Reviving the FA Cup .... ideas ?

Clarets4me · Post by **Clarets4me** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 1:35 am

Not withstanding Sean Dyche's apparent ambivalence to the FA Cup, there's an interesting article on the " Guardian's " website regarding the current status of " The greatest Cup competition in the world "....

https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... fs-wembley

There will be no replays at the 5th Round stage from this year onwards, ( Quarter final replays were scrapped in 2016/17 ) although the total FA Cup prize fund doubled from this season from £13m to around £26m. The breakdown is as follows ...

Extra preliminary round winners (184) £2,250 Losers receive £750
Preliminary round winners (160) £2,890 Losers receive £960
First round qualifying winners (116) £6,000
Second Round Qualifying winners (80) £9,000
Third Round Qualifying winners (40) £15,000
Fourth Round Qualifying winners (32) £25,000
First Round Proper winners (40) £36,000
Second Round Proper winners (20) £54,000
Third Round Proper winners (32) £135,000
Fourth Round Proper winners (16) £180,000
Fifth Round Proper winners (8) £360,000
Quarter-Final winners (4) £720,000
Semi-Final winners (2) £1,800,000
Semi-Final losers (2) £900,000
Final runners-up (1) £1,800,000
Final winners (1) £3,600,000

The comments section brought some interesting suggestions of how to increase interest in the Cup ....

1) 4th Champion's League place to go the FA Cup winners if they haven't qualified through the EPL

2) An idea from the French FA Cup .... 3rd and 4th Round ties to be automatically played at home by the Lower ranked Club, if they are from different divisions. An alternative was to give the lower ranked Club the choice ie: If say Accrington drew Everton, Accy would get the choice of hosting Everton, or switching the tie to Goodison Park, day out for fans, increased revenue etc.

3) Scrap Semi - Finals at Wembley, revert back to say Old Trafford, Villa Park or the Emerites for these games ....

4) FA Cup is a Football Association competition, as is the EPL. Divert £40m ( £2m each ) from the annual EPL TV money, to bolster the FA Cup prize fund to around £66m, and weight the rewards to increase Prize money in the earlier rounds to assist non-league and lower league Clubs.

5) Abolish extra-time altogether, it favours the bigger Clubs with deeper squads .... straight to penalties after 90 minutes ..

Any thoughts ?

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 1:53 am

Scrap semis at wembley
Champions league spot to the winner
Higher prize pot for winning the thing than finishing bottom of the premier league
If a player was 'unfit' for thw cup game make them sit out the next league game
All season ticket holders get a free entry to home cup games

God knows. Im in a minority of still loving the cup. But after the way we treat the europa league this season and after going to Burton theres no chance im wasting even just a tenner and more importantly over 90 minutes of my life bothering with Barnsley in the cup!

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 3:14 am

3pm kick offs on a Saturday

Lord_Bob · Post by **Lord_Bob** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:20 am

Agree - every game 3pm Saturday. Especially Wembley final.
Agree - Champions League for winner
Agree - semis at Villa Park, Old Trafford - I would say Hillsborough, but bad memories of big Malc.
Agree - no replays, but let's play extra time.

Like the idea of lower league teams choosing the ground. We need to keep money flowing to FL as well as PL.

I am torn as Cup Final day was one of the greatest days in football, but now we have to have the PL to survive financially and therefore it is almost OK if we lose.

Love / hate the PL. If the top six do bu**er off to Europe, it might be better for all concerned - provided some TV company will put enough money into the FL.

Father Jack · Post by **Father Jack** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 6:44 am

3rd round day.
All Prem teams (entering the competition) and Championship teams (still remaining) in a separate pot.
That pot to be drawn as the away team within all of the ties until the numbers no longer alllow (ie. no remaining balls in the first pot for home ties, or no remaining balls in the second pot for away ties).

So you’d potentially get all Prem and championship sides playing away on 3rd round day to lower league competition.
It would throw up lots of tasty ties. Lots of chances for giant killing and the much loved scenario of the big boys playing in surroundings they are not used too.
And I’d keep replays in the 3rd round only so smaller teams also get the chance of another pay-day if the games are drawn.

