NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn wants to create magical memories in the FA Cup and, ultimately, fund a new training ground for the club with the proceeds.

County host League One Walsall in the first round this evening (kick-off 5.15pm) and, while League Two is the priority, Flynn is well aware of the financial benefits of progress in the world’s oldest cup competition.

The Exiles just missed out on a lucrative trip to Anfield to take on Premier League giants Liverpool in January and Flynn is determined to make it to the third round this season.

“You can make memories that last forever in the FA Cup,” said the manager.

“I think over the course of the season it’s a lot longer and drawn out and obviously at the end of it if you get promoted or you get to the play-offs it is something to look back on with pride.

“But the FA Cup has still got that magic for me and hopefully we can put on a show and get into the next round.”

And, with his business head on, the Exiles boss is focused on a potential financial boost for the club if they were to make it to the third round and draw one of the country’s biggest clubs – preferably away from home.

“It would be great to have the personal accolades and for the lads to go on an FA Cup run but the most important thing is the finances for the club,” he said.

“We’ll be doing our best to get into the second round and realistically the aim is to get the third round and draw one of the big boys away – Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Man City.

“That would be huge for the club and that is my realistic goal and ambitious aim.”

And Flynn knows exactly how he would spend a potential windfall if were up to him having watched on enviously as fellow League Two clubs Cambridge United and Stevenage have lived the cup dream in recent years.

Cambridge earned more than £1m thanks to a fourth round trip to Manchester United in 2015, while Stevenage went to Tottenham Hotspur in 2012.

“It near-enough doubled Cambridge’s budget for three years and it built Stevenage a state-of-the-art training ground so it can have that huge effect,” added Flynn.

“We want to have our own assets and if we get that good run and you make £1m to £2m then you can put it aside for plans for a stadium or a brand new training ground.

“If we did that we could get the first team, the academy and the community all on one site and it can be a real Newport County club – instead of the academy over at Lliswerry and the community in Maindee.

“It would be great to have us all together because our motto is One Club, One County. That’s what we need.”