Non league minnows could be EXCLUDED from the FA Cup if next season is delayed

Non league minnows could be EXCLUDED from the FA Cup if next season is delayed, which would be a huge blow for them financially.

English Football League clubs reportedly wants that the First Round Proper to take place in its usual slot of November.

It leaves many fearing that qualifying rounds will be scrapped if the full football pyramid fail to start the next campaign on time in August, which is still the hope, despite plans for the top two tiers of English football looking likely to restart the season in June.

A total of 739 clubs entered the FA Cup this season, and it starts with the first extra preliminary round in early August. Though it could be that just the fourth qualifying round, which takes place in mid-October, will be the only round prior to the first round to take place next season in order for league fixtures to be completed.

If so, the only non league clubs participating in the FA Cup next season will be of those from the National League, National League North and National League South.

Those who would missed out are said to already be in discussion with the boards of several lower leagues. One proposal is that the FA spread the regular prize fund to all clubs, though that would depend on their own financial situation.

Clubs receive prize money for winning in each round of the cup and reaching the first round proper would have earned teams £46,000 this season, a significant income to many who have an annual turnover of barely £100,000.

National League club Sutton United for example got as far as the fifth round in 2017, which bagged them a total of £700,000 in prize money and TV fees. So you can really see how vital this is for them.

Non league clubs waited a fair while for a decision to be put to them, meaning they have had no choice but to let players’ contracts run down to save money over the summer and in order to survive, whilst hoping the Government not only gives the green light to allow fans back in stadiums, but also puts money into them.

It goes to show how important of the FA Cup means to top teams that it’s barely had a mention in all the talks over Project Restart, so much so that Chris Wilder of Sheffield United has urged for some clarity.

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