FA Cup prize money more crucial than ever during ‘horrendous’ lockdown insists Hawks boss Paul Doswell

Hawks celebrate a goal during their 3-0 FA Cup fourth qualifying round win at Bath City last month. Picture by Kieron Louloudis.

And that's the message he will be reiterating to his squad with the potential of more than £50,000 up for grabs if they can get past Cray Valley PM.

The Hawks have already pocketed £30,875 in prize money and broadcast fees for beating Horsham, Chatham Town and Bath City to reach the first round proper.

Added to that, another £16,972 is on offer for the winners of Sunday's tie at Westleigh Park.

And if the Hawks were to make the second round, for only the second time in the club’s 22-year history, they would be guaranteed at least another £8,500 in prize money without taking into account additional broadcast fees.

They are funds Doswell admits would make a 'massive' difference to the Hawks amid the coronavirus outbreak and a second national lockdown.

‘It’s nearly a £50,000 financial prize for winning this game,' he calculated.

'That is massive. Forget the romance of the FA Cup, every pound is a prisoner at our level.

'It’s horrendous (the current situation).

‘Now the Westleigh (pub) is shut again, it’s just a nightmare to be fair to the club.

‘I’ll be getting that message across ... if we can help put money into the club, I know they would benefit massively from it.

'They’re a really good set of lads.

‘It’s not having to put pressure on them, they know what is at stake.

‘They know at this moment in time, let’s not beat around the bush, if they win it helps guarantee pay all of their salaries.

'That’s what we’re in this game for, we get paid to play football.

‘It will just be a big, big help if we were to win on Sunday.'

Although the prize money on offer is a massive incentive, Doswell feels the romance surrounding the competition still remains for non-league clubs.

He is no stranger to a cup run himself, having taken Sutton United to the fifth round in 2017 before being beaten by Arsenal.

It also provides a chance for players in the lower leagues to make a name for themselves and perform in front of the television cameras.

‘Everyone gets excited about the live cameras, especially the players,' Doswell added.

‘It’s a different week, an FA Cup week, it’s never the same feeling.

‘This is now really for the players. I think once you get into the first round then they’ve done the job for the club in that sense.

‘It’s then down to them to see how far they can go and experience as much as they can do.'