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Maidstone owner takes aim at BBC and ITV after snubbing them and missing out on FA Cup upset

Maidstone United owner Oliver Ash takes aim at the BBC and ITV after snubbing them and then missing out on broadcasting an FA Cup upset.

When the TV selections for the FA Cup Third Round were announced, much of social media slammed the broadcasters for choosing all-Premier League ties over games involving lower league teams such as Maidstone who have done superbly to get to that stage of the competition.

The National League South side’s co-owner Oliver Ash called out ratings-hungry TV bosses for not having live coverage of what was the best story of the FA Cup Third Round, with Maidstone, the lowest ranked side left in the competition, winning 1-0 against League One outfit Stevenage, thanks to a penalty from Sam Corne.

Had Maidstone v Stevenage been picked for main terrestrial TV, it would have been a £85,000 bonus for the sides involved, something which would be a huge boost for sides especially below the Premier League.

And yet while there were still minnows left in the tournament, it seems the BBC and ITV instead chose to involve over half of the clubs in the Premier League.

“Most people are amazed the cameras are not here,” Ash said, as per the Express.

“I get that more people support Everton and Crystal Palace so the TV companies think they will get more viewers than Maidstone. But it is a shame because the competition is all about game like ours – the lowest-ranked club in the competition against a side that could well be in the Championship next year.

“It would have been wonderful TV. It is all about the magic of the FA Cup – it is so wonderful for the spirit of the club, the community and the town.

“Definitely this is the biggest result in the club’s history. We are not going to win it, but more and the more the FA Cup is something magic for clubs like ours. It may have lost its magic for the top clubs but it has gained its magic for us.

“I want a home tie. Having seen what it means to people to come and watch a big game here, it would be magic – even compared to a trip to one of the big clubs. So let’s get Manchester City down to the Gallagher!”

SEE MORE: Maidstone fan invades pitch to swear and goad Steve Evans after FA Cup upset against Stevenage

This is how fans reacted as the Maidstone owner takes aim at the BBC and ITV after snubbing them and missing out on showing their FA Cup upset live on air…

@lukecfc5: I hope ITV and BBC realise with these dreadful matches that all premier league ties aren’t worthy of dominating the FA cup tv schedule. There’s been more entertainment in five minutes of a typical national league game this season than the 135 minutes of #FACup TV so far #TOTBUR

@justafan1m: They’ve absolutely fumbled those 3rd round pics. 😂

@Robbie_3456547: Just hope u get on the telly in the 4th round. If not then something dodgy is going on

@BenSquires88: What do you mean, everyone loved Palace Everton.

@ShaunBlockley: 👏👏👏 Gutted the game wasn’t on tv!

@AlcalasNoseband: Disgrace that no non-league sides were selected. @BBCSport @ITVSport

@padders01: 👏👏👏 3 out of the 4 ties so far absolutely dire games to watch 😴😴😴

@1978simmo: They can’t ignore you guys any longer. Enjoy every second of it 👍

@cajjacko: Well played. What the FA cup is all about @EmiratesFACup

@WWFC_SD: Every wolves fan is behind you lot!! Big george 💪🐺

@Aidendi016: Us at Eastleigh too both small clubs getting a great result today and people would have loved the story of the small clubs winning but no palace vs Everton gets the tv 🤦‍♂️

@troutbeckwolf: Just had a endure Boro v Villa borefest

@karenparker_70: Whoever picked them all should be fired!

@TAIEpodcast: Disgraceful you weren’t selected for TV. Here’s hoping you get one of the big boys in the next round and it’s on TV. Long live the magic of the FA cup! #FACup

@RonnieMehmet: No surprise. Boring tv pics. Same old same old. Get Maidstone on that box! @itvfootball @BBCSport @SkyFootball

@Progman68: BBC continuity announcer heralded the magic of the fa cup before the Boro v villa game 🧌 💩

@olliereeve: Honestly the people making the selections for which cup games get televised are so out of touch with what people want to watch. No one could give a fuck about Palace v Everton or Spurs v Burnley. Hope Maidstone get televised next round

@GeorgeGrimes2: A boring wkend of football TV viewing. SpursVBurn ArsVpool. It’s the FA cup why not show Maidstone Vs Stevenage it’s the love of the cup

@mej050593: So so wrong that Maidstone’s tie againstStevenage not shown as TV game, years ago would have been first chosen, now it’s all about which tie will get most money for companies, let’s hope next round they are picked,deservedly so as well

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