYS

They have defended its decision, insisting “all parties accepted” they could not continue.

“Removing Emirates FA Cup replays was discussed in the early meetings and all parties accepted that they could not continue,” said a statement from the FA.

“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 EFL says the new format was “agreed solely between the Premier League and FA”.

But the FA claim discussions have been going on for “well over a year”.

The EFL has urged the FA to “re-evaluate their approach”, stating there was “no agreement” prior to the deal being announced and no “formal consultation”.

They also say clubs are being “marginalised in favour of others further up the pyramid”.

Then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s deputy spokesperson said: “David and Goliath fixtures are a part of the magic of the cup and we know that replays have been a welcome source of income for smaller clubs throughout the years.”

Although Downing Street said it is ultimately a decision for the footballing authorities.

Labour leader, now PM, Sir Keir Starmer said it is the “wrong decision” with replays “part of the tradition of the FA Cup”.

The FA state that the calendar for next season was approved by the Professional Game Board, which consists of four representatives from the EFL and four representatives from the Premier League.

“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 PL and will do the same for the 2024-25 season,” The FA said.

In response, the EFL said: “As part of the discussions, the EFL representatives did challenge the position and were told that clubs would be comfortable with no replays.

“They were effectively advised that, as a result, of it being an FA competition, the fixture list needed to be agreed as presented. It is also important to note that this matter was not discussed by the FA Cup committee, a separate group that oversees the competition across the professional and national game.”

Speaking at a news conference, then now former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said it is “very sad for the British football culture” but added the outcome was “inevitable”.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said his responsibility is to “protect our players”.

“In the last two seasons, they have played with no breaks,” Arteta said. “How they will have to play in the next two years, it’s not healthy. Somewhere, and I’m not saying there [FA Cup] we have to reduce the calendar.”

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola agreed the changes are a “problem” for lower-division clubs, but said it was “much better” for teams playing in European competitions.

“I understand why clubs in lower divisions complain and it has been a tradition for many years, but with the schedule that we have playing in European competition and with many players going to the national team, it is much better”

There’s been plenty of reaction while the Guiseley chief vents anger at FA Cup replays being scrapped to ‘benefit four Premier League clubs’

The Lower Tiers (@LowerTiers): “List of non-league clubs (so far) robbed of an FA Cup replay.
Braintree Town
Weston-super-Mare
Hednesford Town
Maidenhead United
Southend United
Guiseley
Forest Green
These clubs have been robbed of extra ticket money, a chance to win an invaluable amount of prize money for advancing to the next round and, most importantly, a place in the history books. This is all because the richest, most elite clubs in the country claim their schedules are too ‘big’ whilst going on a pre season tour to America and agreeing to a post season Club World Cup. Pure greed 💰

@hfc_felix: Clubs should be strongly condemning the removal of FA Cup replays – a deeply selfish and unforgivable act to favour the big 6 teams. No lower league sides were even consulted. Disgraceful. Guiseley, Weston Super Mare, Hednesford, Maidenhead, Southend, FGR etc.

@neilhay3s: @fa and @EmiratesFACup pandering to 6 clubs so they can go on lucrative tours of Dubai, Saudi and Australia. No thought to the hundreds of clubs the FA actually manage who all want replays to continue. The FA are a disgrace in how they treat the oldest cup in the world.

@TheExiledRobin: Today summed up the selfishness of the big Premier Lge clubs perfectly. Weston-s-Mare, playing arguably the biggest game in their history away at Bristol Rovers, who are 3 divisions above them, battled hard and valiantly to a hugely impressive 1-1 draw. For 140 years this would’ve meant a replay. A full house, very likely TV coverage. money & profile like they’ve never had before…plus a better chance to win through. But no. They had to battle through an extra 30mins away at the league ground & ultimately lost, missing out on the reward.

@edward_w97: Normally, we’d be getting Weston-super-Mare v Bristol Rovers, Charlton v Southend, Guiseley v Stevenage and Kettering v Northampton among the replays. But no, we’ve got to be considerate of the elite teams (who aren’t even in this yet) and their “uniquely” long schedules…

@drewski_jones: I like the French cup set up where the lower placed teams is automatically the home team. It gives them the gate receipts, no travel costs and advantage straight away. Every year the FA cup could easily help lower leagues and teams.

@FulhamTransfer: The fact they weren’t even given the opportunity to vote on it is awful. They should keep the replays until round 3 when the big boys come into it.

@heyit5sam: Magic of the cup gone perhaps? 8 non league teams would’ve earned the right to a replay. Only really Kettering who’ve benefited from there being an outright winner on the day. Greatest cup competition on earth sacrificed for a pointless cup for NL sides. Really poor from the FA

@Millar_Colin: Scrapping FA Cup replays has pros and cons but the salient point is corporate clubs forcing their will on the football pyramid. To make room for them profiting by playing more global matches. It’s one thing to ruin football for their own clubs, quite another to do so on others.

@mark42swfc: Why does the 1st round of the fa cup not going to replays anymore affect PL teams? Makes no sense at all

@ComanKingsley1: But if we had cup replays then the Premier League clubs would be too tired to jet off to Australia for friendlies a couple days after the season ends. It’s for the greater good.

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