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Last-gasp heroics earn huge cash windfall
Date published: 18 February 2013
LATICS cup hero Matt Smith is getting used to being BIG news.
The 6ft 6in striker — pictured with a giant print of the Chronicle’s Digital First 12-page special on the 2-2 fifth-round draw with Everton — was back in training this morning as he and his teammates attempted to come down to earth after Saturday night’s heroics.
Having netted the injury-time equaliser to spark wild scenes of celebration at Boundary Park, the Manchester University graduate was again national headline news, having previously scored to give Latics victory over Liverpool in round four.
The chance of a replay at Goodison Park was the stuff of dreams for Latics, sending a buzz round the town and bringing money rolling into the cash-strapped club.
Smith’s 95th-minute header was worth a six-figure sum to Latics — now the lowest ranked club left in the competition. Big paydays from two home ties against Premier League giants Liverpool and Everton have given the club breathing space.
Now the team is set to take a healthy away following to Merseyside next week — the tie is provisionally set for February 27, but could change if television wants to screen the replay live.
Latics will receive 42.5 per cent of what is likely to be a massive box-office take: Everton has averaged over 36,500 fans a game at home this season.
If Latics pull off another giant-killing victory they will play at home to Premier League club Wigan Athletic in the last eight in early March.
The Chronicle will be running special match-day coaches to Everton for the FA Cup fifth-round replay.
Book your seat with the Blue Army by calling the Chronicle ticket hotline on 0161-622 2130. Tickets are £10.
Confirmation of departure and return times will be made once the date and time of the match have been fixed.
The cup heroics of Latics could bring a cash bonus for local hospice Dr Kershaw’s.
We are extending our “Blue Day for Dr K” promotion until next week’s replay so local businesses and offices can have a “dress down” Blue Day and collect £1 from each participant for the Royton hospice.
Contact the Chronicle Picture Desk on 0161-622 2136 and we will come along to take pictures at your “Blue Day for Dr K”.
When you then bring your collected fund to the Chronicle office we will give you a copy of the Chronicle containing your photograph and a special Latics player poster for each participant.
Show your support for Latics and give Dr Kershaw’s a boost a the same time — everyone’s a winner!
TWELVE page match special in tonight’s print and eChron editions.
Comments
What a day what a player,use some of the money to sign Matt Smith up on a long term contract before he is stolen by the big clubs.given that the match was screened worldwide i hope some rich Arab liked what he saw
I hope SC uses the money wisely some money towards the stand and some to next seasons budget.
The rest of the nation will be back us if the texts I received are anything to go by!
To all the moaners who were complaining about the council putting money into the club well what a good investment the 2 games have given the town more publicity & feel good factor around the town than anything else well done lads proud off the team
time to give the boy a new contract we can't let him go on a free end if season. can't believe the transformation in him he is a tv star now. everything is great a new stand more money coming in club security for the next season. shame about dickov big respect to him but with this squad we could do something next season in the league
LATICS38 -Is it a good investment by the council? Do you know the details of the agreement? Can you enlighten us?
My uncle Bill a big Latics fan died many years ago on 16th Feb and his ashes were scattered at the Chaddy End. On Saturday I swear I could see him stood on the penalty spot willing the equaliser into the Everton goal and then he turned and waved to the crowd - spooky or what ?!
Smith is a legend.
ammypam it's no big secret just google it the world wide web is amazing the things you can find out on there oh now more publicity for the town the replay is on tv....
Have Your Say
Eulogies all round, the atmosphere, the game plan, the reaction of the team, the superb guidance of T.P. and associates plus the result made for a dream weekend. Great to see P.D. so delighted with everything and goes to show that where he might be small in stature he is a giant as a man! Let us hope that the team can carry this through into the Stevenage game and drive us out of the relegation scene. It is going to be very, very difficult but with the will and fortitude being shown it is on.
By caboroig @ 18/02/2013 15:30:41