Birmingham City could secure another cash injection as part of £3m pot
Birmingham City head west to take on Swindon Town in the last 16 of the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday, knowing that they could bank another useful sum of money should they advance into the quarter finals.
Blues are competing in the Trophy for the first time since they won the competition 30 years ago, under Barry Fry, when Paul Tait headed home a dramatic golden goal winner at Wembley against Carlisle United. Needless to say Blues, who top League One and have games in hand on their rivals, are favourites to claim this piece of silverware again.
Chris Davies' side eased through the group stages; having lost on penalties to League Two's runaway leaders Walsall but having still claimed a point after drawing in 90 minutes, they then took apart Shrewsbury Town and Fulham under 21s - sticking as many as seven goals past the latter. Blues finished second in their group behind Walsall.
READ MORE: Aston Villa handed PSR decision as Premier League statement issued
READ MORE: Harris or Dykes? Our writers disagree on Birmingham City XI for Swindon
The draw for the last 32 led them to Exeter City, who they beat in the league and in the Trophy at St James' Park. Now, they head to League Two Swindon, who are under the management of former Blackpool and Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway but are only five points above the relegation zone having won just five of their 26 league games.
Blues can bank another £40,000 with progression on Tuesday night and it'll take their earnings in this competition past six figures for the campaign, with plenty more money on offer for further advancements into the later stages. The whole pot made available by sponsors Vertu exceeds £3m.
Vertu Trophy fixtures
14 January
Cheltenham Town v Colchester United
Chesterfield v Rotherham United
Lincoln City v Bolton Wanderers
Aston Villa U21 v Bradford City
Swindon Town v Birmingham City
Peterborough United v Walsall
21 January
Leyton Orient v Stevenage
4 February
Port Vale v Wrexham
The rounds 32 and 16 remain regionalised, as do the quarter finals; Blues can play any side remaining in the competition from either the north or south sides of the Trophy from the semi-finals onwards. There is no extra time until the final, if required, with matches otherwise settled with immediate penalties after 90 minutes.
How the prize money works
Blues earned £10,000 for each of their wins over Shrewsbury and Fulham under 21s and another £5,000 more for their draw against Walsall. Each side is given £20,000 for participating in the competition, and then you're awarded £10,000 for each victory and £5,000 for each draw in the group stage.
Sides who reach the last 32 and progress earn £20,000 more - as Blues did - and then £40,000 if they win their last 16 tie (for Blues, at Swindon). As much as £50,000 is up for grabs for the victors of the quarter finals and then you receive £100,000 if you win the final at Wembley - £50,000 more is sent to the runner up of the competition. If they were to win the thing from here, Blues will have accumulated up to £255,000 in prize money.
