Former Republic of Ireland striker Tony Cascarino told how a FA Cup clash earned one club £1million.
He has “gone down in Exeter City folklore” after drawing them to play Manchester United in 2005. He said: “Exeter were in the Conference, mired in debt and had recently been taken over by the fans.
"When I pulled out ball No 64 from the velvet bag it gave them a trip to a sold-out Old Trafford which was worth an estimated £600,000 in gate receipts. Exeter battled to a 0-0 draw and the televised replay at St James’ Park meant they pocketed £1m overall from the tie.”
He said it was the start of the end of the club’s financial predicament and they climbed back into the Football League. Figures show replays shown on BBC and ITV earn clubs in £25,000 in the first round, rising to £55,000 in the fifth.
Sign our petition HERE to ask the FA to reinstate FA Cup replays.
After plans emerged for the FA Cup to do away with replays from the first round onwards, there has been backlash from across the football pyramid. The Mirror has launched a petition to keep the games, which have helped raise funds for lower-league and non-league clubs over the years.
Some are convinced the decision to cut the ties from the schedule came thanks to pressure from billionaire owners of Premier League clubs. Top-flight sides, especially those involved in European competitions, have made clear concerns about fixture pile-ups.
Replays had already been removed from the fifth round onwards. However, they had remained in round three, which is when Exeter and Manchester United faced off in 2005.
Exeter had begun their 2004-05 FA Cup campaign in the fourth qualifying round, beating seventh-tier Braintree Town. They then secured victories over Grimsby Town and Doncaster Rovers before drawing at Old Trafford, though their journey ended with a 2-0 loss in the replay... and a hefty payday.
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The Devon side survived, and would go on to return to the Football League through the play-offs in 2008. They haven't dropped back outside the top four divisions since, and are on course for a mid-table finish in League One this term.
Cascarino, who played a part in their journey, isn't the only ex-footballer backing The Mirror's campaign to save FA Cup replays. Peter Reid, a cup winner with Everton in 1984, has also lent his voice to calls for the FA to go back on their decision.
“They [the FA] are selling out the little clubs in the footballing pyramid for the elite," Reid said. "Many have survived thanks to the FA Cup. When Warrington Town beat Exeter [with Reid's brother Shaun as manager] it was vital for them and the money helped the entire community.”
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