FA Sticks the Knife into non-league clubs (again)

[David Holden]

FA GET TOUGH ON GROUND SWITCHES

By Mark Bradley, PA Sport Chief Soccer Writer

 

The Football Association today announced new rules to stop non-League clubs such as Farnborough switching FA Cup ties to Barclaycard Premiership grounds, but stressed they would not bow to pressure to end replays.

 

The FA made it clear any teams switching cup ties to their opponent's ground would, from next season onwards, not be allowed to benefit financially from the move and could even be barred from the competition the following year.

 

The FA were concerned by the situation surrounding Farnborough's fourth-round tie against Arsenal, which was moved to Highbury following concerns over safety issues at the Nationwide Conference side's own ground.

 

Their response has been to strengthen the rule-book to make sure it becomes virtually impossible for a similar problem to occur in the future.

 

From 2003/2004 onwards, all clubs, whether League or non-League, participating in the FA Cup tie will be required on the entry form to state the maximum capacity at their ground for all matches, regardless of the opposition.

 

This must be accompanied by a commitment from the club and a declaration signed by the local safety authority or police force, that all home ties, against whatever opponents, can be held with that capacity in place.

 

All potential safety issues would, therefore, have to be resolved before the competition began, although this could have the knock-on effect of reducing capacity levels for some smaller clubs.

 

FA head of communications Paul Newman added: "If games are still moved, any excess money earned by the participants would go into the central pool.

 

"Entry to the competition for the team drawn at home could, in those circumstances, also be refused for the following year."

 

If a cup tie still had to be moved, the first alternative would have to be the nearest `suitable' neutral venue, rather than the opponent's home ground.

 

The rule changes, which included a stipulation that clubs cannot change their pitch size during the season, as Stoke allegedly did this season against Chelsea, were passed at the FA Challenge Cup committee's meeting today.

 

The committee, headed by Chelsea chairman Ken Bates, also stressed opposition to proposals voiced recently by Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein and boss Arsene Wenger for FA Cup replays to be scrapped.

 

The Arsenal duo, who have received outline support for their ideas from England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, believe changes are needed to ease the packed fixture calendar.

 

The Gunners' England internationals will face five games in just under a fortnight due to their team's impending FA Cup quarter-final replay against Chelsea.

 

While Dein accepts replays may have to stay in place before the fifth round, the committee were opposed to the idea in any shape or form, even though there are already no replays in the final or semi-final as these are played at neutral venues.

 

Newman added: "The committee members were very strongly of the view that there should be no alteration to the rules which would eliminate FA Cup replays before the semi-finals.

 

"The committee took the view that replays are part of the fabric and romance of the FA Cup competition and should not be removed."

 

The committee believe replays allow clubs to generate a further £265,000 in TV rights if the game is broadcast live, as well as a significant sum in gate receipts, at a time when football is facing ever-increasing financial pressures.

[color:"red"]

So when we draw Aston Villa at home again we have to go to Gillingham rather than Villa Park where we could make some real money.

 

And the FA want us to believe that they care about the grass roots of football [/color]

[Student Scum]

Have been reading this for some minutes without being sure just how one should respond......

I just cannot believe the arrogant stance they've taken this time....

They've *****d things up before but this is beyond comprehension.

Just unbelievable!!

[carjam]

Gillinghams ground may well not have been suitable for the Aston Villa game. Charlton would have been better all round.

 

Sorry but basically I agree with the FA this time.

[FleetFanatic]

Whilst I agree that the extra cash generated is nice,

I have never agreed with tie-switching.

 

If you're drawn at home, you play at home.

If more people want to see the game - you set up tv screens at the opponents ground and charge accordingly.

 

After all, the cash is shared, so it is also in the opponent's interests.

 

Bring on Scumchester at home next January.....

