FA Cup provides sanctitude for cash-strapped clubs

Year-on-year the FA Cup provides us with great memories and occasions but this year’s competition has one more reason to be loved in a valentines weekend fifth round that was crucial for financially stricken clubs.

England’s most lucrative cup competition is renowned for ‘David v Goliath’ clashes and money-spinning ties between non-league sides and league opponents with the financial reward a great incentive for teams. This year’s cup, which so far is remembered for Northwich Victoria’s famous victory over Charlton Athletic in the first round and Leeds United’s win against Premier League Champions Manchester United in the third round, involves no non-league sides anymore but still has teams chomping at the bit to progress to the next round for the financial reward.

Cash-strapped clubs Portsmouth, Crystal Palace, Cardiff City and Notts County were all in action in this weekend’s fifth round. Cardiff and Notts County suffered heavy defeats away at Premier League opposition but still earned financial reward through game receipts. However the big earners, for a change, in this weekend’s action were heavy debt rollers Portsmouth, who beat Southampton, and Crystal Palace, who drew with Carling Cup finalists Aston Villa.

Ahead of Portsmouth’s 17-mile short trip to south-coast rivals Southampton on Saturday there was speculation in the morning papers that it could well have been their last game. The 2008 Cup winners have until Friday to prove they can service debts of up to £60million.

Saturday’s 4-1 win over the Saints did not only provide Pompey fans with derby day bragging rights but was a great lift to the fight against the financial problems facing the club. The club are set to receive around £500,000 including TV revenue, prize money and gate receipts. Had they lost that game it could have been the final nail in the coffin but the FA Cup, which for some clubs is becoming less of a concern and overshadowed by league ambitions, could turn the fortunes of Portsmouth football club around.

Albeit half a million pounds is a long way off their totalling debt - an FA Cup run could be the answer to many Pompey’s fans prayers with a quarter-final home draw against Birmingham City in a round that see’s two of the competitions favourites meet each other. Chelsea face Manchester City if they can overcome Stoke City at the Britannia in a reply of the 1-1 draw at Eastlands on Saturday and many Portsmouth fans may be beginning to believe they can achieve something in this year’s Cup.

Am I suggesting they can win it, well not entirely but, with manager Avram Grant firmly behind the side and showing passion previously never shown during his tenure at Chelsea - a cup run with progression through to the semi-finals worth £360,000 it could prove crucial to Pompey’s survival.

Meanwhile Crystal Palace, who were on the verge of producing one of shocks of the fifth round against Aston Villa before a late headed equaliser by Stiliyan Petrov, achieved what administrator Brendan Guilfoyle would describe as the perfect result.

However manager Neil Warnock may disagree after the Palace manager was disgusted with the award of the corner which led to Petrov’s header. The chance to go back up to the Midlands in the FA Cup, this time to face Aston Villa as opposed to previous cup opponents Wolves, will land more finances for the club in a game that is surely destined to be screened live after today’s epic encounter – generating further television money.

Palace are set to cash in on a 20,000 attendance that enjoyed a game played in great spirit, bar an Ashley Young dive early on, and what appeared a terrific atmosphere at Selhurst Park. With television rights worth £247,000 for the game and a replay, if won, set to earn £180,000 the FA Cup will provide the south London club with much needed cash.

And if Palace do perform the unlikely and beat Villa in ten days time Warnock may not feel too heavily aggrieved with Kevin Friend’s decision to award a corner after the ball clearly rebounded behind off Nathan Delfouneso's head. The reward for beating Villa will be a trip to either Reading or West Brom in the quarter final and is it too ridiculous to suggest Crystal Palace in the semi-finals – which between now and then would see them earn £560,000 just in prize money.

The Eagles are soaring since they were plunged into administration less than three weeks ago and the news which devastated everyone involved with the club has seemed to galvanise them.
But the impressive way Palace have managed themselves, or should I say been managed by Neil Warnock, has attracted interest elsewhere and reports before kick-off that Queens Park Rangers have taken a keen interest in Warnock will worry many fans who believe he is key to escaping the financial woe currently surrounding the club.