Cuts to FA Cup financial rewards is a massive blow to non-league clubs, says Lancaster City boss Mark Fell

The Dolly Blues host North West Counties Premier Division outfit Runcorn Town this evening in the first qualifying round of the competition at Giant Axe.

Two divisions above Town in the football pyramid, City are highly fancied to move through to the next round.

However, due to the Covid-19, the Football Association have had to cut the money available to each club per round.

As Fell understands it, prizemoney has been slashed by around two thirds compared to the same stage last season.

The disappointing issue for the Dolly Blues boss is the prizemoney for the overall winners of the competition remains the same as it was last season.

With the coronavirus massively affecting non-league clubs financially, the reduced FA Cup income will be severely felt.

"I think it's an absolute scandal that the FA have reduced the prizemoney," Fell said.

"When we beat Northwich Victoria last season, we got around £6,000 but I think we stand to get £2,000.

"It's the same stage of the competition. That is terrible really because the overall winners still get over one million pounds.

"So one of the Premier League clubs is still going to get a million quid.

"If we were to win three or four games in the FA Cup that would be our budget this season paid for.

"For a club like ours, it's a huge incentive to progress, but it's gone.

"Liasten, there is money to be had in this season's FA Cup and we'll have it if we can, but they have sort of taken away the rewards for winning in the FA Cup unless we win three or four games and get a TV game."

Meanwhile, Fell has urged his men to treat this evening's opponents with respect.

“A home tie against step five club is about as good as you’re going to get.

“Having said that, it is the FA Cup and if you’re not at it then you will get beaten. I know Runcorn Town from my days as manager of Nelson. They will be a typical Liverpool-based type team.

“They will be hard working, they will graft but we also know that they have got some quality in their ranks.”