[Alan ( GNFC )]

....and yet they ignore the Westley scenario :

i ) Charlery cant play due to a clause in his contract , set up with Westley , offering a one year extension after so many appearances .

ii ) Transfer embargo due to Rodwell non-payment by Westley .

iii ) Seven players moving clubs with Westley

iv ) Farnborough being run by an employee of Westley's own company

v ) Cup run funds getting ' lost'.

 

[David Holden]

Quote:

Whilst I agree that the extra cash generated is nice,
I have never agreed with tie-switching.

If more people want to see the game - you set up tv screens at the opponents ground and charge accordingly.

After all, the cash is shared, so it is also in the opponent's interests.

So the four thousand people who went to see us play at Villa but wouldn't get a ticket for a home game would do what? Get a coach to Villa Park and watch on a screen?

Get real!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FleetFanatic]

Quote:

So the four thousand people who went to see us play at Villa but wouldn't get a ticket for a home game would do what? Get a coach to Villa Park and watch on a screen?

Get real!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK I see your point and didn't think of it in that way but where are the 4,000 now? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Stevenage managed to host Newcastle a few years back with some temporary scaffolding - anything is really possible with some positive thinking.

The magic of the cup was always the little clubs being drawn at home to the big clubs.....

.....of course this was before money became such a big issue.

I seem to recall all the neutrals were egging Farnborough on to play at home to Arsenal - personally, I thought that they were wrong to switch the tie.

[Andrewc]

Thank you Mr. Westley. I hope you get what you deserve, Ryman League football next season.

[Alan W (GNFC)]

Unless his money talks, he might not even be managing a Ryman League team next season - how sad it would be (not) if he got sacked by Stevenage following relegation.

[I.C.@G&NFC]

Quote:

If you're drawn at home, you play at home.

 

Yes, agree with that. It's not just the money, in a competition as historic as the F.A. Cup, it's the taking part.

 

Quote:

So the four thousand people who went to see us play at Villa but wouldn't get a ticket for a home game would do what?

 

No, they'd watch it at home on TV. Oh! But what about the lost revenue, I hear you cry. If it was televised, and it would be, in full or in part it would be all profit for the club.

[Rotten Johnny Shawcraw]

Quote:

Gillinghams ground may well not have been suitable for the Aston Villa game. Charlton would have been better all round.

Sorry but basically I agree with the FA this time.

Yes I'd have to agree with the FA too, a first time for everything! The Farnborough nonsense made a mockery of the draw if you come out first you should play at home or if there is a very good reason not too, and not just for financial gain, switch it to the nearest suitable ground, I'm sure we all remember Hereford v Newcastle and Sutton v Coventry, surely thats what the FA Cup is all about!

[Graham S]

I suppose it was Westley's transparent money grabbing that forced their hand, but, yes, I agree on the non switching idea, too.

 

I'll never forget that trip to Villa Park, but let's be honest, once we'd agreed to play away, there wasn't the remotest chance in Hell of an upset. Even today's team which is technically much better equipped wouldn't have had a prayer. But at home, yes an upset is always just possible.

 

I dream of seeing the Fleet do what Hereford did all those years ago & Sutton did relatively recently. The money is nothing compared with that experience - and (as long as it stays) there's now the substantial prize money for each round, which a linesman on Mogadon & the former drummer with Genesis denied us this year.

 

Graham S

[David Holden]

I'm pleased to see that the majority of opinion in the NLP today thought the FA had it wrong, including a certain Mr Killcullen who was interviewed briefly.

 

There's still time for the FA to rethink it's position.

[Alan W (GNFC)]

I still believe games should either be played at home, or at the nearest league ground - it was a great day out at Villa Park, and had we got that first minute penalty, who knows ?? But why cant games be played at the nearest league club, such as Charlton in our case ??

[David Holden]

Well the fact that Charlton were at home to Sheffield United that day may have had something to do with it.

[Alan W (GNFC)]

Very sad, dave, that you have such facts at your fingertips !!

 

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