FC UNITED of Manchester hit out at the Football Association yesterday after being told they have no choice but to play their FA Cup first round tie on a Monday night.

FC United take on Chesterfield on November 9 live on TV. But the rebel supporter-owned club opposed the move, highlighting that it goes against the club’s “historical opposition to changing kick-off times from their traditional slots as this can be inconvenient to fans.”

With one of the seven core founding principles of the club stating that “the Board will strive wherever possible to avoid outright commercialism,” FC United felt they had no alternative but to refuse to agree with the move to play on a Monday night.

However, the FA responded yesterday morning and insisted that the match go ahead on November 9 due to rule 2 and 8.13 in the FA Cup competition rules, leaving FC United “disappointed by the FA’s stance and [we] have made them aware of this.”

A statement read: “While recognising that TV is important to football, the club also has a stated pledge to seek to change football for the benefit of supporters, without whom the game would not exist. 

“Having considered the club’s stated views on this issue as expressed democratically by members, the Board of FC United of Manchester has refused to agree with the move of our FA Cup 1st round game against Chesterfield to Monday November 9 2015.

“The FA has responded this morning to inform us that they insist on the game being moved according to rule 2 and 8.13 in the FA Cup competition rules and therefore we have no option but to hold the match on the Monday evening at 7.45pm.

We are deeply disappointed by the FA’s stance and have made them aware of this.

“FC United recognises that there is an inevitable price to be paid for TV but we believe that the stick has been bent too far and it is right that we take a stand on this issue.

“FC United has a proud history of campaigning for change on issues affecting the game and its supporters.

“The history of that protest has always been about respect for the integrity of the game and not disrupting the match or players.

“In that spirit, on this issue we believe that we need to make a stand. Protesting at the moving of this match to a Monday is a continuation of the campaign against kick-off times and ticket prices supported by fans of clubs in this country and abroad.”

Also under FA rules, a minimum adult ticket has to be priced at £10, which is £1 more than FC United’s usual price. The club have responded by saying that they will be “issuing a £1 voucher to all adult ticket holders that they can spend on food and drink or merchandise at the ground. This offer will be extended to away supporters.”