In an age where the amateur game is struggling, numbers-wise, the burden of extra cost and commitment is something that appeals to very few clubs right now.
Further up the ladder, the JPT remains sectional in the early stages before opening up in the latter rounds, with the prize for the two finalists a big day out at Wembley.
The incentives for teams in the Peter Morrison Trophy are also attractive – with a final at Wingate & Finchley or Boundary Park up for grabs for the best Sunday morning teams.
Clearly, the decision to make the Morrison open from round one has its supporters and critics. In theory, it’s an exciting concept, but I believe the decision has backfired when you get a team such as Faithfold A pulling out.
The Superhoops have a rich history when it comes to Jewish football. They remain one of the giants and strongest supporters of the game. They enjoyed great success in the late 1990’s and noughties and, after what can best be described as a period of transition, they worked tirelessly to return to the top, winning both the Maccabi League title as well as a becoming the first Jewish team to lift the London FA Sunday Intermediate Cup two seasons ago.
Chairman Ben Lewis told me the decision to pull out of the match against Heaton Park “really hurt” him, as well as several other stalwarts.
Hours on the phone, pleading with people to play, to commit themselves to a few hours to ensure the proud name of the club isn’t, well, dragged through the mud, ended in failure because of a few lazy players who ruined it for the committed ones, plus the 14 or so from the home side.
It’s amazing how the minute you ask some players to go that extra mile, they disappear. Many of us have been there and the feeling of banging your head against the proverbial brick wall can be quite demoralising.
Faithfold are not the first team from London not to make the trip up north. Real Sosobad also defaulted for similar reasons. But in the bread and butter of their league, putting out a squad is never an issue.
Only last week AFC Flixton made the journey south to play HMH U18’s in an afternoon kick-off. Their squad even arrived early so they could watch the Manchester derby. To some extent, it’s comes down to a case of who dares wins.
Although unlikely, with the new format, there’s also the possibility that a team could be drawn away, out of their comfort zone, for every round. I dread to think what that bill would come to. Three northern teams are scheduled to travel down to London for the third round. Fingers crossed ...
There are winners and losers in every competition, but in this case, Faithfold’s absence, without even playing a game, is reason alone for reverting to the original format. It seems like a case of it if ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
And just when you think things couldn’t get any worse for Faithfold, it seems they were the last to discover last season’s top-scorer Mike Pearson had joined rivals Harmen.
Record goal-scorer Daryl Phillips quipped: "It can’t be the same Mike that used to play for us. He stopped playing following the arrival of his baby and wanted to spend more time at home. The Mike I know would at least have had the decency to let us know."
