FA Cup run saved us - chairman
Kidderminster chairman Barry Norgrove admits that the club's FA Cup run has got them out of a hole - as a potential new backer comes to Harriers' attention.
A run to the third round, where they bowed out at Championship side Coventry in front of 13,652 fans, has swelled the Aggborough coffers to the tune of over £100,000.
That is before you factor in any FA Trophy run, with Harriers playing at Ilkeston tonight (7:45pm) in the second round. The tie winner will net £6,000 in prize money alone.
A home draw against York or Oxford on January 31 awaits in the third round, but it is the final that pays real dividends from a financial standpoint.
A £50,000 prize await the cup winners, with £25,000 for the runners-up. Factoring in a the bumper gate from a Wembley final and television rights, another six-figure payout is likely.
All is a long way off but, for now, the chairman can assess the benefits of their FA Cup heroics.
Norgrove said: "The money from our FA Cup run has got out of trouble, to be honest. We were looking in trouble at one point. We made a six-figure sum, which I reckon will be our operating money for the rest of the season.
"I will know more after our board meeting on Thursday, but I suspect that will be the case. It is great news for the club, in this economic climate the cup run has been a real godsend for us. We can afford not to worry about it for a period of time now.
"We still have the FA Trophy as well, which - apart from bring a great experience - can bring it's own financial rewards."
Norgrove is still calling for investment in the club, a search that began earlier in the season. He will meet with a potental backer later this week.
The Harriers chairman said: "The search for investment has not ended. I am hoping to arrange a meeting later this week with a businessman who is interested in backing us. I have left it until now, so to get Christmas out of the way and so on.
"I think they are interested in securing a seat on the board, which would bring £50,000 into the club. The more money we can get into the club, the more resources we will have available to take us to the next level.
"We just need to keep going as we have been doing."
