Manchester City have declined a request from Exeter City for a larger share of the gate receipts from their upcoming FA Cup third-round tie, leaving the financially-strapped League One side to rely on the competition's standard split.
A Request for Solidarity from a Fan-Owned Club
Exeter City, a club majority-owned by its supporters' trust, this week publicly revealed it had written to the Premier League champions. The club asked if Manchester City would consider voluntarily transferring a portion of their 45% share of the matchday revenue as a "statement of solidarity" with sustainable, fan-owned football.
The request highlighted the distinct financial realities faced by clubs like Exeter, which has been under fan ownership since 2003. This season, the club has been forced to make two rounds of redundancies and required £600,000 in loans from its own supporters' trust to stabilise its finances. Further misfortune struck in November when a fire caused an estimated £100,000 of damage to their St James Park home ground.
Manchester City Stick to Standard Policy
Manchester City acknowledged the plea but have confirmed they will not be making an exception to their standard policy for the fixture. According to FA Cup rules, the net gate receipts are divided with 45% going to each club and 10% to the Football Association.
Despite the rejection, the trip to the Etihad Stadium remains a significant financial event for Exeter. The League One club is bringing 8,000 fans to the sold-out match against the seven-time FA Cup winners. It is estimated that their share of ticket sales will still generate between £250,000 and £400,000 for their coffers.
Missed Opportunities Compound Financial Challenge
The financial blow of City's decision is softened somewhat by the gate income, but Exeter have missed out on other potential revenue streams. The third-round clash has not been selected for television broadcast, denying both clubs a lucrative TV fee.
Furthermore, the FA Cup's format change, which abolished replays from the first round proper onwards, has closed off another possible avenue for extra income. A replay at St James Park would have offered Exeter another valuable payday.
The match will therefore proceed under the standard financial arrangements, with Exeter's remarkable 8,000-strong travelling support providing a poignant backdrop to a tale of football's economic divide.
