The Stalybridge Celtic chairman believes they must do whatever it takes to make sure non-league clubs take part in next season’s FA Cup and have the opportunity to win substantial prize money, even if that means suspending lesser competitions such as league cups.
Clubs can, of course, fall at the first hurdle and pick up very little, but Gorski believes it’s imperative non-league outfits at least have the chance to win some much-needed money.
“We’ve been told that if clubs in our league aren’t in the FA Cup by September 1 then we won’t be eligible to take part this year,” said the Bower Fold chairman.
“If that happens I would have thought it would be a huge blow for every non-league club because of the dream of getting a big tie in the first round. If we missed out it would make a colossal difference to clubs at our level.
“So I’ve asked our club secretary, Andrew Betts, to push league chairman Mark Harris and the Northern Premier League management committee to lobby the FA to understand that all clubs at our level want to go for a September 1 start because we want to be in the FA Cup.
“Personally, I would rather drop some of the smaller competitions to make it possible, even if it meant we would have to play twice a week into the winter. Frankly I think most non-league clubs would be delighted to do that.”
Like all non-league clubs, the Bridge have been hit hard by lockdown and the suspension of games since mid-March, plus the doubt over next season’s start date and the ensuing uncertainty in arranging pre-season friendlies.
Gorski added: “It’s very much the case that we’re missing the money from attendances and the bar. Fortunately we’ve been able to arrange a new shirt sponsorship deal with Dream Bi-folding Doors which is genuinely good news. I’d like to thank co-owners Stuart Lee and John Mahoney for their help which we really appreciate.”