Newport County's heroics in the money-spinning FAW Premier Cup will swell Peter Nicholas' transfer kitty next season.

Stan Berry, co-ordinator of the club's strategic management team, vowed that Nicholas' transfer coffers will be the ultimate beneficiary so long as the club break-even in this financial year.

Finalists County have already bagged £66,500 from the lucrative BBC-backed competition and a win against either Wrexham or Rhyl in the final will bank them a further £50,000.

And Berry, who along with four other members run the business affairs of the club, said: "As long as the club break-even, the rest of the finances will benefit Nicholas' transfer kitty.

"Whereas, in previous years, prize-money from lucrative cup competitions has been eaten away by club debts, this prize-money will be ploughed into strengthening the team next season as we should have a clean slate."

Newport have had their fair share of cash-flow troubles and they only remained £17, 444 in the black last financial year after a money-spinning FA Cup run, which ended in a first-round proper replay with Second Division Blackpool.

But Berry also ensured that any prize-money from cup runs next term, whether in the FA Cup, FA Trophy or FAW Premier Cup, will go towards building a team good enough to challenge for Nationwide Conference football as off-the-field affairs are now in order.

The SMT have been instrumental in introducing a number of initiatives that bring vital monies into the club.

Pre-match hospitality, golf days and sportsman's dinners have all proved successful, drawing in tens-of-thousands of pounds.

Berry added: "Modern football is a black-hole and, in the past, directors have thrown money into it just to keep the club afloat. But that is not going to be the case anymore.

"Newport County, like most other football clubs, have to run a very tight ship.

"Without the SMT, this club would face going to the wall. We have a long-term business plan that will hopefully give a chance of gaining promotion to the Conference.

"In football these days, off-the-field and financial affairs are just as important as the players' on-the-field performances.

"Newport County needs to be run as a business firstly and a football club secondly. If it's run the other way around, Newport County would almost certainly face financial ruin."