Sutton United FC stands in solidarity with our fellow non-Premier League clubs in expressing our profound disappointment at the recent announcement outlining the change in format to the FA Cup competition which sees the scrapping of replays from the First Round Proper onwards, thereby removing an utterly vital source of income for all clubs outside the Premier League.
We are a club which has, both historically and more recently, been very acquainted with both the exhilarating highs - and the challenging lows - which each season's FA Cup journey brings. This wonderful competition provides the opportunity for glory on the pitch and crucial financial benefit for clubs all the way down the pyramid. This is all greatly enhanced by the chance of a replay against a higher ranked team in each round, something which has now been removed at a stroke by the changes announced with absolutely no consultation with the affected parties. Importantly, the FA Cup also provides never-to-be-forgotten, precious memories for supporters which become the stuff of folklore for whole communities for generations to come.
The FA Cup embodies the essence of ALL football clubs under the FA umbrella and it is extremely disheartening to witness changes being imposed by a minority representing less than 3% of the clubs which enter the competition.
The football pyramid is the bedrock of English football and we advocate for the suspension of these changes until all stakeholders of this cherished jewel in the crown of English football are thoroughly and properly consulted.
