A statement issued on behalf of the Viking Supporters' Cooperative:
The Viking Supporters Cooperative is appalled that such major and fundamental changes can be made to the FA Cup without, it seems, any consultation with the EFL, supporter groups or anybody outside the English Premier League.
The very fact that the removal of early round replays without the consultation of the clubs and supporters that it does affect shows the scant regard that those clubs lower down the English football pyramid are held in by the elites of the Premier League.
It seems that the wishes, and fortunes, of clubs like ours are disrespected when it comes to the scheduling of European competitions, something that we would never expect of a Football Association that prides itself on being the first and premier association in world football.
The FA Cup has always been about dreams, achieving something that doesn’t happen often and yet when it does is remembered forever. Who can forget the cup games against Liverpool, and the trip to Anfield in the 73/74 season, that came about because of a replay?
Yet again football in this country has shown itself to be in desperate need of an Independent Football Regulator with the powers to deter the vested interests of a few clubs who seem determined to shape football for themselves. This change cannot come soon enough.
Finally, we ask the FA to suspend these changes until a fair consultation has taken place with supporters and clubs who are to be impacted by this decision. We implore the FA to help us hang onto our dreams and not, with a stroke, remove them from clubs like us.
