Exeter land TV cash boost
Cash-strapped Exeter City have landed another £150,000 (€214,800) windfall following confirmation that their FA Cup replay with Manchester United will be screened live on BBC.
The tie has now been put back to Wednesday, January 19, with a 7.45pm kick-off, allowing the nation a chance to see whether the non-League minnows can dump Alex Ferguson’s side out of the competition.
The extra cash means Exeter will have generated over £750,000 (€1m) through their two meetings with United, enough to wipe out their entire debt.
And that may not be the end of the story either as the ecstatic Grecians supporters await this afternoon’s fourth round draw.
Alex Inglethorpe’s side got themselves into the hat courtesy of Saturday’s amazing 0-0 draw at Old Trafford, a result that prompted a public apology from Ferguson to the Red Devils fans.
Exeter were today finalising ticket arrangements for the St James Park return, knowing their 9,000-capacity ground cannot even accommodate the number of visiting fans who travelled to Manchester to cheer on their team at the weekend.
Despite this, club officials have vowed not to increase prices above normal Conference levels, meaning those lucky enough to get in will have the chance to watch a far stronger United side at the cost of just £11 (€15.75).
The match has been moved to the Wednesday from the originally scheduled replay date of Tuesday, January 18 as BSkyB will televise Burnley’s rearranged tie with Liverpool that evening.
