Author: BBC Sport
Maidstone United’s extraordinary FA Cup run is “not a game-changer” in terms of money the non-league club has made, says co-owner Oliver Ash.
The Stones, who play in National League South, are away to Championship club Coventry City in the fifth round on Monday (19:45 GMT kick-off).
They are the lowest ranked team to reach the last 16 since Blyth Spartans in 1977-78.
“This run has earned us something like £700,000 before tax,” said Ash.
Talking to BBC Sport, he added: “It’s substantial but it’s not necessarily a game-changer. We’ve obviously been doing the accounts and tried to work out what it does mean.
“It’s excellent but it isn’t life-changing.”
Maidstone, who entered the FA Cup at the second qualifying round stage, have won seven matches to reach the fifth round and collected £351,375 in prize money alone.
They have also earned extra from television revenue, sponsorship deals and gate receipts.
The Kent club will receive an additional £225,000 in prize money should they beat Coventry, who are 95 places higher in the football pyramid.
Their run has included wins over Championship side Ipswich Town in the fourth round, League One Stevenage in the third and League Two Barrow in the second.
“We’ve created probably 20 years of buzz from this run,” added Ash.
“When a club like ours get this far, it’s what the FA Cup really does mean these days. When you see all these fans having the time of their lives, you just want that to continue.
“The club nearly went under in 2010. My dream is nothing more spectacular than wanting Maidstone United to be stable and sustainable.
“Up until last year we’d had 10 years of making profits every year as a club.
“That builds the club for the future rather than relying on a sugar daddy owner chucking money in and then getting fed up and disappearing, leaving the club in peril.”