Promotion from League One may be the only priority for Phil Parkinson's Sunderland this season - but don't underestimate the value of a good cup run.
While the Black Cats' League Cup exploits brought them little other than gate money, the winners of each round in the FA Cup receive a set amount, increasing round by round.
Sunderland take on in the first round on Saturday, with the winners landing £36,000 in prize money.
Given that they would then face another side at the same or lower level in round two, a potential windfall of £54,00 is on offer - and a third-round tie with the chance to landing a Premier League side.
Gate receipts from a lucrative draw against one of the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool or Arsenal would be a timely boost in early January with the transfer window open for business.
A cup run is doable for a team like Sunderland, even if it requires the luck of the draw.
League Two side Newport County managed to reach the FA Cup fifth round where they managed to earn around £400,000 excluding television money from playing both Leicester City and Manchester City at home.
FA Cup prize money 2019-20
Extra preliminary round winners: £2,250 Losers receive £750
Preliminary round winners: 2,890 Losers receive £960
First round qualifying winners: £4,500 Losers receive £1,500
Second Round Qualifying winners: £6,750 Losers receive £2,250
Third Round Qualifying winners: £11,250 Losers receive £3,750
Fourth Round Qualifying winners: £18,750 Losers receive £6,250
First Round Proper winners: £36,000
Second Round Proper winners: £54,000
Third Round Proper winners: £135,000
Fourth Round Proper winners: £180,000
Fifth Round Proper winners: £360,000
Quarter-Final winners: £720,000
Semi-Final winners: £1,800,000
Semi-Final losers: £900,000
Final runners-up: £1,800,000
Final winners: £3,600,000
