End of FA Cup replays a 'sad day' says Salisbury FC Chairman
The club's responded to changes announced for the competition
Salisbury FC's Chairman has described the end of replays in the 'proper rounds' of the FA Cup as a 'sad day for the concept of a football pyramid'.
The Football Association and the Premier League has announced changes this week, which would see the games scrapped, to prevent a fixture build up for higher level clubs.
The Whites say the decision 'devalues the oldest and greatest domestic football cup competition in the world'.
They've also raised concerns about the affects on 'potential income' for lower league clubs.
Salisbury FC Chairman, Ian Hammond said:
"The news that replays in the FA Cup are to cease from the first round proper shows the continued dominance in the English game of the leading (usually foreign-owned) clubs in the Premier League for whom a replay in a national competition is a nuisance when compared with playing in ever-growing European and worldwide competitions.
"The impact on non-league clubs and indeed smaller EFL clubs will not be widespread, but for those who make it through to the early rounds, it could cut off a lifeline to financial stability. A sad day for the concept of a football pyramid where income flows from the top to the bottom."