Leyton Orient CEO, Mark Devlin has blasted a series of “very damaging” format changes to the FA Cup.
The FA yesterday announced that replays would be dropped amongst a raft of changes to the FA Cup from next season onwards.
Whilst many clubs have issued statements expressing their dismay, Leyton Orient’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Devlin has issued a public statement via the O’s website blasting the specific decision to axe replays.
“For this decision to be made without a full consultation with EFL clubs and the wider game is quite incredible.
“The FA are the guardians of the entire English game, not just the top of it and this decision is potentially very damaging for our football pyramid.”
Devlin proceeded to address the importance of replays to Orient – which included three replays en-route to their eventual Fifth Round exit to Arsenal in 2010-11 season albeit via a replay away at Emirates Stadium.
“At Orient, we have seen first-hand exactly how beneficial FA Cup replays can be. The revenue the club generated from its FA Cup run in 2011, which concluded with a replay at Arsenal, made the club almost £2m, which was circa 30 per cent of that year’s annual turnover.
“Financial sustainability in football is, of course, a hot topic at present and although as a club you would never budget for a big FA Cup tie or replay, the funds they do generate can make a huge difference to clubs outside of the Premier League and their local communities.
“As well as the obvious financial advantages, there is the excitement that comes with the FA Cup as a whole and replays. Since I have joined Orient, I have been told many times about the crazy 8-2 victory over Droylsden. The removal of replays takes all that away.”
Devlin also took aim at UEFA over their new Champions League format which he believes is behind the decision to scrap FA Cup replays, whilst fearing that the EFL Cup will also come under threat with impact upon revenue for EFL clubs.
“My personal belief is that this decision has been made to accommodate an expanded Champions League fixture list, which now looks very much like a European Super league but in different clothing.”
“I am concerned that an increased number of European fixtures will also threaten the future of the EFL Cup and Premier League participation within it, which will impact the revenue made available to EFL clubs.
“For this decision to be made after the Premier League had argued against the introduction of an independent regulator and whilst they are dragging their heels over a new distribution deal for the EFL is upsetting for all clubs at our level.”
Devlin consequently is “extremely disappointed” by the FA’s decision to go ahead with the format changes without “firm agreement and commitment to EFL clubs and redistribution.”
On what he wishes the furore to achieve, Devlin concluded: “I hope that the FA will have the courage to put this decision on hold and hold a full consultation with EFL and non-league clubs before coming to a final decision.”
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