For me this would make the 3rd round a unique & exciting part of the cup. Reverting to the current format for drawing the ties for all subsequent rounds.

claret10 · Post by **claret10** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 7:25 am

Switch the prize money round.....the teams at the beginning would see more benefit from splitting the prize money the final winners get whereas say Chelsea would get more from the glory of winning the trophy than the 3 million prize money

RalphCoatesComb · Post by **RalphCoatesComb** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 7:36 am

Money is the problem.

Down the years, successive teams have "dissed" the Cup, including ours! Playing a weakened team because the kudos just isn't there any more.

For me, a big one was Man United's decision to withdraw from the FA Cup to go and play in some Mickey Mouse Club competition.

Reviving it?! Difficult one that. A bit like sticking a DNR notice on the bottom of the hospital bed that contains your favourite Aunt.

4:20 · Post by **4:20** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 7:46 am

Scrap the League cup and put the FA Cup first round on boxing Day with all league teams in it along with the non league teams who have qualified through preliminary rounds.

Use the FA Cup to introduce so called safe standing

Final at Wembley only, go Superbowl with it from midday saturday and have massive charity concerts with global megastars in Wembley and Hyde Park simulcasts running up to kick off at 3pm

Massive increase in prize money through advertising

Clarets4me · Post by **Clarets4me** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 7:47 am

Vegas Claret wrote:3pm kick offs on a Saturday

That was one of the main points in the " Guardian " article, only 10 of the 32 Third Round ties this weekend will kick off at 3pm on Saturday ! Unfortunately, I think that particular ship has sailed, especially as TV has contributed much to the doubling of the Cup prize fund this season !

claretonthecoast1882 · Post by **claretonthecoast1882** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 8:12 am

Seems strange this one, all those desperate for a cup run but can't be arsed going on. Also those who every time a big game comes round complain they would go on a game but can't get 2 seats together, huge parts of the ground have loads of seats together and it is £10 still not turning up.

Then people would go if it was 3pm but seen as it is 12.30pm giving it a miss, then the opposition isn't glamorous so giving it a miss. Maybe it isn't just Dyche who looks like he doesn't care about the FA cup.

Any upset we have caused do we tell ourselves it was just due to the team in the higher division not caring ? Maybe a start would be fans accepting upsets happen to all clubs and that is why people loved the fa cup, now with the age of the internet fan when we lose a game to a lower league side we didn't take it serious.

Claretforever · Post by **Claretforever** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 8:35 am

Semi-finals away from Wembley to regain the prestige of a Wembley final. This is an absolute must.

Prize fund to be increase massively. At least doubled again. In fact, I’d make sure that winning the thing is worth more than 5 Premier League places, which is currently £10m.

Winners should be automatically entered into the Champions League, taking the 4th place if one of the top 4 doesn’t win it.

I like replays. I’ve loved them ever since the Scunthorpe games around 1989, which went to a second replay. I’d keep it to one though.

3rd round - All Premier League club’s to avoid each other, but must play away at the lower league side.

3rd round day - We need to get this back to being a big event. No games in the following week of the game so that replays are a few days later. All matches to be played Saturday or Sunday. No Friday or Monday ties. At least 50% of games have to kick off at 3pm on Saturday. ALL tickets for 3rd round day are £10 adults, £5 kids everywhere. No matches at Premier League grounds can be over £30 adults, £15 kids until the semi final.

Claretforever · Post by **Claretforever** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 8:36 am

As it is now, knowing Dyche’s lack of interest in the FA Cup, and likely Barnsley victory, I’m sat here the day before and still in two minds whether to bother. I used to love the cup as well.

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 8:43 am

It's already been mentioned on the thread - Champions League spot for the winners if they haven't already qualified. This in itself would be a much bigger incentive to most of the Premier League clubs than money. Imagine in 2014 Wigan playing in the Champions League and the Championship...! That would have been fantastic to see, they probably wouldn't have lasted long though.

It would also mean that the "Top 6" would have to fight it out for the top 3 in the league - or go for it in the cup - that can only be a good thing surely.

