David Artell, firmly believes that a significant run in the FA Cup can help transform clubs.

The Alex boss is aiming for an extended run in this season’s competition and we have a tricky away tie at previous winners, Bolton Wanderers to negotiate first this weekend.

Artell understands that the competition will be sizably different because of having to be played behind closed doors for the foreseeable future, but he says that a significant run and preferably some television coverage could ease some financial burdens during the global pandemic.

Talking ahead of our first round tie at Bolton, Artell said: “A run in the FA Cup can have a dramatic impact at any club. You only have to see how it has benefitted the likes of Burton Albion, Lincoln and Crawley to name but three. They received a hefty sum for drawing some big clubs.

“The Cowley brothers made a real name for themselves by creating FA Cup upsets with Lincoln and it can make a massive difference to any club.

“We got to the third round last year and faced Barnsley, who were in their purple patch for the season. We ran them close. It was 2-1 until the final kick of the game.

“If we play well then we fancy our chances against anyone but we are not looking beyond Bolton tomorrow. They are finding their feet now and it will be a tough game. It will be a fiercely contested cup tie and we will have to play well to get through.”