Following the announcement yesterday about changes to the FA Cup effective from the 2024-25 season, we'd like to express our disappointment in the lack of any consultation with other teams competing in England's most treasured cup competition, outside of the Premier League.
The FA Cup is a competition which delivers memorable moments for many teams at all levels across England, so removing replays removes the opportunity for clubs to create history, memorable moments and also potentially essential revenue at all levels of the football pyramid.
There are over 700 teams which take part in the FA Cup every year, and with it being the oldest club competition in the world, everyone, particularly in England, feels connected to football at varying levels, with many having their own story and connection to the competition.
There are many memories for Swindon Town fans of all ages when it comes to the FA Cup, including in replayed fixtures so to see them be abolished going into next season is extremely disappointing.
Town's FA Cup Third Round replay against Fulham which Swindon won 5-0 at The County Ground is a game which Swindon Town supporters historically remember, along with the 3-1 Third Round replay against West Ham in 1967 in front of over 25,000 fans shows how much this competition and in particular, FA Cup replays, mean to football supporters at all levels.
The decision that was announced yesterday will now impact not just the FA Cup, but the wider football community and it is absolutely unacceptable that this has been allowed to happen with minimal discussion with Football League, National League or any grassroots member clubs.
We as a Club encourage those involved in the decision and at the FA to suspend changes immediately until all clubs have been consulted and outcomes can be achieved that support the majority, not the minority, in terms of the competition’s participants.
