Plymouth Parkway set for biggest night yet as FA Cup adventure gathers pace

Plymouth Parkway take to the national stage tonight (Monday, November 9) as they host Berkhamsted in the first round proper of the Emirates FA Cup, with a potentially life-changing financial reward at stake for the Devon club.

The Southern Premier Division South side will play their first-ever match broadcast live on television at Bolitho Park, with kick-off at 7.30pm and the game being shown on TNT Sports.

Having battled through four qualifying rounds to reach this stage, Parkway have already secured a significant sum in prize money.

But tonight's match could take their financial rewards to another level.

The Moorlander understands Parkway have collected over £18,000 in FA Cup prize money so far during their run to the first round proper.

The FA's 2026/27 prize structure means tonight's result alone will add either £47,750 for a victory or £15,800 if they are knocked out.

Progression would also guarantee at least £21,200 in prize money from the second round, even if Parkway were subsequently eliminated.

Based on the figures understood by The Moorlander, that would leave Parkway with between £34,175 and £87,325 in cumulative FA Cup prize money, depending on tonight's result and subsequent progress.

A season-defining payday

There is also the television money to consider.

Both Parkway and Berkhamsted are receiving a £50,000 broadcast fee for tonight's live appearance on TNT Sports, regardless of the result.

The clubs will also share the net gate receipts equally after essential stadium hosting costs have been deducted.

Based on a projected sell-out, Parkway's share could be worth around £11,500.

Taken together, the figures suggest Parkway could bring in approximately £95,675 from prize money, television fees and their estimated share of the gate receipts if they lose tonight.

Should they win and subsequently receive the second-round losing payment, that figure could rise to around £148,825.

These estimates do not include the additional income from food, drink and merchandise sales on the night.

The club has recently attracted new sponsors, and is also preparing for further investment, making the national attention particularly valuable at this stage of its development.

History in the making

Parkway have not been handed an easy passage to the first round.

Their FA Cup campaign began with a 3-1 away victory over Gosport Borough in the first qualifying round on September 5.

They followed that with a 2-0 win at Frome Town before producing one of the standout moments of their run against Horsham.

Trailing in the third qualifying round, Parkway fought back with late goals from captain Rio Garside and Reece Thomson to secure a 2-1 victory.

They then booked their place in the first round proper with a 2-0 home win against Chertsey Town on October 17.

Tonight's opponents, Berkhamsted, will provide another test, with the two clubs familiar with one another through the Southern Premier Division South.

Parkway go into the fixture fourth in the league table, with nine wins from 15 matches and 29 points.

The Comrades sit 12th, having collected 18 points from 14 games.

The league positions may suggest Parkway as the favourites, but a cup tie under the lights, with a national television audience watching, will no doubt bring its own pressures.

Familiar faces across the moor

There is also a strong local connection for non-league football fans across West Devon and Dartmoor, with several members of Parkway's squad having previously represented Tavistock AFC.

Former Lambs captain Ed Harrison and long-serving goalkeeper Aaron Dearing both spent several years with Tavi during the club's recent Southern League campaigns.

Parkway youngsters Ethan Wright, Henry Donovan and Jack Matthews have also previously featured for the Lambs as they progressed through their playing careers.

There is another familiar name for supporters further east, too.

Eighteen-year-old winger Jack Brimming joined Parkway from Bovey Tracey ahead of the current season, having been part of the side which won the South West Peninsula League East title and the Devon County Cup.

A night to enjoy, but “a game to win”

Parkway manager Karl Curtis has acknowledged the importance of the occasion, while making clear that his side cannot lose sight of what is at stake on the pitch.

Speaking to the club's media, he said: "Let's now as a club, put the league to the side for a week, let's enjoy it as we have earned the right."

However, he was equally aware of the task ahead, adding: "We have got a game to win."

For Parkway, the opportunity is about more than simply reaching the next round.

Their first live television appearance gives the club a chance to showcase itself to a much wider audience, while a victory would bring another substantial financial boost and keep the possibility of a lucrative third-round draw alive.

With a significant financial reward already guaranteed, a sizeable crowd expected at Bolitho Park and a place in the second round up for grabs, it promises to be a landmark evening for the Devon club.