Director Geoff Dunford believes the money Bristol Rovers will make from the FA Cup is reward for the way they battled through the lean years.Rovers, the lowest ranked side remaining in the cup, host Championship promotion contenders West Brom in a televised sixth-round tie on Sunday.

It is the first time in 50 years - and only the second time in their history - that the Pirates have reached that stage of the competition.

With the possibility of a Wembley appearance in the semi-finals on the horizon, it is a far cry from the position Rovers found themselves in seven years ago.

Relegated from League One in 2001, the cash-strapped club almost fell out of the Football League the following season when they finished second bottom of League Two.

"It is a dramatic turnaround in fortunes if you look at the bad times we have had in the quite recent past," said Dunford.

"But we deserve this because we have worked hard since we suffered relegation and paid our way.

"You only have to look at the amount of clubs who have gone into administration because they haven't managed their affairs properly. We chose to do that and we have kept hold of the freehold of our stadium. It has paid off for us."

Rovers, whose fifth-round defeat of Southampton was also televised, are set to receive another £275,000 in broadcasting fees when they host the Baggies.

Another sell-out crowd at the Memorial Stadium is also guaranteed, all money that would not have been budgeted for at the beginning of the season

Dunford added: "Whatever happens in the quarter-finals, this will push our income from the FA Cup this season up to £1million.

"There is another £300,000 if we go through, but we haven't even looked to see what the TV rights would be worth if we did reach the semi-finals.

"There is no point going any further with it until we have that problem, although it would be a nice one to have."

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