Cup run should enable club to break even during the trading year

ORIENt’S FA Cup run is likely to earn the club around �700,000 this season – which could see them break even during the trading year.

Arsenal are due to visit Brisbane Road for an FA Cup fifth round tie on Sunday, February 20 in a televised game which is worth �247,500 to the club, who also picked up �90,000 in prize money for their win at Swansea on Saturday.

The Arsenal game is set to be a sell out, the first for a competitive fixture since the Orient ground was reconfigured.

The current capacity is 9,311 and Arsenal have been given 15 per cent of the ticket allocation.

Ironically, it’s the first time the O’s have been drawn at home in the competition this season and had the tie been at the Emirates, Orient could have pushed their profit figure from their FA Cup run past the �1million mark.

Orient’s chief executive Matt Porter insists that the club will not have a problem coping with a full house.

“The organisation on the day will not be a problem,” he said.

“The game will be a sell-out and I’m sure the tickets will sell out quickly.

“We have a fair ticketing policy in place,” added Porter who confirmed the club will not be raising prices for the tie. “We have given Arsenal 15 per cent of the tickets, which we are required to do, but it means as many Orient supporters as possible will be given the chance to see the game.”

“It’s the sort of draw we have been dreaming of,” said Porter.

“It makes all those long trips in freezing conditions to places like Carlisle worthwhile.

“It gives our players the chance to showcase what they can do on the big stage and we’re all looking forward to it. It should be a great day.”