Kentish Football 
Fleet's screen test could bring in at least £155,000
Wednesday 10th November 2010
EBBSFLEET UNITED’S FA Cup run this season could be worth at least £155,000 this season - but all Liam Daish’s side have to do is beat AFC Wimbledon at Stonebridge Road next Thursday, writes Stephen McCartney.
Due to the club’s relegation from the top-flight of non-league football, The Fleet began their FA Cup campaign in the Second Qualifying Round and they needed two games to knock Ryman Premier League side Cray Wanderers out of the competition.
ITV began their FA Cup online coverage in the Extra Preliminary Round in August, starting with Kent League Greenwich Borough and followed the winning team all the way through the World’s Greatest Cup Competition.
South Park were the victors that day so ITV followed the Reigate based side in the Preliminary Round with their shock win at Ryman League Division One South side Horsham YMCA.
Cray Wanderers needed a last-gasp Laurent Hamici goal to see off South Park in the First Qualifying Round - Wands boss Ian Jenkins was screened issuing an emotional team talk - and when the Wands were drawn against The Fleet in the Second Qualifying Round, the cameras were at both games between the Kent sides.
They then followed Ebbsfleet’s 1-0 win at Needham Market and again at Stonebridge Road for their comfortable 3-0 win over Blue Square Bet South rivals Boreham Wood in the Fourth Qualifying Round.
The prize money from The Football Association for winning three rounds has already come to £24,500 - but the club’s First Round tie against Media Darlings AFC Wimbledon has sent the money spinning into the Stonebridge Road coffers.
The two club's scooped £6,750 each from ITV1 for recorded highlights of the goal-less draw at Kingsmeadow, but the two clubs will bank £33,750 each from ESPN for screening the replay LIVE on Thursday 18 November (7:45pm).
If The Fleet get past Terry Brown’s full-time side, the club will not only bank a further £18,000 in prize money - but will be rewarded with LIVE COVERAGE from ITV1 for their Second Round home tie against either Milton Keynes Dons or Stevenage Borough, which will kick-off at 12:50pm on Saturday 27 November.
The Football Association have confirmed that the LIVE television coverage in the Second Round will bank each club £72,000 - and the winners will also bank £27,000 in FA prize money.
The television companies are desperate for the first ever meeting between AFC Wimbledon and Milton Keynes Dons - but Daish wants it to be his club in the Second Round.
Boss Daish, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, knows the importance of FA Cup income.
“It does help the coffers and it’s important. It can really make a club’s season.”
But before the club lock horns against AFC Wimbledon, Daish takes his side to Maidenhead United on Saturday, looking to consolidate their place in the Blue Square Bet South play-off zone.
The Berkshire side came away from Stonebridge Road with a 2-1 win on the opening day of the season, but The Fleet go into Saturday’s game on a fourteen match unbeaten run.
“We want to get our own back on Maidenhead,” said Daish. “That was one of those games where we could have been five or six nil up before they scored and before the penalty was give away. I still remember it now but we’re away and we want to preserve that (unbeaten) away record.
“It will be a tough game but we’re looking forward to all our football at the moment.”
Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk
Maidenhead United v Ebbsfleet United
Blue Square Bet South
Saturday 13th November 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm
At York Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1SF
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd