The FA Cup is all about money and memories for lower-league clubs, according to Gillingham boss Mark Bonner. The 38-year-old is only in his second managerial job but he’s already got a major FA Cup scalp to his name after winning at Premier League Newcastle in 2022. “It’s great when the good stuff starts, it’s really good,” said Bonner. “If you can be at a club that gets on a run it is amazing, the emotion that’s attached. “I always say the FA Cup is about two things for a lower-league club, money and memories, and if you can have both you’ve had a brilliant a year in the competition. “The prize money on offer is big.
Obviously, the big lucrative replays are gone now, probably my favourite memory at my previous club was we played Manchester United at home, drew 0-0 and got a replay at Old Trafford, that was epic.
That created unbelievable memories and huge amounts of money. “We won at Newcastle, a full house at St James’ Park. You can have career highlights in this competition if you can get (past) a few rounds – but that’s the hard bit.
You’ve got to try and get through a few rounds and hope that the luck of the draw falls your way. “I’ve got some brilliant experiences in the competition and the lads would have done for sure.