Swindon Town are one of 27 clubs to have signed an open letter to the Culture Secretary calling for FA Cup replays to be reinstated.

Last month it was announced that an agreement had been reached between the FA and Premier League to get rid of replays from the first round onwards starting from next season, causing a great deal of outrage across football.

The 27 clubs, including 11 from the EFL, have grouped together to back a proposal by Fair Game to request an amendment to the Football Governance Bill that would require a majority of clubs to approve major changes like getting rid of replays.

The letter to Lucy Frazer, the Cabinet minister responsible for sport, said: “We want to save the FA Cup. The FA Cup is the oldest football competition in the world and the decision to remove FA Cup replays from the first round proper further undermines its prestige and does nothing to help protect our cherished football pyramid.

“The Premier League’s influence in this decision is yet another example of football’s growing divide that has seen the gaps between and within divisions grow at all levels.

“Participating clubs in the FA Cup were not consulted. Our clubs as well as the fans have been let down.

“We are determined to see this decision reversed and fully support amending the Football Governance Bill to make sure such a move can never happen again without the backing of a majority of eligible clubs.”

During the announcement of replays being removed, it was also revealed that the Premier League would be investing an additional £33 million per season into the grassroots game.

The letter said: “This decision has become totemic for how the game is being run.

“Decisions are being made behind closed doors. There is a lack of transparency, a lack of consistency, and a lack of fairness.

“We, the undersigned, call for an immediate reinstatement of FA Cup replays and are encouraging all supporters to lobby their MPs to back the Fair Game amendment.”

Swindon previously condemned the removal of FA Cup replays in a statement in April.

The statement said: "The FA Cup is a competition which delivers memorable moments for many teams at all levels across England, so removing replays removes the opportunity for clubs to create history, memorable moments and also potentially essential revenue at all levels of the football pyramid."