NL Claret · Post by **NL Claret** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 8:57 am

The fa cup draw to take place on the radio only, monday lunchtime following the previous round and take no more than 5 minutes.

claptrappers_union · Post by **claptrappers_union** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:18 am

Vastly increase prize money

Semis away from Wembley

Draws to be made with integrity and drawn by former players or mangers, not pop stars, celebrities or people who are flavour of the month

Round one should be treated as just as important as all the other rounds. I watched Super Sunday recently and ties where not even mentioned.

Winners should wear a commemorative sleeve patch or small crest on the kit the season after.

Don’t let ITV anywhere near it

piston broke · Post by **piston broke** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:24 am

I’ve mentioned the French system on here previously and think it’s a great idea.
Take the PL stars to the masses.

Lord Beamish · Post by **Lord Beamish** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:27 am

A slight change of Rules(just in the FA Cup).
If a shot hit’s the post or bar and comes back into play; Half a Goal.
If it Goes in off the post, a Goaland a Half is awarded.
In off two posts; Two Goals awarded.
The Holy Grail of in off both posts and crossbar(in any order); Three Goals Awarded.

You’re welcome.

Sleeping Cat · Post by **Sleeping Cat** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:46 am

Winner qualifies for champions league.

Re weight the prize money for rounds 5 and above. e.g. Half it for round 5, QF, SF to allow for doubling the prize money for the final. so instead of current structure posted earlier in the thread you have something like this (works out to the exact current prize funding warded in these rounds).

Fifth Round Proper winners (8) £250,000
Quarter-Final winners (4) £390,000
Semi-Final winners (2) £1,000,000
Semi-Final losers (2) £500,000
Final runners-up (1) £2,500,000
Final winners (1) £7,500,000

Provide greater moneytary & prestige incentives to win the cup.

Clubs have to split cup ticket sales 50/50. For that reason I wouldn't make it mandatory for the lower ranked club to always play at home first. A 3rd round tie at Old Trafford is worth well over a million quid to the visiting team, much needed respite for many lower league clubs.

fatboy47 · Post by **fatboy47** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:03 am

Everyone's a bit wide of the mark here. I may try to persuade the FA to accept my more radical proposals if there is sufficient support for them on here.

So..each team now to consist of 10 players from the club's books, and one taken randomly by ticket number for example from the home crowd and one from the away support in some form of draw. All those wearing the appropriate club kit will qualify.

Benefits will include...novelty value..vastly increased crowds as lifelong fans get the chance to turn out to play alongside their heroes.....more level playing field, as the likes of Chelsea pick out some tomato faced thirty stoner whereas the underdog gets some fit young chap like myself...perhaps the "amateurs" could be exempted from the offside rule and allowed to hang around the opposition box....or maybe allowed a more liberal interpretation of the foul play rules.

Will it fly?....you tell me.

If not then I think just keep it simple....half time dwarf tossing would be a real goer imo.

Claretforever · Post by **Claretforever** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:05 am

Sleeping Cat wrote:A 3rd round tie at Old Trafford is worth well over a million quid to the visiting team, much needed respite for many lower league clubs.

Or a club from League 1 and below can choose to switch after the draw is made? Although the earlier comments about increasing prize money might reduce the need to do this?

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:07 am

You can’t be giving a CL place for winning 6 games ahead of finishing 4th in the PL

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:11 am

Dyched wrote:You can’t be giving a CL place for winning 6 games ahead of finishing 4th in the PL

Since when was finishing 4th being a champion of anything...? or 2nd or 3rd for that matter...!

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:19 am

Rick_Muller wrote: Since when was finishing 4th being a champion of anything...? or 2nd or 3rd for that matter...!

I don’t agree with it either but that’s the current rule.

It would be absurd

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:20 am

It simply needs to increase prize money so clubs play their first team to win.

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:23 am

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Scrap semis at wembley
Champions league spot to the winner
Higher prize pot for winning the thing than finishing bottom of the premier league
If a player was 'unfit' for thw cup game make them sit out the next league game
All season ticket holders get a free entry to home cup games

God knows. Im in a minority of still loving the cup. But after the way we treat the europa league this season and after going to Burton theres no chance im wasting even just a tenner and more importantly over 90 minutes of my life bothering with Barnsley in the cup!

