Paul Stewart, who scored in the final as Tottenham Hotspur won the FA Cup in 1991, has added his voice to The Mirror’s campaign to save replays in the competition. Stewart, a former England star who scored in the memorable final against Nottingham Forest, believes that the decision to axe replays will devastate English Football League clubs. He argues that replays are crucial for smaller clubs to generate revenue, bring fans together, and help struggling communities grow. Stewart’s support for the campaign aims to shed light on the importance of bringing back replays for the sake of fans and smaller clubs across the country.
Stewart’s advocacy for re-instating FA Cup replays is part of a larger movement supported by other football icons such as Peter Reid and Malcolm Macdonald. Families of legendary players like Sir Bobby and Jack Charlton, as well as the son of 1966 hero Nobby Stiles, are also backing the campaign. The Football Supporters Association, which represents around 600,000 members, is urging FA officials to reconsider their decision to scrap replays. The Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, Lucy Frazer, is also contemplating a letter from Fair Game, a group of clubs collaborating with The Mirror on the initiative. The FA maintains that no club will suffer financially as a result of the abolition of replays.
Despite looming changes in cup traditions, some clubs are experiencing unprecedented growth, like Wrexham AFC, which is currently on the rise due to the involvement of stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. With two consecutive promotions and global fan engagement from the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary, the Red Dragons are becoming a force to be reckoned with. ‘Wrexham is the Game,’ a weekly newsletter packed with exclusive analysis and insights, offers subscribers a deeper understanding of the club’s journey. For a limited time, fans can secure a discounted subscription to stay updated on all things Wrexham.
In parallel to the campaign on FA Cup replays, fans can now engage with Mirror Football through a new WhatsApp community. Subscribers can receive daily updates, exclusive content, special offers, promotions, and advertisements from Mirror Football and its partners. If fans prefer to opt-out of the community at any time, they can do so easily. By joining the WhatsApp group, football enthusiasts can access a curated selection of content to enhance their experience as part of the Mirror Football community. The platform offers a diverse range of content, from breaking news to in-depth analysis, catering to fans’ passion for the beautiful game.
