Newport County: Boss Mike Flynn hopes FA Cup cash boosts Exiles
Last updated on .From the section FA Cup
Newport County boss Mike Flynn says he hopes the money raised from the Exiles' FA Cup exploits can help him secure the futures of players and staff.
They held Manchester City for 51 minutes before losing Saturday's fifth-round tie 4-1, having already beaten Leicester and Middlesbrough this term.
The League Two side also made the fourth round last year and Flynn thinks the combined revenue could be £2m.
"The financial side of it is huge for the football club," he said.
"It allows us to plan properly and to get some contracts that we have been thinking about doing.
"Also the backroom staff, I can sort them out as well."
Newport have been transformed under Flynn's management.
When he took over, the Exiles were 12 points adrift in League Two with 11 games remaining in 2016-17 - but he steered them to safety.
Since then, the club - owned by their supporters - have produced two memorable FA Cup runs.
Last season, Newport beat League One Walsall and Championship challengers Leeds, before drawing with Tottenham in the fourth round and losing in a replay at Wembley.
This term, they stunned Premier League Leicester and the beat Championship outfit Boro in a replay at Rodney Parade.
TV revenues have been welcome, but Flynn says he believes the runs in the cup can help to increase the Exiles' fanbase.
"There are so many good memories for the club and the fans who come over," he told BBC Sport Wales.
"We are trying to bring back a generation of fans who we lost, and I think we are doing that because the atmosphere was electric.
"It was absolutely superb and we want to play in front of that a lot more."
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he was impressed by the atmosphere generated at Rodney Parade, which is primarily known as a rugby venue.
Newport only trailed the Premier League leaders 2-1 with a minute remaining and might have taken a 1-0 lead but for an outstanding save by Ederson.
"I'm quite surprised," Guardiola told BBC Sport Wales. "The support for the team was incredible, chanting: 'Who are you, who are you?'
"It was nice. It is English football. The cup is like this.
"I understand completely why Leicester and Middlesbrough suffered a lot in this stadium.
"It was tight - we scored the third goal just before 90 minutes - but we knew the game would be tight.
"We knew we would have to be ready to compete because it would be tough, and it was.
"A big congratulations to Newport for reaching this stage.
"What they do, they do incredibly. They attack the channels with long balls. In the second balls they are physical and strong. Every throw-in and free-kick, they are always dangerous because they train a lot and do it really well."
