How much has Grimsby Town earned from the FA Cup run?

The Mariners’ run to the FA Cup quarter-finals has not only brought so much joy to many across North East Lincolnshire, but it has also provided a healthy boost to the club’s finances.

Town head to the South coast on Sunday to take on Brighton, who sit seventh in the Premier League, in what will be their first last-eight tie in the world’s oldest national football competition since 1939.

Paul Hurst’s men have made history along the way, having become the first team to beat five sides from leagues above in consecutive rounds, including the memorable victory over top-flight Southampton earlier this month.

That has provided a significant boost to the club’s finances, with the prize fund tally reaching £558,000 on the back of those victories.

Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside after the fifth-round win at St Mary’s, Town’s chair Jason Stockwood said: “Let’s not kid ourselves, financially it’s going to really help put a bit of wind in our sales.

“It’s about £250,000 for getting through and then there will be more from the next round.”

The Mariners’ co-owner committed that every penny earned during the cup run will go towards the playing budget, which will go a long way towards helping Hurst and his staff put together a squad capable of challenging at the top end of League Two next season.

“So not only is it a brilliant experience, but you can see what it does for clubs like Lincoln if you use this kind of money wisely. We can look to kick on next year.”

On top of the prize money, Town will have also profited greatly from gate receipts, which both sides take a 45% cut of no matter where the tie is played, as well as the money received from the broadcasters.

With a £200,000 windfall incoming from the Brighton game being televised on BBC One on Sunday, the club’s profits from the competition are expected to reach about the £1m mark.

Another unlikely cup victory at the Amex would provide a further £450,000 to the coffers for winning the tie, with a guaranteed £500,000 handed to each semi-finalist and a bumper crowd at Wembley Stadium adding even more to the earnings.

So, if the unthinkable were to happen, Sunday could be a memorable day on and off the pitch for the Mariners.

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