The eye opening prize money figure Hartlepool United would get for winning the FA Trophy and how it compares to their FA Cup winnings so far

AFC Flyde players celebrate with the trophy at the end of the FA Trophy Final match between Leyton Orient and AFC Fylde at Wembley Stadium on May 19, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

Pools start their FA Trophy campaign at Harrogate Town on Saturday as manager Dave Challinor looks to retain the competition following his success with AFC Fylde last term.

And while winning a cup final at Wembley Stadium is invaluable in terms of an experience, the monetary rewards are fairly insignificant.

Many National League clubs don’t take the Trophy too seriously with the league being their primary target. This is backed up by the fact that Fylde are the only side in the last five seasons to have won the Trophy while also remaining competitive in the top tier of non-league football.

A run to the Trophy final, while sentimentally rewarding, offers little else to the National League clubs that compete in it.

Should they beat Harrogate on Saturday, Pools will receive £4,500 from the Trophy prize pool. Defeat would see them earn £1,500, which just about covers their travel costs.

In fact, a run to the Trophy final played at Wembley would earn £68,250 with the winners receiving an additional £30,000 on top.

So, before any additional costs, gate receipts or television revenue, success in the FA Trophy would generate £98,250.

While that figure is nothing to be sniffed at, the fact that Pools have already earned £108,750 by reaching the third round of the FA Cup certainly puts things in perspective in terms of their financial priorities.