DON’T DENY US OUR CUP DREAM
STRIKER Shaun Harrad played for Burton Albi- on against Manchester United at Old Trafford in a 2006 FA Cup third round replay.
“It’s what dreams are made of.
“You dream about playing against the biggest clubs in the world. We drew 0-0 with Manchester United at the Pirelli Stadium and took them to a replay at Old Trafford. It showed that anything is possible.
“I remember it like it was yesterday. There was a whole buzz around the club and the town itself. It was a massive coup for eveyone involved and one I won’t experience again.
“Look at Bury going bust, Macclesfield struggling to pay staff bills.
“These kind of games give them a foot to build on that, that’s how important it is, it’s the proof in the pudding there
“I think scrapping FA Cup replays would change the whole conecpt and outlook of the cup. I don’t think anything should
change at all.”
CRAIG ELLIOTT was manager of the Boston United side which held Rochdale in the FA Cup second round this season.
“Leave it as it is. I know it would benefit the bigger clubs and the richer teams at the top, but obviously clubs like ourselves at this level, it’s not just financial incentive but it’s the memories.
“The replay we had against Rochdale, scoring a goal, 4,000 fans there – it’s a memory our fans will have forever. Scrapping those scenarios are bad for NonLeague, really.
“I’m a bit old school with these things. There’s a romance to the FA Cup, it’s been like that for a number of years and for Non-League teams it’s a massive competition.
“Scrap that and you lose a lot of those fairytale stories. Not only do you get a replay and play it at home, you can get to play at a big stadium. It’s just part of the journey and memories really, added to that you’ve got the financial aspect, which is massive to teams.
“The replay absolutely made our season. We generated a bigger fan base and real excitement, and we were on the tele as well! It’s kicked us on this season and for many years to come.
“It created a massive buzz around the place. Without that replay I’m not sure we’d have that to be honest.”
JAI REASON took on Bolton Wanderers in an FA Cup third round replay while playing for Eastleigh...
“You can’t scrap them. Financially for the lower-league teams, it can make or break a season, the TV money they get it really helps the club out.
“The TV money from a replay could give you the money to buy a player that could be the difference for a team and shouldn’t be done to the teams lower down the leagues.”