Peter Morrison trophy retains last season’s format

The National Football Committee have announced that there will be no changes to the format of next season’s Peter Morrison Trophy following their AGM on Monday night..

Meaning all teams who wish to compete in the prestigious competition will go into the hat for the first round of the draw, keeping with last season’s structure will mean that any team from the North or South could face each other from Round One. To assist teams in these instances, the NFC agreed to increase the amount of subsidy money made available to travelling teams, up to the amount of £400, subject to the discretion of the Committee.

Laurence Thorne, Chairman of the NFC said: “Although the change to last season’s entry criteria was not favoured by some, and blown totally out of proportion by some areas of the communal media, it was felt that the majority of teams, especially from the North, were happy to play in that format and it would roll over to next season too”.

It was also decided that an extra statement be added to the entry form so that teams are aware from the start of the competition that they may be required to travel, North or South, at any stage of the competition. If a team were to refuse to travel once they had completed the Entry Form, a fine would be raised, with their future entry into the Peter Morrison Trophy discussed by the competition’s Management Committee.

This year’s Peter Morrison Final, won by Hendon United A, was played at Oldham Athletic FC. For the 2015/2016 season the ‘Jewish FA Cup’ will see the showpiece game held in the South. The competition will continue to be eagerly contested by all teams. However, if two Northern teams reach the Final, the Committee will take this into account and stage the Final at Oldham Athletic FC again.

Thorne added: “The Committee have worked tirelessly to ensure that there is plenty of clarity this year and that we are doing everything we can to assist teams in their travel arrangements. The PMT will undoubtedly be another fantastic, prestigious occasion as the largest Jewish Cup competition in the calendar. We are looking forward to great games, fair play and, above all, a bumper team entry.”