With non-league Maidstone United travelling to Championship outfit Coventry City, we’ve taken a look at what the FA Cup prize money could do for Maidstone if they win.
Maidstone United are currently eighth in the National League South, the sixth tier of English football. The lowest-ranked side still in this year’s FA Cup, they have been on some run.
They have already defeated teams multiple leagues above them, including claiming the scalp of Championship promotion-chasers Ipswich Town in round four.
With seven wins under their belt already, Maidstone began their campaign with a 4-1 win at Steyning Town in September.
They then beat Winchester and Torquay in the third and fourth qualifying rounds, setting up a first-round proper tie with Chesham United, themselves from the seventh tier.
But sterner tests followed as they overcame League Two Barrow and League One Stevenage. Then, they made the daunting trip to Ipswich Town, who are currently third in the Championship.
Lamar Reynolds put them in front before a deflected equaliser looked to have spared the Tractor Boys’ blushes. But Sam Corne’s superb finish sealed the win for Maidstone, sending fans into rapture.
The win also made them the first National League North or South club to make the fifth round since the regional split in 2004.
Maidstone United’s FA Cup Run So Far
- Second Qualifying Round | Stenying Town 1-4 Maidstone United | 16 September 2023
- Third Qualifying Round | Winchester City 0-2 Maidstone United | 30 September 2023
- Fourth Qualifying Round | Torquay United 0-2 Maidstone United | 14 October 2023
- First Round Proper | Chesham 0-2 Maidstone United | 4 November 2023
- Second Round | Maidstone United 2-1 Barrow | 2 December 2023
- Third Round | Maidstone United 1-0 Stevenage | 6 January 2024
- Fourth Round | Ipswich Town 1-2 Maidstone United | 27 January 2024
- Fifth Round | Coventry City ?-? Maidstone United | 27 February 2024
How Much Is FA Cup Prize Money?
The Emirates FA Cup: Season 2023-24 Prize Money
- Extra preliminary round winners (208) £1,125
- Extra preliminary round losers (208) £375
- Preliminary round winners (136) £1,444
- Preliminary round losers (136) £481
- First round qualifying winners (112) £2,250
- First round qualifying losers (112) £750
- Second round qualifying winners (80) £3,375
- Second round qualifying losers (80) £1,125
- Third round qualifying winners (40) £5,625
- Third round qualifying losers (40) £1,875
- Fourth round qualifying winners (32) £9,375
- Fourth round qualifying losers (32) £3,125
- First round proper winners (40) £41,000
- Second round proper winners (20) £67,000
- Third round proper winners (32) £105,000
- Fourth round proper winners (16) £120,000
- Fifth round proper winners (8) £225,000
- Quarter-final winners (4) £450,000
- Semi-final winners (2) £1,000,000
- Semi-final losers (2) £500,000
- Final runners-up (1) £1,000,000
- Final winners (1) £2,000,000
Amounts are per club in each round. Numbers in brackets represent the number of clubs receiving the respective payment per round.
With Maidstone now well and truly amongst the big boys, the FA Cup prize money is starting to reflect the level of competition.
Should the Stones make it through to the last eight of the competition, they will pocket £225,000. Added to their existing winnings, they will have earned £576,375 in prize money alone.
And with TV money, increased attendances and other boosted income, Maidstone could be earning more then £600,000 in total additional revenue from their amazing run.
Maidstone United Turnover
And while such a sum is peanuts to the financial powerhouses of the Premier League, for a club like Maidstone, it is monumental.
From July 2022 to June 2023, the club’s turnover was £2,082,880, with expenditure of £2,286,847. This means Maidstone made a loss of £202,967 last season.
While the club has made a profit in every other year since they opened their new Gallagher Stadium in 2012, it shows just how vital FA Cup prize money can be to smaller teams.
Maidstone’s loss last year has been attributed to several factors, including lower attendances and their relegation from the National League.
But with this cup run, they have already earned enough in prize money alone to wipe out last season’s loss. And if they can pull off another giant killing at Coventry, they will have recouped their loss almost three times over.
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