Harrogate Town v Skelmersdale United - Simon Weaver hoping to cash in on FA Cup run
The League Two newcomers will be seeking to avoid a first-round banana skin tonight when they entertain Skelmersdale United of the North West Counties Premier Division in front of BT Sport cameras.
Desperate for a return to winning ways following four matches without a victory, while doubtless eyeing a potential glamour tie with Premier League opposition in round three, there will be a number of motivating factors at play when the Wetherby Road outfit take the field this evening.
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Hide AdBut, perhaps most significant of all given the current climate is the sum of more than £25,000 in prize money which is at stake, something that Weaver admits he is all too aware of.
“We need to deliver for a number of reasons. Obviously we want an FA Cup run, we owe it to the fans, but we’ve had almost no revenue for such a long time now that the prize money on offer becomes so important,” he said.
“I am probably more aware of the financial implications of not progressing into round two than I ever have been before because of my close connection to the board and because my dad [Irving Weaver] is the chairman.
“As the manager, I’ve got to look at the bottom line. The cash that’s up for grabs would make a huge difference because we’ve had so little coming into the club due to the situation with Covid-19.”
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Hide AdSuccess over Skelmersdale, who are the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, will earn Harrogate £16,792.
They would also be guaranteed a minimum of £8,500 in round two, a figure that would rise to £25,500 if they also emerge victorious from that tie.
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