NEWPORT County AFC know a win against Middlesbrough tonight will secure a fifth-round home tie against Manchester City and take the club’s earnings from this season’s FA Cup run over the £1million mark.
The winners of this evening’s fourth-round replay at Rodney Parade will host the reigning Premier League champions on Saturday, February 16.
And victory for County against Championship challengers Boro would also be a massive financial boost.
The Exiles have already earned £647,000 from the FA prize fund, the new EFL progress prize and from broadcast fees after wins over Met Police, Wrexham and Leicester City.
And if they see off Tony Pulis’ side tonight, they will be guaranteed another £552,000 as the lone surviving League Two side and with the City tie to be shown live on BT Sport – just like tonight’s match.
That would make their total cup windfall around £1.2m, and that is before gate receipts and increased commercial revenue are taken into account.
“It’s going to be a big one,” said manager Michael Flynn.
“A win would be massive for the club. It’s absolutely huge.”
A sell-out crowd of more than 6,000 will be packed into Rodney Parade tonight and Flynn is relishing the big occasion.
“It’s fantastic,” said the Exiles boss. “It’s great that people are coming out to support us and I think there’ll be a few stubs kept if we win because it will mean they get priority for the Man City game.
“Let’s just hope we give them some more special memories.
“I know it will be a special atmosphere. The fans love the big occasion and they will get behind us.”
But Flynn is taking nothing granted against Tony Pulis’ side tonight.
“They’re very good away from home,” he said. “They’ve just gone to West Brom and won 3-2.
“They’re littered with quality players and they’re a very talented team.
“They’ve got a big game on Saturday – an early kick-off against Leeds. If they win that they’re right in the mix to get back into the Premier League and that’s obviously their main goal.
“But I know Tony and he’ll want to win it all so I’m not expecting a weakened team.
“I hope he does rest a few but I’m sure he will bring a squad and pick a team that he thinks can beat us.
“And they should beat us. They’re big favourites but, as we’ve shown before, if we turn up and play to our capabilities, we’re a match for anyone on our day.
“We’re playing against a top Championship team and I just hope we do ourselves proud and get a positive result, because it’s absolutely huge for the football club.”
Asked about the incentive of facing Pep Guardiola’s superstars in the next round, Flynn said: “I’m not even thinking about that.
“I’ll start imagining it at about 10pm [tonight], if we win. It could end up like Bullseye – it might be like Bully’s special prize – look what we could have won.”
Read more: Tony Pulis wary of another cup upset at Rodney Parade
Read more: Joe Day could miss birth of his twins to take on Boro
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