The Football League Paper says...

Cup rewards could be so important

WE OFTEN talk about the magic of the FA Cup, but it’s also hard to ignore the financial rewards on offer. There will certainly be plenty at stake for Newport County, Tranmere and Blackpool when they take on Non-League opposition in their FA Cup second round replays over the next ten days.

Newport host fellow Welsh side Wrexham on Tuesday night after the sides played out a goalless draw in their first meeting. The winners of that game will earn £54,000 in prize money.

But that’s only the start of it. Whoever wins through will then have a third round tie at home against Leicester City to look forward to on Sunday, January 6. The match will be broadcast live on BBC One, giving the hosts a brilliant chance to showcase their club in front of a national audience.

The live broadcast fee is a whopping £150,000, while Newport or Wrexham would bag another £135,000 in prize money if they could pull off a major shock and beat the former Premier League winners. Throw in gate receipts as well and you are talking about a major sum of money for a League Two club. No pressure then…

It’s a similar story for Tranmere and Blackpool. Tranmere were held to a 1-1 draw at home by National League North outfit Southport in their second round derby. The replay on Monday week is live on BT Sport, meaning both clubs will pocket £36,000 as a broadcast fee.

But again, it’s the potential third round windfall that makes it so enticing for the clubs. The winners will host Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham on Friday, January 4. That match will be live on BT Sport 2, meaning whoever makes it through to play Spurs will trouser £150,000.

Blackpool host National League outfit Solihull Moors in a replay on Tuesday week, in front of the BT cameras. The winners host Arsenal on Saturday, January 5 and that match will also be on BT.

There’s work to do, but the fact the FA have doubled prize money this season means the rewards are even greater than ever.