Carlisle will host Terry Venables's struggling West Yorkshire outfit if they can knockout Scunthorpe at Brunton Park in the second round replay. United earned the shot at a glamour tie when they battled hard for a 0-0 draw at Glanford Park on Saturday. Although under pressure for long spells, Carlisle held firm with keeper Matty Glennon and defender Peter Murphy in top form. Although the draw was great news for United owner John Courtenay and the club's commercial department, manager Roddy Collins was characteristically playing down all the hype. He was more concerned with beating Wrexham in the LDV Vans tomorrow night and again in the league on Saturday. He was also quick to remind fans that Scunthorpe still had to be defeated first. But the jovial Dubliner also saw the massive boost the draw could bring to the club. "It is a massive chance for the supporters to come back. It would really help us to have a full house against Scunthorpe. They know if they can help us beat Scunthorpe then the mighty Leeds United will be coming after Christmas," he said. Commercial manager Paul Bell said: "It is potentially a great money-spinner for the club and fans can help us achieve it by coming through the turnstiles against Scunthorpe" - a clear signal that vouchers will be issued at that game. The effect of live TV coverage would add considerably to the pay day that the Cumbrians will enjoy if they are able to beat the Iron next week. Sky or the BBC would pay out £265,000 if the game is screened live. A highlights package would be worth £40,000. The prize money for reaching Round 3 is a minimum of £50,000. A full house at Brunton Park of 15,300 - the number who attended the Arsenal match two years ago - would generate almost £200,000 in total gate receipts, a figure that would be split with Leeds after costs had been deducted. Reaching the Third Round and attracting the cameras could therefore be worth as much as £400,000 to the club once all other match day revenues such as programme sales, golden gamble ticket sales and catering income was added on. Owner John Courtenay said the club might also be in a position to re-open the Waterworks End temporarily for the tie. "We will look at that straight away and have costings done. If we can do it, we will do it," he said. The open northern terrace, which has not been used since Sheffield Wednesday visited in the FA Cup Fourth Round almost six years ago will need some work doing to bring it up to the required safety standards. It would add about a 1,000 to the capacity and would be expected to house away supporters. Picture from News & Star |
