Cup exit sparks financial rethink

A dejected Warren Feeney leaves the pitch at the end of the cup defeat.

ATHLETIC chief executive Alan Hardy branded the club’s FA Cup first round exit at Accrington Stanley “a disaster” and admitted the result brought serious financial implications.

Paul Dickov’s side lost 3-2 at Crown Ground, despite a late fightback.

Athletic have now suffered eight consecutive first round defeats in all knockout competitions.

In a prepared statement, Hardy said: “I will leave any comments about the team or individual performances for the manager.

“I am more concerned about the consequences of going out of all the cup competitions at such an early stage, and the financial implications that will burden the club with.

“On Saturday we had 60-per-cent of the attendance, with more than 1,300 Latics fans inside the stadium.

“The fans have had a very frustrating week, with the abandoned game at Rochdale and the embarrassing defeat at Accrington Stanley, which can only be described as a disaster.

“We certainly let the fans down on Saturday. We were hoping for a cup run, at least up to the third round stage, which could have brought in vital revenue in what is proving to be a financially challenging season.”

Hardy conceded belts will have to be tightened even more at Boundary Park as a direct result of the cup loss.

Not only did Athletic miss out on the £18,000 prize money awarded to Saturday’s winners, but also further revenue from potential glamour ties and television coverage.

Upon his arrival in the summer, Dickov pinpointed a cup run as a major priority for the season.

The Scot highlighted the importance of both the money it would bring in and the interest it would generate among fans.

You have to go back to the 2007/08 season for the last time Athletic made it over the first hurdle.

With dwindling attendances still giving the club a headache despite a promising start to the npower League One campaign, progress to the later rounds and a meeting with one of the big boys would have seen supporters flock through the turnstiles.

John Sheridan’s side shocked Everton in the third round in the 2007/08 FA Cup campaign, only to suffer a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Huddersfield Town in the next tie.

Hardy added: “The FA Cup exit has a major bearing on what we do for the remainder of the season.

“While I can’t go into the specifics of our financial planning, everything will have to be reassessed.

“Paul Dickov has spoken openly about his disappointment. He said it is unacceptable and I can only endorse those comments.”

With Rochdale also bowing out of the FA Cup courtesy of a shock 3-2 home defeat to FC United, Athletic could head back to Spotland on Saturday, November 27 for the re-arranged clash.

The original match was abandoned after eight minutes due to a waterlogged pitch.

Hardy said: “Rochdale need to hold talks with Greater Manchester Police before we can confirm the date of the re-arranged match.

“November 27 looks like a possibility because it is a free weekend for both clubs.

“Hopefully there will be an announcement soon.”


FA Cup



second-round draw: Sheffield Wednesday v Northampton, Burton Albion v Chesterfield, Cambridge Utd or Huddersfield v Macclesfield or Southend, AFC Wimbledon or Ebbsfleet v Stevenage or MK Dons, Hartlepool or Vauxhall Motors v Yeovil, Bury v Stockport or Peterborough, Notts County v Bournemouth, Droylsden v Dagenham & Redbridge or Leyton Orient, Crawley v Swindon, Brighton or Woking v FC United of Manchester, Southampton v Cheltenham, Torquay v Fleetwood or Walsall, Barnet or Charlton v Corby Town or Luton, Colchester v Swindon Supermarine, Hereford v Lincoln City, Dartford or Port Vale v Accrington Stanley, Wycombe v Chelmsford, Carlisle v Tamworth, Dover v Brentford or Aldershot, Darlington v Rotherham or York.

Ties to be played on November 27 & 28.