AN appearance in the FA Cup first round could help Witton Albion attract the attention of sports fans in the town, according to their chairman.

That is one of the incentives for the Northwich club to prevail against Solihull Moors at Wincham Park this afternoon.

“We can put our name on the map,” said John Salmon.

“And that enthuses not only our own supporters but also people who perhaps haven’t had a previous connection with us.

“That applies to my other half; she was glued to the radio listening to the draw on the radio last week.

“She thought it was exciting, and it is.”

READ: Witton v Solihull: FA Cup match preview

Albion haven’t reached the competition proper since 1995.

In fact, only once since then have they made it this far – to the fourth qualifying round – when they lost at home to Barrow seven years ago.

With average crowds, so far at least, smaller this time around than at the same stage last season Salmon told the Guardian that a big FA Cup match takes on even more importance.

Indeed Witton's sequence of three victories this term, including a 2-1 win at FC United of Manchester a fortnight ago, has so far earned for the club £30,000 in prize money alone.

A further £25,000 is the reward for a victory this weekend.

Salmon said: “That’s income we haven’t budgeted for, and it doesn’t half come in handy!

“It’s also come in at just the right time while we work ways to bring in funds from other sources, such as the ground-share or the membership scheme for supporters.

“The management team have a smaller budget this season than they did last year, and a run like this helps us to maintain it for them in the short-term."

READ: Beating Solihull would be our finest hour, says Martindale

He believes intangibles are important too.

For Witton, playing in the third tier of non-league football, to be one victory away from the FA Cup first round has given everybody at the club a lift.

He added: “There’s a buzz and glamour to this competition that you simply don’t get with others.

"That's why it's a priority for us, and why lots of people will do their best to be down there to cheer us on.

"I'm confident we have a chance too if everybody is fit and available.

“I’d back our starting XI to be a match for anybody, including this weekend.”