Rochdale Football Club expresses its sincere disappointment at Thursday’s announcement regarding the scrapping of FA Cup replays from the first round onwards.
As we understand it, there was no consultation from the FA with any clubs outside of the Premier League. EFL, National League and grassroots clubs were left to receive the news via the mainstream media, much to our dismay.
The importance of FA Cup replays to clubs like us must not be underestimated. One of our proudest days came in the historic competition in 2018, when we travelled to Wembley to face Tottenham Hotspur in a fifth-round replay. Two years later, a third-round replay at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park followed.
Occasions like these provide vital income for clubs but also leave supporters with lifelong memories that only competitions like the FA Cup can produce.
That these opportunities have been taken away from all the 700-plus clubs who enter the competition, particularly after a lack of consultation, shows a complete disrespect for the football pyramid.
We implore the FA to reconsider this decision. We will be working with fellow National League clubs, and all those affected, to do all we can to oppose it.
