Wrexham expect to bank £250,000 from FA Trophy run to Wembley

Wrexham expect to bank £250,000 from their run to Wembley in this season's FA Trophy Final.

The Dragons play Grimsby and will make history when they play at the home of English football for the first time on Sunday, 24 March.

Don Bircham, the Wrexham chief executive, claims the cup run will mean the club will break even.

"If we get a 30,000 (crowd), it will give each club £250,000 in gate receipts," said Bircham.

"Prize money, if we lose it's £67,000 and if we win you add another £25,000 to that.

"Merchandise and coaches should take us to £350,000. We have some costs of course.

"We have to look after the players but the best case scenario we are £300,000 - the worst case is £250,000."

Wrexham have already sold 17,000 tickets and are taking 70 coaches for their first trip to Wembley.

The Welsh side, who are second in the Blue Square Bet Premier, could achieve a league and cup double this season.

Wrexham beat Gainsborough 4-3 over a two-legged semi-final to reach Wembley for the first time in their history.

Manager Andy Morrell has already stated his priority is to get Wrexham promoted back into the Football League at the end of this season.

The Welsh club were relegated out of the Football League back in 2008 and have spent the last four seasons in the Conference.

Currently 10 points separate the top five sides in the Conference Premier with Wrexham two points behind leaders Mansfield.

Third-placed Kidderminster are a point behind Wrexham, while Newport and Grimsby Town have games in hand over the top three.

Mansfield go into Tuesday's top of the table clash at the Racecourse on the back of nine successive league wins.