HEREFORD manager Josh Gowling says that having their FA Cup first round game against Portsmouth televised is ‘massive’ financially for the football club.
The Bulls will feature on BBC Two on Friday, November 4, when they host Portsmouth at Edgar Street (7.55pm).
Hereford are rumoured to be receiving £50,000 from the television coverage while a bumper crowd is expected to boost their coffers further.
Winning sides in the FA Cup first round will also receive £41,000 in prize money.
“You can’t really budget for a cup run as anything can happen,” said Gowling.
“Any money that they get in from the cup is fantastic and makes the club more stable and financially secure.
“Getting the game on the TV gives the club extra revenue, if we can get the win as well that adds to it and obviously the gate.
“It’s absolutely fantastic for the football club and the sustainability of the football club it’s massive. Everybody is delighted at the football club as it takes them strains away about where the club is at currently.
“One it puts us out there for everybody to see as it’s a Friday night on the television but financially for the football club it’s massive.
Ahead of the game Hereford have four games in two weeks starting with a trip to Bradford (Park Avenue) tomorrow, AFC Fylde at home on Tuesday, Curzon Ashton away next Saturday and Farsley Celtic at home on November 1.
Gowling added that the club have asked the National League to move their Farsley match which comes just three days before the big FA Cup game.
“We’ve actually asked the National League as we’ve got Farsley on the Tuesday and ideally we wouldn’t play that game,” added Gowling.
“With the squad we’ve got and the recovery time on a Tuesday night to play on a Friday is going to be tough.
“Hopefully the National League will understand that, we’re representing the league and we want to put the best show on possible for people to become more interested in lower league football.”
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