YORK City co-chairman Matt Uggla has responded to the Football Association’s decision to abolish replays in next season’s Emirates FA Cup, declaring that the competition had ‘lost its magic’.

News broke yesterday morning that the FA had made the decision to scrap replays in the FA Cup from the first round proper onwards, meaning that lower-division clubs would most likely miss out on the financial benefits when taking on a club currently higher in the footballing pyramid.

The decision has been reprimanded by multiple clubs throughout the divisions, with Tranmere Rovers and Dorking Wanderers leading the charge, with the FA yet to address the backlash which it has faced.

Tranmere have also revealed that only 20 of the 732 teams who enter the competition were consulted, with only Premier League sides being in discussion with the competition on the new ruling.

City co-chair Uggla responded on social media, saying: “So poor. Benefits 20 clubs and screws over the rest. The cup definitely just lost some of its magic.

“I know it’s radical but if you could somehow get all non-league clubs to withdraw the FA cup becomes redundant. It’s just the League Cup played twice.

“They need the non league clubs to give it that magic it has always bragged about. Maidstone showed us that this year.”

York boss Adam Hinshelwood also gave his opinion on the news, joking about his history in the competition.

“I’ve got knocked out of the competition on penalties, so great move, I’m delighted with it!" Hinshelwood told the Press.

“No, it’s a tough one I think, there’s so many games that the boys have to play and the Premier League talk about it all the time.

“It’s even worse when you’re at National League level because there are so many competitions about.

“We want to be a club that are competitive in all competitions next season, we want the last few weeks to be the start of what we can generate and what we can build here.”

York have now released a website on their club website: "York City Football Club is appalled to learn of the decision taken by the FA and the Premier League to make notable changes to the format of the FA Cup, unbeknown to National League and EFL clubs.

"Our FA Cup history is a proud one, semi-finalists in 1955, knocking out Arsenal in 1985, and consecutive replays against Liverpool in 1985/86.

"This great competition has produced some of the biggest and best matchdays in our history, we are bitterly disappointed that this potential has been blunted for current and future generations of supporters.

"York City calls on the FA to hold an immediate review of the decision made, this time consulting clubs at the heart of footballing communities up and down the country who will be hit hardest by this blow to our game’s heritage.

"Football is for all."

The York City Supporters' Trust also backed up the football club. 

"York City Supporters’ Trust are appalled by the unilateral decision taken by the Football Association (The FA) and The Premier League regarding the future of the FA Cup. It is disgraceful for fundamental changes to be made to our country’s flagship competition without, it seems, any consultation outside of The Premier League.

"To us the FA Cup is Magic because of replays against Newcastle and Liverpool, fixture congestion never bothered us.

"The removal of replays from the first round erodes part of what makes the FA Cup special.

"Making the decision seemingly without any voice outside of the Premier League threatens the integrity of our game, confirming that an Independent Football Regulator with genuine powers cannot come quickly enough.

"The status quo of backroom deals that prioritise the ‘big six’ and their billionaire owners must stop.

"To The FA and The Premier League, we say this, Football is not yours. Pause your plans now, consult the pyramid and everyone this decision affects.

"#SaveTheFACup."