Blackpool boss Neil Critchley says clubs in the EFL and below have been treated with “disrespect” regarding the changes to the FA Cup.
It has been announced that from next season the competition will no longer be replays from the first round onwards following a new six year agreement between the FA and the Premier League. This decision has been made due to the expansion of UEFA competitions, which will increase the number of fixtures for those at the top end of the football pyramid.
Blackpool know just how important FA replays can be, after they earned a second meeting with Nottingham Forest following a 2-2 draw at the City Ground back in January. Despite the rematch at Bloomfield Road ending in a 3-2 defeat in extra time, it still proved to be an important occasion for the Seasiders due to the revenue in gate receipts and TV money- with ITV in town to broadcast the fixture which was played in frosty conditions.
It has been announced that from next season the competition will no longer be replays from the first round onwards following a new six year agreement between the FA and the Premier League. This decision has been made due to the expansion of UEFA competitions, which will increase the number of fixtures for those at the top end of the football pyramid.
Blackpool know just how important FA replays can be, after they earned a second meeting with Nottingham Forest following a 2-2 draw at the City Ground back in January. Despite the rematch at Bloomfield Road ending in a 3-2 defeat in extra time, it still proved to be an important occasion for the Seasiders due to the revenue in gate receipts and TV money- with ITV in town to broadcast the fixture which was played in frosty conditions.
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00:00 To go to the city ground where there was 30,000 people and earn ourselves a draw,
00:08 it was a really good feeling. I remember that in the dressing room after the game and how we felt
00:14 and the lift that it gave us. And then the Nottingham Forest replay at home on the television,
00:20 the way the game went, we forced it to extra time, we nearly won it. I think that's a game that will
00:26 live in the memory from this season. I think it was a special evening, the supporters got right
00:34 behind the team. It was a proper cup tie, proper FA Cup tie. And to not have the opportunity to
00:41 play those types of games now for us and for all the other EFL teams and non-league teams,
00:47 it is very disappointing to say the least. Yeah, it was true, magical FA Cup stuff,
00:54 even before the game, how everyone did an effort to get the pitch ready, all the ice.
00:58 Exactly, exactly. That community feel where everyone mucks in, everyone goes above and
01:04 beyond to get the match on. The ground staff and people within our offices were helping out to get
01:14 the game on and we got it on. It was cold January night, it had a magical feeling about it, it was.
01:24 It was a special evening and not to have that opportunity now in the future,
01:30 I say that it just takes away a little bit again from a competition that quite rightly
01:40 in this country is something that we should be very proud of.
01:43 [BLANK_AUDIO]