'Not so long ago Brighton needed FA Cup replays'

"Never forget where you've come here from," sang the great Take That.

And Brighton fans have not forgotten where they came from if the anger among Seagulls supporters over the scrapping of FA Cup replays is anything to go by.

In 1991, an FA Cup replay with the mighty Liverpool gave Brighton a financial lifeline when the club was struggling to stay alive.

A particularly volatile FA Cup replay against Crystal Palace in 1976 is considered by many to be the spark which ignited the Seagulls v Eagles rivalry.

And we have seen the good FA Cup replays can do for other clubs. Gate receipts and broadcast money from the Albion's second-round replay with FC United of Manchester in 2010 helped the non-league club build their new stadium.

Brighton fan opinion is pretty clear. What we do not know is what the club's position is. You would hope that those in power remembered its history and that it was not so long ago it needed FA Cup replays.

Somebody at the top table needs to speak and stick up for the rest, at least until the very welcome independent regulator comes in. Brighton know better than most there is much more to football in England than just the Premier League.

It is a sad day if the Albion are now a club where self-interest rules over what is good for the rest of the game.

Scott McCarthy can be found at We Are Brighton