TWO Colchester United supporter groups have joined forces to condemn the controversial decision to scrap FA Cup replays from next season.

Both the Colchester United Supporters Association (CUSA) and Blue White Army (BWA) supporter groups have criticised the decision to abolish FA Cup replays from the first-round stage, which was announced last Thursday.

The matches have long been a part of FA Cup tradition and have in some cases been highly lucrative for lower-league clubs but they are now set to miss out on both finances and memories from the world's oldest national football competition.

 

In a statement posted on social media, the CUSA and BWA said: "We are extremely disappointed in the announcement that there will be significant changes to the FA Cup from next season.

"The FA Cup as well as our football traditions are what make our game what it is and they should be protected from further erosion at all costs.

"These changes benefit an elite few clubs and are a clear example of why an independent football regulator is so urgently required.

"We would support any action taken by our fellow clubs and/or supporters in order to stop these changes.

READ MORE: Plans for new U's training ground at Forrester Park 'on hold'

"We are also encouraging our own club, Colchester United, to speak out against these changes alongside the clear majority of other EFL and non-league clubs.

"BWA & CUSA."

When asked about the decision at the U's season-ticket holders fans' forum last Thursday, U's chairman Robbie Cowling said: "It can be disappointing, because clubs of our size are always looking forward that we might get a game at a big club and if we get a big draw here, if we can hold them to a draw and then go away somewhere, I think we'd like that.

"I can understand why they're doing it - there's a congestion of fixtures and the Premier League don't want there to be such a congestion of fixtures.

"I think it's difficult for all of us now, the pace of the game and the way it's played, there are too many games at times for the players, so I guess that's what they're trying to do.

Gazette: FA Cup

"I don't have a strong opinion on it but it's maybe a little bit disappointing.

"I don't like penalties as a way of settling games, I never have done."

The decision to scrap FA Cup replays from next season has been widely criticised by EFL and National League clubs.

The matches have long been a part of FA Cup tradition - with the first replayed final taking place in 1875 - and have in some cases been highly lucrative for lower-league clubs.

 

U's head coach Danny Cowley posted: 'Football is the best game in the world…The FA Cup is football’s greatest cup competition…Please stop messing around with them…Just leave them alone… ❤️⚽️'