Brackley FA Cup shock a 'massive' financial bonus

Francis Oliver said the FA Cup offered Brackley a timely financial boost

Brackley Town's FA Cup giant killing of Notts County is a "massive bonus" for the non-league club, according to its former chairman.

The Saints, of the National League, beat their League Two opponents after a penalty shootout, in a match televised on BBC Two.

The south Northamptonshire side, who were promoted from National League North last season, earned £47,750 from the FA's prize fund for their victory, as well as a £50,000 fee for the game being broadcast on TV.

Francis Oliver, the club's former chairman, said the result was "something else to put in the memory bank for the club and the town".

Mr Oliver, who stepped down as chairman at the end of last season but is still on the club's board of directors, said after returning home from the match he celebrated by "eating two slices of toast" and watching the game again in full on BBC iPlayer.

He said the money earned from the tie was a boost, because it had to spend cash improving its ground to the required standard following promotion to the top league of non-league football this summer.

"We've had to spend a lot of money to do the upgrades," he explained. "It has been a massive bonus. We did get [some] funding [after our promotion], but you only get so much and have to find the rest."

It is the fifth time Brackley have reached the FA Cup's second round - the furthest the club have ever progressed in the prestigious cup competition.

They will learn who their next opponents are when the draw is made on Monday evening.

Mr Oliver, who played in goal for Brackley in the 1970s, said he was "hoping for a home draw", as all of the Saints' previous second round appearances had been away from their St James' Park stadium.