This season’s Peter Morrison Trophy will remain a national competition from round one, organisers have announced.
The format was criticised by teams from London after an overhaul at the beginning of last season, with former winners Faithfold withdrawing after being paired a team from the Manchester Jewish Soccer League in the early rounds.
A competition spokesman said: “The National Football Committee held a frank and detailed debate and it was agreed to keep the format of the prestigious competition the same.
"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 stated, "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 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 Sports Club 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. However, if two Northern teams reach the final, the Committee will take this into account and stage the Final at Oldham Athletic FC again.
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