Pretty much agree with all of this. Maybe even bring back fines for fielding weakened sides?

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:24 am

the fans are allowed joysticks to control individual players, but on a completely random basis.

So in a crowd of 44,000, 2,000 each have control over the same player. They might be away fans, or home fans or just an interested neutral.

The sight of Paul Pogba windmilling as 2,000 seperate people try to control him would be a hit.

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:29 am

Give teams points for each round win that then transfer over to next years competition. Just to liven it up. Teams that qualify, win round 1,2 have enough points to start in round 3 next year whilst Ipswich (haven’t won a game in years) start in the qualifying.

Cheshireclaret · Post by **Cheshireclaret** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:33 am

The problem with awarding a Champions League spot to whoever wins the FA Cup is the coefficient for English clubs.

I believe we’ve been sailing close to the wind in recent years with our allocation of 4 spots as it is, but if Wigan and / or Portsmouth had qualified for the Champions League, it’s highly likely they wouldn’t have made it out of the group stage and hence our coefficient would be damaged, our allocation may have been reduced to 3 places and we’re back at square one.

As mercenary as this sounds, and of course the fact the FA Cup tends to be won by a ‘top six’ club anyway, means support for such a restructure is limited, if not non-existent, within the board rooms of the super powers.

claret2018 · Post by **claret2018** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:44 am

Lower league teams facing opposition from a higher league should start the game the amount of goals up as the differential between the leagues - so a Championship side would start 1- 0 up against a PL side, a League 2 side would start 3- 0 up against a PL side.

That should get some attacking football played!

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:49 am

We'd lose 4-0!

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:57 am

Dyched wrote:Give teams points for each round win that then transfer over to next years competition. Just to liven it up. Teams that qualify, win round 1,2 have enough points to start in round 3 next year whilst Ipswich (haven’t won a game in years) start in the qualifying.

I like that - almost like a performance based ranking system - Burnley would be knocked out in the preliminary qualifying rounds though...

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:02 am

Cheshireclaret wrote:The problem with awarding a Champions League spot to whoever wins the FA Cup is the coefficient for English clubs.

I believe we’ve been sailing close to the wind in recent years with our allocation of 4 spots as it is, but if Wigan and / or Portsmouth had qualified for the Champions League, it’s highly likely they wouldn’t have made it out of the group stage and hence our coefficient would be damaged, our allocation may have been reduced to 3 places and we’re back at square one.

As mercenary as this sounds, and of course the fact the FA Cup tends to be won by a ‘top six’ club anyway, means support for such a restructure is limited, if not non-existent, within the board rooms of the super powers.

I understand the point of what you're saying, but in the past few years clubs like Man Utd; Man City; Chelsea and Spurs have failed to get past the group stages... which kind of makes your argument null and void.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_f ... mpetitions" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sleeping Cat · Post by **Sleeping Cat** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:03 am

Dyched wrote:I don’t agree with it either but that’s the current rule.

It would be absurd

It's absurd in the current state, where prem teams give their fringe and reserves a run out. But if the incentive is there for CL qualification then perhaps all teams will take the competition more seriously and legitimise the achievement of CL qualification by winning the cup.

It's certainly not as absurd as 3rd &4th placed Champions League teams falling into the Europa league only have to play 5 matches (R32, R16, QF, SF & F) to win the Europa league and qualify for the Champions League.

23 of the last 26 FA Cups (Premier league era) were won by Arsenal (8), Chelsea (7), Man Utd (5), Liverpool (2), Man City (1).The others were 3 Everton, Wigan & Portsmouth. Everton have previously qualified for Champions league finishing 4th in the league & portsmouth finished 8th the season they won the cup and had a very good side then. It would hardly have been absurd at the time had any of these teams qualified for the CL for winning the FA Cup.

Wigan would've been the only absurd exception in 26 years, who only encountered 2 prem teams (Everton in the QF & Man City in the final).

