SUTTON UNITED CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF HISTORIC EMIRATES FA CUP RUN
Wednesday 11th October
SUTTON UNITED CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF HISTORIC EMIRATES FA CUP RUN
The Emirates FA Cup visited Sutton United, as the club prepares for a highly anticipated return to the competition this weekend. The famous piece of silverware was joined at the Knights Community Stadium by the players, manager and chairman, all of whom revealed the positive impact that last year’s historic cup run had on the club and the town.
Last season, the Vanarama National League side shocked the nation to reach the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round for the first time in the history. The run saw them beat three EFL clubs – Cheltenham Town, AFC Wimbledon and Leeds United – before losing valiantly to Arsenal in front of a domestic TV audience of over seven million. On Saturday (14 October), they will be back in the competition as they travel to Paulton Rovers from the Evo-Stik Southern League in the Fourth Round Qualifying.
The historic cup run saw the club receive approximately £710,000 in revenue from prize money, TV broadcast and commercial fees. The money is set to have a long-lasting legacy, having been carefully invested for the future. The club has already refurbished both the home and away dressing rooms, with the home changing room being almost doubled in size, installed a new score board, LED floodlights and turnstiles, the electrics throughout the ground have been improved along and there’s also a new club shop. A new TV gantry is planned in the near future. Aside from the physical improvements to the club, they have been able to reduce its loan term on their 3G pitch from 10 years down to five.
Bruce Elliott, Chairman of Sutton United said: ”Seeing the Emirates FA Cup at the club, brought back the memories of our cup run last year and whets the appetite even more for this year’s competition. Last season proved a great experience for the club, and the money gained allowed us to make the improvements to the ground that we always wanted to make. It would be wonderful to be able to repeat it again this season, although at the moment we are not looking further than a very tough Fourth Round Qualifying tie on Saturday at Paulton Rovers.”
David Newton, The FA’s Head of Competitions said: “The Emirates FA Cup inspires fans, players and clubs to believe that anything is possible – as demonstrated by Sutton United’s incredible feat in last year’s competition. Success and the sizeable financial benefits the competition brings can help safeguard the future of a club like Sutton United. The club must be congratulated for the diligent way they have invested the money, which should mean the cup’s legacy will live on for the club, its fans and the local community for many years to come.”
64 clubs will take part in the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifying this weekend, with winners receiving £12,500 in prize money and earning them a place in the first-round draw on Monday (16 October) evening.