Dear Sir
As probably the oldest football club shareholders association in the world, whose members have seen Everton win the FA Cup several times and have also seen us fall to giant-killers, we feel compelled to register our dismay at the scheduling of our Third Round tie with Peterborough.
Like last season, we see our game shunted to a Thursday night. But we feel more upset for our League One opponents and their supporters.
Playing at a famous Premier League stadium on a Saturday not only provides a small club with the prospect of a financial windfall to boost their sustainability, but also offers their fans a great day out that helps to bind further their common bond.
All of that, however, is significantly diminished when the game is played on a Thursday night.
The chances of an atmospheric full house are reduced and, furthermore, the host club feels compelled to cut admission prices in order to encourage supporters to turn up in person, rather than watch on screen at home, especially during school term-time.
Whether this reduction in gate income is matched by the fee for broadcast on BBC iPlayer is doubtful. What will the two clubs receive?
As for the Peterborough supporters, many of whom would have been planning to make a weekend of it, or simply a day trip, they now have to make decisions about the viability of taking time off work, and youngsters out of school, to do a 360-mile round trip based around a weeknight 7.45pm kick-off.
The likelihood of fewer Peterborough fans in attendance surely reduces the chance of a giant-killing, which is part of the oft-quoted "magic of the Cup".
Instead, the FA and its TV partners have chosen to screen on the Saturday the near formalities of the Premier League champions at home to League Two Salford, a round trip for away fans of 10 miles, and the Premier League leaders at home to 88th-placed Accrington Stanley, a round trip of 90 miles.
Accordingly, we ask: Exactly who takes these decisions, and on what basis?
Finally, with Everton set to move to a new stadium, it is worth pointing out that even if we go all the way to Wembley this season, this Third Round tie could be the last ever FA Cup match played at the 132-year-old football cathedral that is Goodison Park.
Such a pity that this potentially historic game has been moved to a Thursday night.
We look forward to receiving your response.
Kind Regards
Julie Hobson
EFCSA Chair
FA RESPONSE
Dear Julie
Thank you for your letter outlining your concerns regarding the scheduling of Everton's upcoming Emirates FA Cup fixture v Peterborough on Thursday 9th January.
Scheduling live fixtures for the Emirates FA Cup Third Round has been challenging due to a number of factors, and we have had to balance the needs of the clubs, local authorities, police, and broadcasters where applicable.
We always try to work closely and collaboratively with all clubs when scheduling live broadcast fixtures in the Emirates FA Cup, and we were in contact with both clubs when scheduling their Third Round tie.
Thanks to more fixtures being broadcast than ever, clubs are benefitting from significant increases in prize money – including, new for this year, additional prize money for the teams that lose in Rounds 1-3 , meaning clubs have guaranteed income alongside gate receipts win or lose. This broadcast arrangement also enables us to invest more funding into every level of English football, including communities and facilities across the wider grassroots game.
As a result, both clubs will receive a guaranteed prize fund of £25,000 for participation in the Third Round, with £115,000 for the winner. In addition, both clubs will receive a fee of £40,000 as a result of their tie being selected for broadcast on Thursday 9th January.
With games being played from Thursday through to Monday as stated above scheduling is always difficult , this game could have been chosen for Friday evening or Sunday, however Thursday was chosen for various reasons and also taking into account Everton hosting two home PL games on the following Wednesday and Sunday .
We are also aware of it being the final season at Goodison and will ensure that is considered should the club go into the next round and are drawn at home .
Best wishes
Mark Mark Bullingham
CEO The FA Group Address: Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London, SW1P 9EQ
T: 0800 169 1863 Ext: 4088