Cheshireclaret · Post by **Cheshireclaret** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:06 am

Rick_Muller wrote:I understand the point of what you're saying, but in the past few years clubs like Man Utd; Man City; Chelsea and Spurs have failed to get past the group stages... which kind of makes your argument null and void.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_f ... mpetitions" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That’s why I said we’ve been sailing close to the wind as it is, but awarding a spot to the winners of the FA Cup increases those chances.

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:41 am

Sleeping Cat wrote:It's absurd in the current state, where prem teams give their fringe and reserves a run out. But if the incentive is there for CL qualification then perhaps all teams will take the competition more seriously and legitimise the achievement of CL qualification by winning the cup.

It's certainly not as absurd as 3rd &4th placed Champions League teams falling into the Europa league only have to play 5 matches (R32, R16, QF, SF & F) to win the Europa league and qualify for the Champions League.

23 of the last 26 FA Cups (Premier league era) were won by Arsenal (8), Chelsea (7), Man Utd (5), Liverpool (2), Man City (1).The others were 3 Everton, Wigan & Portsmouth. Everton have previously qualified for Champions league finishing 4th in the league & portsmouth finished 8th the season they won the cup and had a very good side then. It would hardly have been absurd at the time had any of these teams qualified for the CL for winning the FA Cup.

Wigan would've been the only absurd exception in 26 years, who only encountered 2 prem teams (Everton in the QF & Man City in the final).

The Europa league isn’t that absurb.

You don’t just win a few games to qualify for CL/Europa

Take us. We finished 7th after a great season. Then we get through 3 qualifying rounds. Win the group stage. Then 5 knockout games. Other teams finish top 4/3 in the league. Finish 3rd then win the knockouts to qualify. You have to have a bloody good league season either way.

I get you’re point in regards to previous winners. But in the end it has no barring on league form. It will open the door to a championship club that can lose every league game 47-0 and win 6 fa cup games to qualify for the CL ahead of a team finishing 4th in the PL. That is wrong.

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:47 am

Cheshireclaret wrote:That’s why I said we’ve been sailing close to the wind as it is, but awarding a spot to the winners of the FA Cup increases those chances.

Again, I understand your viewpoint. Would it be better to put a team who have won a knockout competition into essentially a knockout competition instead of a team who finish 4th by the virtue of being a big club?

scouseclaret · Post by **scouseclaret** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:54 am

Claretforever wrote:As it is now, knowing Dyche’s lack of interest in the FA Cup, and likely Barnsley victory, I’m sat here the day before and still in two minds whether to bother. I used to love the cup as well.

This. Plus for me factoring in £20 in fuel costs and a couple of hours on the road makes it a tough call.

It’s regards putting the glamour back in the competition, I used to think that giving the winners a Champions League place would do it at a stroke. However with so many lower league teams playing weakened teams, plus our own ambivalent attitude to Europe when we did qualify, now I’m not so sure.

Reckoner · Post by **Reckoner** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 11:58 am

Times change and the FA cup is no longer seen as a priority by fans or the clubs. No point thinking changing some of the structure will take it back to the popularity it had in the past - although if we were in a lower league it may feel more exciting.

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 12:28 pm

Just choosing one tie, the one tonight between Tranmere and Spurs. Reminds me of a similar tie in the 60's between Crewe and Spurs. Full house at Gresty Rd. for a thrilling 2-2 draw against a full strength Spurs team. Replay at WHL ended 13-2 to Spurs. Again in the 60's Spurs away at Birmingham in a later round in front of 50,000 plus. Spurs went 3 up then a Birmingham fight-back and full strength Spurs hanging on for a 3-3 draw at.the end. Replay and a comfortable Spurs win in front of another full house. That was the FA Cup.

Foulthrow · Post by **Foulthrow** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 12:41 pm

Cheshireclaret wrote:The problem with awarding a Champions League spot to whoever wins the FA Cup is the coefficient for English clubs.

I believe we’ve been sailing close to the wind in recent years with our allocation of 4 spots as it is, but if Wigan and / or Portsmouth had qualified for the Champions League, it’s highly likely they wouldn’t have made it out of the group stage and hence our coefficient would be damaged, our allocation may have been reduced to 3 places and we’re back at square one.

As mercenary as this sounds, and of course the fact the FA Cup tends to be won by a ‘top six’ club anyway, means support for such a restructure is limited, if not non-existent, within the board rooms of the super powers.

