Cash Boost for Welsh Cup

Coverage?
By Chris O'Brien
June 27 2004

The benefits of Sky's investment into Welsh football is already evident, with the Welsh Cup receiving a dramatic increase in prize money offered to clubs. The winners of the trophy will now net a cool £25,000 in a move that supporters hope will bring back the magic of the 126-year-old competition.

The Welsh Cup may be the most glorious competition in domestic football, but the FAW Premier Cup has overshadowed it in recent seasons due to the participation of the exile clubs and the mammoth prize cheque available to the winners. However, Sky's impressive cash injection into football in the principality following their purchase of rights to Welsh international matches and coverage of the domestic scene means this could change.

The team who lift the 2005 Welsh Cup will pick up £25,000 in prize money in addition to a place in next season's Uefa Cup. There are cash boosts of notes for sides going out at different stages in the competition also, with £500 available to sides reaching the last 64 and financial incentives increasing round-by-round. Losing quarter-finalists receive £5,000, whilst the runners-up of the competition receive consolation in the form of £15,000.

This additional cash boost will be welcomed by Welsh Premier clubs, who fear that the FAW Premier Cup could be heading towards extinction following threats from Cardiff City chairman Sam Hammam. The Lebanese businessman has selfishly declared that he may pull the plug on his team entering, which would be financially disastrous for many clubs in the national league. The increase in prize money will also encourage more clubs further down the pyramid to be more organised in entering the competition, with Spar Mid Wales League secretary Phil Pritchard particularly insistent that lower class sides must enter.

Meanwhile, there is a question mark over coverage for the Welsh Cup and all other domestic competitions next season. Sky currently hold the rights, and supporters are hoping that Sky could offer some form of highlights package or even provide live coverage of matches. However, this is unlikely and there is a possibility these rights will be sold back to the BBC for the forthcoming term, meaning Sky would only hold rights to the Welsh national side.

Rhyl are current holders of the prestigious trophy, which has enjoyed a magnificent history since its formation in 1878. The exiles being barred from competing in the mid-90's has taken some of the gloss of the competition, but hopefully the increase in prize money and the possibility of Sky television coverage will mean it receives the media coverage it deserves next season.