TV coverage ruining the FA Cup for football fans

In his weekly Your Local Paper column, Mark Hearle looks at how television coverage has ruined the FA Cup for football fans of lower-league clubs.One of the highlights of the football season for me is watching the draw for the third round proper of the FA Cup, which was made last Monday evening from Old Trafford, the home, of course, of Manchester United.Many years ago it was so very different. I remember trying to make sure I was close to a portable radio to listen to the cup draw, which was always done on a Monday lunchtime at 12:30.What was also very different was that all of the matches drawn would be played on the first available Saturday of the new calendar year at 3pm, meaning it always provided me at least, with something to look forward to once the festive season was complete.It hasn’t, of course, been like that now for many a day, something that started I seem to remember, when the BBC and ITV, both were able to show one match live from each round in the days when they used to bid against each other for the rights to show the games, long before the birth of Sky TV.The format of the famous old competition hasn’t changed since its invention with every team having a chance to play each other, whatever their standing is in the football world. However what has changed, and most certainly not for the better, is the saturation TV coverage that now exists, meaning that this year’s competition will be spread over five, yes five days, approaching, during and after, the second week of January next year. One of the fixtures moved is the fixture between Everton and Peterborough United with the tie now taking place on Thursday, January 9, which for me, is a shocking decision to have taken.Travel to and from Merseyside from this part of the country is always difficult at the best of times.As someone who journeys now and then to watch the red team who play there, I know many factors have to align to either ensure you get there on time to watch a game or indeed get yourself home afterwards, especially when using public transport. By car, you’re usually looking at an eight-hour round trip, longer if you opt for a coach.On this occasion, in Peterborough’s case, no trains are meaning it’s either a car or bus journey for their supporters who wish to support their team at Goodison Park in what will be the final ever third-round tie played there with the Toffee’s moving to their new stadium in the summer. Following the confirmation of the fixture date ‘Posh’ issued a very well thought out public club statement to the FA where it made clear the disappointment felt by the club at the decision taken and the lack of consideration shown towards its supporters, many of whom will no longer now be able to travel to the game.For me, it’s just another example of how the competition has seemingly become devalued down the years and the continued lack of consideration for football club supporters, who are the life and soul of their clubs. With Liverpool also being drawn at home it’s an unwritten rule that both teams cannot play at home on the same day, simply logistically it isn’t possible.Surely the best way around this situation would have been to move one game to a Friday evening with the other remaining a Saturday game.The lack of common sense at times is breathtaking, as is the contempt of football supporters in general whose needs and concerns are now regularly overlooked and often unheard.I know from experience that following a club a distance away is an expensive and time-consuming hobby. Some say support your local club and the problem is solved which is true but not everyone wishes to do that – and nor should they have to.Football is the game of the people but at times the game’s governing body has a funny way of showing it.The Linnets put themselves into a good position in National League North with a single-goal victory over Scarborough Athletic last Saturday.The match went ahead, despite the very best attempts of Storm Darragh and the hard work that went into doing that was rewarded with a terrific strike from defender Greg Taylor towards the end of the game.Taylor is a class act with many seasons of football league experience behind him and has, this season, become a key component in Adam Lakeland’s side. Every team needs leaders and strong characters and with Taylor having both of those qualities in abundance it can only be a good thing for the team and supporters alike.Whilst on the subject of supporters I think a special thanks should be made to every one of the 811 spectators who attended the game on one of the most foul weather-wise afternoons we’ve endured for many seasons.To see a turnout such as that should give heart to all involved in running the club these days.Lynn completes their run of home fixtures this coming Saturday when the always difficult-to-beat Alfreton Town arrive in West Norfolk. For as long as I can remember Billy Heath loves to have a big, physical side to work with, and this season is no different.Lakeland will know that his team will have to put in yet another full shift to take maximum points but in truth, his squad are now finding different ways to win matches when the chips are down, a sign of extra confidence Lynn is now showing.After that challenge, Town travel to Brackley next Tuesday evening for a rearranged league fixture that was originally postponed due to the home team’s continued involvement in the FA Cup which has since ended.