EASTLEIGH can feel aggrieved they have been snubbed by the television companies following their FA Cup heroics.

Their second round tie at fellow non leaguers Stourbridge next month would have made compelling viewing.

But no.

Yet again, for the second round running, the BBC will be making the short journey to Salford City.

The club owned by five former Manchester United stars had their first round tie against Notts County beamed live to the nation.

That earnt them a £67,500 windfall, and now the Northern Premier League club are in line for a similar amount.

BT Sport could have chosen Stourbridge v Eastleigh as well, but have chosen not to.

Instead, Rochdale v Bury and Grimsby v Shrewsbury will be shown live.

The FA Cup should be all about the romance of the game.

Stourbridge and Eastleigh are both aiming to reach the third round for the first time ever.

In other words, history will be made at the War Memorial Ground when the Glassboys face the Spitfires.

That is romance for you.

Real FA Cup romance.

But no. The BBC will be giving more airtime to Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt – the five former Manchester United stars who are joint-owners of the club.

It is a nice tale, granted, and the likes of Gary Neville and Scholes actually went up in my estimation when I saw them jumping around like excited kids when the goals went in against Notts County.

But the BBC have played that card. Once was fine. They have no need to play it again. We know the Salford story now. There is nothing new to add.

Stourbridge v Eastleigh would have been different. Two different tales to tell to a national audience.

The money would have been nice, but football should be about more than money – certainly in the second round of the FA Cup.

The Beeb and BT Sport have both missed a trick in overlooking Eastleigh.

And they should both be ashamed of themselves.