Chairman Lee Carter today hailed AFC Telford United’s stirring FA Cup run that has had the club – and manager Rob Smith – laughing all the way to the bank.

The Bucks will pocket prizemoney of £12,500 for their 3-0 victory over Northwich Victoria in the fourth qualifying round on Tuesday.

And they will be playing for a bumper £20,000 pot against League One Southend at the New Bucks Head a week on Saturday as they enter the first round proper for the first time since re-forming.

Boss Smith and assistant Larry Chambers are also cashing in, thanks to the new contract they signed in the summer.

“Rob is sometimes labelled as a bit of a parks manager but he’s proved he’s so much more than that,” said Carter.

“He’s gone up to Northwich and tactically out-foxed an FA Cup winner (Vics boss Mike Marsh) so he deserves a lot of credit.

“When we negotiated a new contract with Rob and Larry in the summer we threw in a double win bonus for cup games.

“I thought we were being clever and would never have to pay them, given our record in cup games, but they’ve gone and won loads now so they’re laughing their socks off. They deserve every penny though.”

Carter had missed Telford’s earlier Cup ties for superstitious reasons, but took the gamble to watch Tuesday’s tie with the away fans.

“The curse is well and truly lifted,” he joked.

“I watched it from the terrace and it was probably the best football experience I’ve had in the four-and-a-half years this club has been going.”

On the financial implications of Telford’s Cup run, he added: “It’s come at a good time because crowds are a touch down this season and economic conditions are not as good as they were.

“Next Saturday will be an opportunity to put a few more pennies in the coffers, though I’d like to think we were credit crunch proof anyway.

“If we progress to Old Trafford in the third round then I wouldn’t have to work for the rest of the year, but on a serious note it makes life a little easier.”

Telford are planning for a crowd in excess of 4,000 against the Shrimps, though the match will NOT be all-ticket.

Normal matchday prices will be charged.

Carter also revealed vouchers will be handed out at the Southend game offering a discount to the following Blue Square North game against Gateshead.

• Striker Jarred Stevens got a run-out for Rushall Olympic last night in their UniBond League Cup tie at Kidsgrove, but could not prevent his side losing 3-0.

By CHRIS HUDSON