FA Highlights Cup’s Lower League Legacy
The 2018-19 Emirates FA Cup got underway at the weekend, with the FA keen to highlight the impact of its prize fund on the development of clubs further down English football’s pyramid.
It comes after The FA doubled the prize fund for clubs competing in the 2018-19 Emirates FA Cup to £30.2m.
Ahead of the first round of games this weekend, football chiefs headed to Lincoln City FC to gain a first glimpse at the League Two side’s new £1.3million Elite Performance Centre.
The centre is a legacy of the prize-money secured during the Imps’ giant-killing FA Cup campaign in 2016-17, which was finally ended by Arsenal at the Quarter Final stage.
After reaching the Third Round Proper, the then Vanarama National League side claimed the scalps of Ipswich Town, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley en-route to the Quarter Final, before a courageous defeat against the eventual winners Arsenal.
The club’s new 12.3 acre development, set to be fully operational before the end of month, includes three elite grass football pitches, a fully equipped gymnasium, changing rooms and new staff offices. As well as the 400m² main building, the training ground features two specialist TV towers that will enable the club’s technical staff to film and analyse training and matches in real-time.
Also included is an innovative sprinkler system, boasting 55 water sprinklers that can be activated remotely from anywhere in the world, and an additional new groundcare building to protect the ground staff’s equipment.
Andy Ambler, The FA’s director of professional game relations, commented: “We are very proud to be here on what is an exciting day for Lincoln City Football Club. It is terrific to see that the £1.3m earned from their Emirates FA Cup run has been used in such a way, creating a true legacy, the benefits of which will be felt for generations to come at this forward-thinking club.
“This facility is a prime example of just how impactful prize money can be, which is why we were so delighted to double Emirates FA Cup prize fund this season. This will deliver increased support for clubs at all levels of English football, and we wish them the very best of luck for this campaign.”
Danny Cowley, Lincoln City’s first team manager, added: “This is a huge moment for Lincoln City Football Club, and I can’t wait to get stuck into training here with the squad. I still reflect on our 2016-17 Emirates FA Cup run with a lot of pride, and this brings back a lot of those feelings. This new facility is going to be a fantastic legacy to that achievement, but most importantly it will play a big role in nurturing the future talent of this club.”
As part of the improved prize money available during the 138th edition of the world’s first domestic football competition, winning clubs throughout the First Round Proper stand to receive £36,000.
Earlier this month, concerns were raised over the funding up lower league clubs in English football, following the collapse of the FA’s sale of Wembley Stadium to Shahid Khan.
