Eastleigh chief executive Mark Jewell says the club's live TV snub has given them even more incentive to reach the FA Cup fourth round.

The Spitfires have missed out on a £144,000 windfall after their FA Cup third-round game against Bolton Wanderers was not chosen as one of the five televised ties.

Instead Exeter v Liverpool, Wycombe v Aston Villa, Spurs v Leicester, Chelsea v Leyton Orient/Scunthorpe United and Manchester United v Sheffield United will be shown live.

 

 

Spitfires chairman Stewart Donald made his views clear, while chief executive Mark Jewell said: "It would have made a massive difference, not just the money but the spin-offs we would have got from the extra exposure.

"It's a shame. I'm sure we'll be on the extended highlights package so we'll still get coverage but you can't beat a live game.

"We're disappointed but they make a commercial decision based on their viewing figures and we're a non-league club playing a Championship club.

"The romance of that is obviously not as as strong as the commercial element, which is why Man United's game has been chosen for years and years.

"We understand that, but it's disappointing. Not that we need it but there's even more incentive now to get to the fourth round!"

Eastleigh will at least bank £67,000 if they beat Bolton and Jewell expects the tie to be confirmed as a 3pm kick off on Saturday, January 9.

He said: "Being able to play at 3pm on the Saturday is some consolation. We're meeting with the safety advisory group next week but I'm sure playing at the same time as Saints v Crystal Palace won't be a problem.

"It's an opportunity to showcase the club to a new set of fans. Hopefully a percentage of them will come back and even become season-ticket holders."

Tickets are already on sale to current season-ticket holders and will go on general sale on December 18.

Jewell added: "It's been absolute madness since the result on Saturday. Fans have been ringing up wanting to buy tickets and businesses are wanting to get involved in sponsorship.

"But first and foremost we've got a big game against Aldershot in the FA Trophy tomorrow."