City will pocket around £80,000 from the FA Cup even if they lose to Barnsley in round two.
But chairman Julian Rhodes is
hoping they can keep the ball rolling and draw a money-spinning clash with Premiership opposition.
Last week's win over Tranmere - City's first in the competition since 1999 - booked a trip to today's League One opponents on December 3.
It also guaranteed them a tidy
windfall that had not been budgeted for in pre-season.
"We don't even put a line in the
figures for the cup," said Rhodes.
"We have just assumed that we are going to get knocked out."
Rhodes is already bracing himself to pay the seven-figure loss the club are predicting for the season out of his own pocket. Any cash that can be generated via a cup run will ease that burden.
"There's at least a £1million
shortage and the main way we can eat into that is from the cup," said Rhodes.
"There is a further £24,000 prize money if you win the next round and if we could make it through and get a TV game, you are talking about £150,000.
"When we were last knocked out in the third round by West Brom, we made around £100,000. That is when the serious money can be made.
"We're all hoping to get through to at least the third round but if we don't, we will still have banked a reasonable amount."
Non-league Exeter received almost £1m in gate receipts and TV cash when they took Manchester United to a replay in January.
City's best windfall in recent years came during the Premiership
promotion season when they earned £200,000 from a defeat at Newcastle.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article