Sutton United are still seeing the benefits of their cup tie against Arsenal, eight months later.

Last season Sutton United were one of two non-league teams who made it far enough in the cup to face the Gunners. The game was a fantastic day out for the fans, and a good bit of promotion of the club in the local area, but in the end, it’s the financial benefit that left the longest-lasting impression.

The Mirror report that Sutton received £710,000 from their cup run, in terms of prize money, TV money and commercial fees. They capitalised on the publicity with new sponsorship deals, increased ticket sales for the rest of their matches and reinvesting the money earned in their ground.

Chairman Bruce Elliott told Mirror Football: “The money has 99 per cent gone back into the ground and the facilities. We don’t budget for a cup run. We never have and we never will, so our budget is never based on getting a run in the FA Cup or FA Trophy.

“So from that point of view, we are delighted that we have been able to invest it back into the facilities and make it a better place for the spectators to come and enjoy watching their football.”

Elliott then talked about the continued relationship Sutton have with Arsenal, saying: “They enjoyed their time with us and we have stayed in contact with them ever since.

“There is an ongoing dialogue which is obviously nice for us to have as a club playing at this level and I would like to think that would continue. Who knows what may come out of it at some point in time.”

The Gunners invested £50,000 in Sutton to help them build some new classrooms, and from the sounds of it have made themselves available for their one-time opponents ever since.

Considering the gulf that’s opened up between the top English clubs and the rest, in terms of the massive financial gap, it’s good to hear that Arsenal are willing to help out the smaller clubs.

The Gunners received all that prize money, TV money and commercial income too (and more considering they won the competition). But to a Premier League giant that’s pocket money. No harm in sharing the wealth a bit with clubs where it can really make a difference.