Paul Hurst anger at huge FA decision
Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst says it is ludicrous the EFL clubs were not consulted before the FA Cup restructure was announced.
Last week, the FA decided the world’s oldest football competition will only be played on weekends with replays set to be scrapped from the first round onwards.
The decision led to widespread criticism of the country’s governing body, and Shrewsbury released their own statement objecting in the ‘strongest terms possible’.
And Paul Hurst has doubled down on that after being asked about the decision.
“I am probably in agreement with a lot of the statements that have gone out from the clubs that I have read,” the Town head coach said.
“It seems ludicrous really that clubs have not been consulted first and foremost, and the revenue that it can provide.
“There is already talk around ticket prices being reduced when a lower ranked team face a higher ranked team so they are already losing out.
“Then to lose out on a potential replay. I know the club have been involved in some and I have been involved in some and what that means for everyone financially and then again from a memories point of view. We know why it has happened, but it just seems to be that gap is getting bigger all the time, and we only seem to care and worry about the sort of top teams.”
Arguments from the top clubs surround the number of matches and not being able to fit it into their already busy schedules – but Hurst says clubs like Salop have plenty of matches of their own.
“We can open a whole debate up about getting tired and feeling tired,” he added. “We play plenty of games ourselves, I can assure you of that. We don’t have the facilities and resources to aid the recovery that they get.
“We won’t be going to Australia or Asia for a pre-season tour.
“I know it is all linked to money and sponsorship – I get that, but it feels like it is about time a bit more was given back to not only clubs at our level, but below that as well.”
Shrewsbury have had their own success in the competition in recent times with two trips to Liverpool in 2019-20 and then again in 2021-22.
The competition has also seen them take on Wolves and Southampton on the road in recent years.
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