Cherries: Mitchell would welcome cup windfall

10 August 2010 07:00
WHILE south coast pride may be on the line when Cherries meet Southampton tonight, there will be little else at stake for the neighbours.[LNB] There is no prize money in the Carling Cup until the semi-finals, although both clubs stand to receive 45 per cent of the gate receipts, with the remainder going into a Football League pool.[LNB] Although no provision has been made on the Dean Court balance sheet for a cup windfall, Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell admits one would be most welcome.[LNB] Mitchell told the Daily Echo: We don't budget for a cup run but, if we were to have one, it would be great. It would be a financial benefit to everybody.[LNB] We're not relying on it and it's not in the cash flow. It would be an added bonus, which is always appreciated. Staying in the league has got to be the priority over any cup competition.[LNB] Both Cherries and Saints will be looking to claim their first victories of the season when they meet for the first time, competitively, since they were paired in the League Cup in 1987.[LNB] While Eddie Howe's men were beaten 1-0 at Charlton on Saturday, Alan Pardew's League One favourites suffered a shock 1-0 home reverse at the hands of Plymouth Argyle.[LNB] Mitchell added: It's a massively important game for us. First and foremost, they are in our league so we want to challenge them to our best in all three games. The results in the league are the top priority.[LNB] We are rivals to a degree and we have all got our own ambitions. Mine is to surpass them in the league.[LNB] Mitchell concedes an away draw is likely to be more financially beneficial to Cherries, with around 4,000 travelling supporters expected to make the trip to St Mary's.[LNB] It depends how many turn up their end but I think the attendance will surpass what we would have got in our stadium, said Mitchell. Financially, we're going to be better off, but I would rather have played it at home. It's not too far to go and we have sold the best part of 4,000 tickets so it should be a good evening.[LNB] Cherries could also yet meet Saints in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with the first round draw taking place on Saturday.[LNB] While 16 teams have been given byes, the remaining 32, including holders Southampton, have been divided into four geographical regions for the first round.[LNB] Cherries and Saints are in the west group of the southern section along with Aldershot, Exeter, Oxford, Swindon, Torquay and Yeovil.[LNB] Mitchell added: As a board, the more cup competitions, the merrier because they coin in the money. On the playing side, I'm sure the fixture list would be manageable if we were to have a good run in any competition.[LNB] The JPT prize fund is: £5,000 (first round), £7,000 (second round), £10,000 (area quarter-final), £17,000 (area semi-final), £25,500 (area final), £40,000 (winners).[LNB]

Source: Bournemouth_Echo