KEVIN Bond and Josh Gowling have both called for a return to regionalising the early stages of the FA Cup after Cherries were handed a club record first round trip.

Cherries will embark on the longest journey in their history for a first or second round tie when they meet either Farsley Celtic or Barrow a week on Saturday.

Bond will be in Cumbria for tonight's fourth qualifying round replay when Blue Square National outfit Celtic meet the Bluebirds of Blue Square North for the right to host Cherries.

And irrespective of which non-league outfit prevails, Cherries and their followers will face an arduous trek of either 315 miles to Barrow's Holker Street or 288 to Farsley's Throstle Nest headquarters in West Yorkshire.

To compound Cherries' woes, the clash comes just a week before their long-haul excursion to League One rivals Hartlepool and four days after the visit of Leeds United to Dean Court.

"It's ridiculous," said Cherries defender Gowling. "These trips take their toll on players and fans alike and it would definitely be better if the first couple of rounds were regionalised."

The first two rounds went national in 1998 after previously being run on a north-south basis with the line drawn from The Wash across the Midlands to a point between Worcester and Hereford.

Cherries boss Bond said: "The bigger clubs don't come in until the third round so it would be a good idea to have the first and second rounds regionalised.

"You could still have the giant-killing scenarios with non-league clubs playing league clubs so it's got to be worth looking at.

"I think regionalisation would also create more interest because there would be a lot more local games and that would attract bigger crowds.

"With respect to Barrow and Farsley Celtic, I think Bournemouth playing the likes of Weymouth, Eastleigh or Salisbury would be more beneficial to all concerned."

A spokesperson for the FA told the Daily Echo: "With transport links improving a great deal in recent decades, it was decided that the first and second rounds should be opened up on a national level rather than divided regionally.

"Furthermore, at this stage of the competition, regionalisation increases the potential for repetitive fixtures. Earlier rounds (qualifying) are still regionalised.

"The FA Cup provides a great boost to many small clubs every season, often providing financial security for years to come."

  • THE aptly-named Billy Barrow was among the goalscorers when Cherries beat Barrow 5-2 in an FA Cup second round tie in 1935.