Annan hoping for six-figure windfall from Rangers tie

The chairman of Annan Athletic football club has said he has high hopes of seeing a six-figure return from their away tie with Rangers in the Scottish Cup.

Russell Brown said there was always hope of pulling off a shock victory but the cash dividend from the fourth round clash would, in itself, make a big difference to the SPFL League Two side.

"In the lower divisions in Scotland teams are under constant financial pressure, and for many it is about getting from the start of the month to the end of the month," he said.

Annan booked their trip to Ibrox following a 4-0 win against Highland League side Buckie Thistle.

The opportunity for a lower league side to have its moment on the big stage against the game's biggest teams encapsulates the romance of the Scottish Cup.

However, the potential monetary rewards for progressing in the competition have become increasingly important and are no less an incentive.

Annan Athletic's average home attendance so far this season is a little over 300 fans.

In contrast, Rangers attract nearly 50,000 to their matches at Ibrox.

"There's a great dependency here on the number of Rangers fans that turn out," said Mr Brown.

"We will be taking, undoubtedly, a limited number of Annan fans up to the game - the more the better.

"It is about Annan going and playing against a big team like Rangers and for fans to be able to enjoy themselves and see just how Annan can - on a good day - compete against most teams."

Although their cup tie in January is unlikely to be a sell-out, it will still produce major revenue for the Dumfries and Galloway club.

The majority of the gate receipts from the game are split 50/50.

Mr Brown said that would make a significant difference in a difficult financial climate where - even for a community club like Annan - £10,000 does not come close to paying the monthly wage bill.

"We are constantly looking at ways and means of raising funds - and it's not just us," he said.

"We go to other division two teams and the conversations with directors can, quite frankly, be extremely worrying because they seriously struggle."

Annan Athletic was re-structured in 2017 when it became 100% fan-owned.

The club operates as a Community Benefit Society and draws from a range of income sources including share issues, annual memberships and clubhouse returns.

Mr Brown said that the cash generated from their upcoming Scottish Cup tie against Rangers at Ibrox would provide a good start to the second half of the season.

"But first and foremost the fourth round clash is about Annan going and playing against a big team and for fans to enjoy themselves," he said.

All fourth round ties will be played over the weekend of 17 and 18 January.