But teams like Wigan and Portsmouth only won it because the 'big' clubs didn't really give a sh*t. If a CL place was up for grabs they'd go all out to win, especially if the PL only gave CL places to the top 3.

My suggestion for improving the FA Cup - make the teams who lose play each other in an extra game. The only way of being eliminated from this never-ending series of games is to win.

Vintage Claret · Post by **Vintage Claret** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 12:52 pm

On the subject of lower league opposition choosing to play away if they're actually drawn at home versus a 'big club', I genuinely thought it was always the case that a team drawn at home in the FA cup can elect to forfeit home advantage and play at the oppositions ground (with the FA's/opposing teams agreement).

is that not the case anymore or have I just dreamt it?

Clarets4me · Post by **Clarets4me** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 1:06 pm

Vintage Claret wrote:On the subject of lower league opposition choosing to play away if they're actually drawn at home versus a 'big club', I genuinely thought it was always the case that a team drawn at home in the FA cup can elect to forfeit home advantage and play at the oppositions ground (with the FA's/opposing teams agreement). Is that not the case anymore or have I just dreamt it?

I can remember it happening, but not for many years ..... I seem to recall the phrase " On Police advice " rearing its head on such occasions or " lacking the necessary infrastructure or safety Certificate to host such a fixture "

Accrington Stanley played a FA Cup tie at Turf Moor, but that was a good few years ago now ...

Sleeping Cat · Post by **Sleeping Cat** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 1:13 pm

Dyched wrote:
I get you’re point in regards to previous winners. But in the end it has no barring on league form. It will open the door to a championship club that can lose every league game 47-0 and win 6 fa cup games to qualify for the CL ahead of a team finishing 4th in the PL. That is wrong.

Unless you believe that winning a trophy via a knockout tournament is a greater achievement than finishing 4th, which I do.

SalisburyClaret · Post by **SalisburyClaret** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 2:33 pm

1,3 and 5 are great ideas

It’s still the biggest cup competition in the world and perfect for any club wanting to increase their brand overseas

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:23 pm

Vintage Claret wrote:On the subject of lower league opposition choosing to play away if they're actually drawn at home versus a 'big club', I genuinely thought it was always the case that a team drawn at home in the FA cup can elect to forfeit home advantage and play at the oppositions ground (with the FA's/opposing teams agreement).

is that not the case anymore or have I just dreamt it?

Didn't Hyde Utd. do this a while back when they opted to play their home tie at Turf Moor?

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:25 pm

Don’t think a CL spot is a viable option. UEFA decide who gets invited, not the FA.

Edit: It certainly isn’t. UEFA’s criteria is for league position only unless you win the previous CL.

BFCmaj · Post by **BFCmaj** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:30 pm

No refs and rush goalies.

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:30 pm

3 is a good option. Wembley should be for finals only.

Increasing prize money in all rounds is a good way for the smaller and mid-size clubs to take the competition more seriously (especially including us).

Scrapping extra time also a good idea.

Sleeping Cat · Post by **Sleeping Cat** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:49 pm

SalisburyClaret wrote:1,3 and 5 are great ideas

It’s still the biggest cup competition in the world and perfect for any club wanting to increase their brand overseas

Depends how you are defining "biggest" in that sentence.

The Coup de france is literally the biggest with over 8,000 teams competing. It is open to all amateur and professional football clubs in France, including clubs based in the overseas departments and territories. (For comparison the FA cup is for the top 10 levels of English football, just over 700 altogether).

Incidentally professional clubs are forced to play as the away side if the team they are playing are two levels below them.

FCBurnley · Post by **FCBurnley** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 5:12 pm

Dont agree with CL spot for winner. ( Maybe Europa Lg)
Agree with 90 mins then pens
Yellow cards 10 minute sin bin rule.No carry over of YC or RC to league games ( encourage teams to play good players without fear of missing league games)
Red cards get 1 FA Cup game suspension.
Suspensions from league games cannot be used in cup games eg Brady would miss 3 league games but would be eligible v Barnsley
Max ticket price 10 pounds except final.