Cash-strapped Heed hoping for Cup money
GATESHEAD chairman and joint owner Richard Bennett has hailed the news that FA Cup prize money has been doubled.
The Heed reached the second round of the FA Cup last season, two wins bringing in £30,500 in prize-money.
A similar run in 2018/19 would bag a whopping £61,000 - a huge amount for a club that has cut costs to the bone this season.
As a Vanarama National League club, Gateshead enter the Cup in the fourth and final qualifying round in October.
Victory over a fellow non-league side will now carry a substantial £25,000 purse, the amount then rising to £36,000 for first round proper winners.
Bennett said: “It is no secret that we have had to halve the budget this season and cut our cloth accordingly so a Cup run will be massive.
“If we can get through two or three rounds then the revenue that would bring in would be very significant in our current situation.
“Survival in the league is the priority - hopefully we will do more than that - but it’s now vital we do well in the cups.”
Gateshead also reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy last season.
“I am led to believe that the prize-money for Trophy ties will also be doubled, so there is a real incentive to go on another run this year.”
The Heed so far have just nine players signed on for 2018/19, their first warm-up game at home to Newcastle Benfield on Sunday a noon kick-off.
Steve Watson’s men will also now take on Scottish top-flight outfit Livingston at Kingston Park on Tuesday, July 24 due to the International Stadium being unavailable.