FA CUP live TV and prize fund awards

[RonManager]

http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/2010/4RTVTies.aspx

 

The clubs that are selected for live FA Cup TV encounters are paid significant amounts of money (see web page), basically because they have been lucky enough to have been picked for live transmission as the result of a random cup draw throwing up 'interesting' ties.

 

Is this fair or should this FA money be distributed to those that need it ie. grass roots development and/or the lower division/non-league clubs?

 

Imagine the impact of that money on, say Forest Green Rovers (not selected) compared to Chelsea, Man City, Spurs, Arsenal and (probably) Liverpool.

 

Discuss.

[St Landrew]

I never discuss anything nowadays when ordered to discuss. It's a throwback to exam papers.

 

However, where are ManU when ITV need them..?

[hamster]

I would much prefer to watch the 'minnows' on TV, it's the level that I always used to think I would one day achieve as a youngster.

[UniS]

As a board member of a club who were knocked out in the earlier rounds - I can vouch for how valuable the prize money is to clubs at all levels, but perhaps more significantly those at lower level.

 

We were knocked out after surrendering a 4-1 lead with twenty minutes to play, and then being pegged back to 2-2 in the 96th minute of injury time in the replay, before losing on penalties.

 

If we had held on for another few seconds, we would have had an away tie at a big non league club (the gate receipts are split remember), and the prize money. We would have been set for two seasons - and wouldn't have had to scrape by on sponsor money (not easy to get hold of at this level).

 

I'd imagine that almost every team in non-league football is making a loss on every home match (with the exception of AFC Wimbledon).

 

I've strayed from the point a little, but it goes to show how a cup run can help a club - not only does it draw in more fans, but boosts the bank balance.

 

Perhaps there should be some legislation whereby the lowest-placed home team automatically becomes one of the televised matches? That's crazy talk of course, but it's one way of beginning to balance out the huge gap between the top, middle and bottom levels of the game.

[UniS]

It would also be nice to see some of the earlier rounds televised... there is enough dross on ITV1, 2, 3 and 4 that two hours on a Saturday could be used for the qualifying rounds at least!

[RonManager]

As a board member of a club who were knocked out in the earlier rounds - I can vouch for how valuable the prize money is to clubs at all levels, but perhaps more significantly those at lower level.

 

We were knocked out after surrendering a 4-1 lead with twenty minutes to play, and then being pegged back to 2-2 in the 96th minute of injury time in the replay, before losing on penalties.

 

If we had held on for another few seconds, we would have had an away tie at a big non league club (the gate receipts are split remember), and the prize money. We would have been set for two seasons - and wouldn't have had to scrape by on sponsor money (not easy to get hold of at this level).

 

I'd imagine that almost every team in non-league football is making a loss on every home match (with the exception of AFC Wimbledon).

 

 

I've strayed from the point a little, but it goes to show how a cup run can help a club - not only does it draw in more fans, but boosts the bank balance.

 

Perhaps there should be some legislation whereby the lowest-placed home team automatically becomes one of the televised matches? That's crazy talk of course, but it's one way of beginning to balance out the huge gap between the top, middle and bottom levels of the game.

 

I think your post sums up the feeling and experience for so many clubs who are participating in this competition. My local team Taunton Town exist on a shoestring so I am well aware of the importance of potential paydays that occur once a year in the FA Cup.

 

I'd certainly like to see a payment system weighted towards the lower division/non-league clubs and I'm sure a lot of us would like to see more of the qualifying rounds, which would give the FA a chance to advertise the competition earlier and allow more money to go where it is most needed.

 

What adds insult to injury is that the larger or 'big four' clubs are the one's most guilty of showing disrespect to the competition by playing weakened teams. I fail to understand why such matches as West Ham v Arsenal and in the 4th round Stoke v Arsenal are chosen for live transmission in these early rounds, when there are matches which are more deserving in terms of the 'giant-killing' factor which we all love (Villa v Brighton for instance). Notts County v Forest Green does not even figure on the FATV.

 

All the best to to you and your club for the future (Guildford)?

Edited 5 January, 2010 by RonManager
typos etc