A battle for survival

FA accused of selling out hard-up lower league clubs | Ties vital lifeline to teams and boost for communities

- JEREMY ARMSTRONG

CAMPAIGNERS last night accused the FA of selling out struggling lower league clubs by scrapping FA Cup replays that can be a vital lifeline to them and a boost to communities.

And big names in the game along with fans and politicians came out fighting against the decision after the Mirror launched a bid to reinstate the matches.

Gate receipts and TV cash can make the difference between bankruptcy and survival for many clubs while also boosting facilities at grassroots level, from junior teams of all ages to older people playing walking football.

FA chiefs claim clubs will not lose out as there will be more televised games in the early rounds of the competition.

England legend Peter Reid led the call for the FA to bring back replays, which some claim were axed under pressure from billionaire owners of Premier League clubs fearing fixture pile-ups.

Reid, who won the FA cup in 1984 with Everton, told how his brother Shaun managed Warrington Town when they beat Exeter City in the 2014 FA Cup first round, pouring money into coffers of the Northern League club.

The 67-year-old said: "They [the FA] are selling out the little clubs in the footballing pyramid for the elite.