Opinion: Outrage as Tamworth’s potential earnings from Tottenham replay are revealed

Ange Postecoglou must have felt the pressure at The Lamb Ground on January 12, as Tottenham Hotspur narrowly avoided an FA Cup upset, drawing 0-0 in regulation time against National League side Tamworth.

Despite Spurs failing to display the quality expected of a Premier League side, the match progressed to extra time after the FA abolished replays in April 2024.

In the additional period, Spurs managed to secure a 3-0 victory.

Nathan Muya Tshikuna’s own goal broke the deadlock in the 100th minute, paving the way for Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson to seal the win.

However, Tamworth’s valiant effort over 90 minutes ultimately yielded no tangible reward.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire highlighted the financial impact on Tamworth via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on January 12.

Responding to a query, he estimated that a replay could have generated approximately £850,000 for the non-league club.

“If the match had gone to a replay, at an average ticket price of £30, probably about £850,000,” he wrote.

Tamworth Left Empty-Handed After Tottenham Defeat

The magic of the FA Cup appears to have dimmed.

While thrilling stories emerged during this year’s competition—such as Accrington Stanley, affiliated with Liverpool, traveling to Anfield—none stood out more than Spurs visiting Tamworth, the lowest-ranked team left in the third round.

Tottenham fans expressed frustration with their team after 90 goalless minutes against a side four tiers below them in the football hierarchy.

Nonetheless, Tamworth’s performance was a testament to the efforts of manager Andy Peaks and his players.

The financial ramifications of the FA’s decision to eliminate replays will only deepen the disappointment for Tamworth.

The estimated £850,000 from a replay, combined with potential broadcast earnings—reported by talkSPORT (January 5, 2024) to be an additional £50,000—would have been transformative for a club of their size.

In total, Tamworth missed out on nearly £1 million due to a rule change seen by many as prioritizing the interests of Premier League clubs.

From Tottenham’s perspective, the victory earned them £115,000 in prize money—a modest sum for a club of their stature.

Reaching the FA Cup final could net Spurs £1 million, with an additional £1 million for lifting the trophy.

For top-flight teams, these figures pale compared to the rewards of domestic and European competitions.

The decision to eliminate replays disregards the lower tiers of English football, where such earnings could have lasting impacts.

For Premier League giants, the FA Cup may be a secondary concern, but for clubs like Tamworth, it represents an opportunity for financial stability.

This controversial decision may well be remembered as the moment the magic of England’s oldest cup competition began to fade.