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I thought I'd do a little financial experiment with the cups in my new Worcester FM game... to see if they are financially viable to go for a good run, or if it's a complete waste of time.
And I was a little surprised...
2004/5 F.A. Cup
Second Qualifying Round
Worcester City 4 Ashford Town (Middlesex) 0
Crowd: 1476
Gate: £7426
Prize Money: £4000
Third Qualifying Round
Corby Town 1 Worcester City 4
Crowd: 2911
Gate £11,880
Prize Money: £5000
Fourth Qualifying Round
Worcester City 2 Hemel Hempstead Town 0
Crowd: 1681
Gate: £8496
Prize Money: £10,000
Now, given that the Conference teams enter at the Fourth Qualifying Round, then there's every chance you can reach this stage each season, especially with the sheer number of non divisional sides in the cup. And when in this round, 22 Conference clubs and 64 clubs in the draw, roughly a one in three chance of drawing one of them, so still a good chance of a good draw and progressing.
By this stage, I had made £46,802. Taking my squad weekly wage of £2825, this paid their wages for 16 whole weeks, a godsend for any Conference North/South club.
Of course, with Conference sides not playing the first two rounds, they actually make less cash for reaching round one.
First Round
Worcester City 0 Barnsley 1
Crowd: 4709
Gate £23,968
So, in the 2004/5 F.A. Cup, I got to the first round and made £70,770 in doing so. I feel the first round is a realistic target each season, unless you're unlucky enough to draw a Conference club in the final qualifying round. The money I made paid the squad wages for 25 weeks, virtually half the year. Not to be grumbled about for playing four matches.
2004/5 F.A. Trophy
First Round
Dover Athletic 2 Worcester City 2
Crowd: 1328
Gate £3386
Second Round
Worcester City 1 Redbridge 1
Crowd: 630
Gate: £1607
replay
Redbridge 0 Worcester City 0 (Redbridge win on penalties)
Crowd: 986
Gate: £2522
The F.A. Trophy on the other hand, isn't one for milking the cash, unless you manage to fluke your way to the final rounds. A mere £11,055 from the four matches (albeit with two replays) pays the wages for just one month, so is only an unwanted distraction from trying to get promotion to the Conference. On the other hand, the F.A. Cup could provide you with the money to get the extra player or two in to make the final push.
Excellent post! Prize money is definitely critical in the early stages of various competitions and often makes the effort worthwhile. But, personally, I tend to place a lot of emphasis on cup competitions, mainly because of their effects on managerial reputation and board confidence. Making a lenghthy run in any competition will build prestige and help your cause, even if it doesn't bring much money.
However, one decision that you may be forced to make at the lower levels is to sacrifice cup performance in exchange for keeping your players fresh for the season. A good run for the trophy is nice, but sometimes it can tire out the squad and lead to fixture scheduling problems. So sometimes I've chosen to field a lesser squad for some cup matches. If I still win the matches, then great. But if I lose and it gives a few of my players some much needed rest, then it may be worth it, because sometimes it can be the difference between promotion and remaining stuck at a lower level.
What were your results like immediately following the Cup Ties, Nobster. How many players were fit for the next game, how many were injured and out for weeks, and most important...did the results following the Cup games prevent you getting at least a playoff position?
Cups suck ass. Promotion is my first and last concern, Cups are an unwelcome distraction...but good for giving my oldsters, youngsters and no-hopers a run-out.
I lost my next game after the Barnsley match, but won my next three, including an away game against a fellow playoff spot occupying team - Southport.
Currently 4th in the league.
The only games to affect the squad's fitness were the two replays which went to extra time, which it obviously would and is a pain in the arse.
Only one player got injured in all my cup runs too, against Corby. One red card as well, the first game against Redbridge, but his suspension was served in the replay anyway.
I'm with nobby on this one. The money i made from F.A. cup run in first season with Gainsbourgh (LLM thread) paid for a slightly bigger sqaud than normal which allows cup/league rotation and ability to ignore wage budget restrictions to an extend.
Even the F.A trophy (which i claim i won despite jumping ship after 1st leg semi away 5-1 win) has an appeal. Can't beleive how i felt seeing Gainsbourgh lose every game after i left but win the trophey on pens. Its my cup, i won it, not the new guy
Possibly was something to do with having zero money at new team. Winning something as an LLM would be nice because getting promotion from both leagues via playoffs feels dirty somehow. I want a league win (or a compensation cup)
I actually had the opportunity to speak to a real live LLM who was on holiday in Australia, he manages a team in the 5th tier I think, one rung below Conference North South somewhere near Bournemouth. His view on cups is like Nobbys, basically they are a cash cow for a club that struggles financially. If he can win 2 rounds it covers over 10 weeks wages and he starts in the 1st Qualifying round. this means the club survives financially.
The other interesting thing was his approach to friendlies, he has an annual game against Bournemouth, an average game sees a crowd of 120 the Bournemouth game attracts a crowd of 1200 again this is a much needed injection of cash for a struggling semi pro club.
In terms of scouting, he is it along with his Ass Man, they scout the local area and usually get players sent to them who are either not good enough for Bournemouth or Southampton and are looking to play semi pro. they keep very close relationshiops with both the larger clubs so they know of guys about to be released.
I've always been pro-cups. The money is always needed and can easily contribute to your promotion push. If your a good manager it shouldn't effect your team too much anyway.
Cups Suck Arse... Or Not? 
, as I usually just send in my youth team for experience
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