Chairman Terry Parris believes Lewes will be set up for several years to come thanks to their FA Cup run.

The Rooks have already made £46,000 from the qualifying stages of the competition and they could double their money thanks to tomorrow's showdown with Stoke City.

With other commercial spin-offs thrown in, including a £2,500 shirt sponsorship deal for the game with Master Tiles of Brighton, Lewes are enjoying their moment in the spotlight.

For a club that spent much of the Nineties scratching around for pennies just to stay afloat, it makes a pleasant change to be raking in the cash.

The best thing about it, though, is that Lewes have no plans to fritter the money away. Parris said: "At the end of the season everybody puts their hand in their pocket to make ends meet. This is exceptional for us this year and we will give it back to the club."

Rather than lining the pockets of players, as some clubs may choose to do, the Rooks are ploughing the money they have earned into the ground, with a new stand behind the goal at the clubhouse end being a priority.

Parris said: "We have got some serious projects which we addressed even before this cup run started.

"We need to reach a certain status to play Isthmian premier football, which is our ultimate aim. We knew to get the B grading we needed and then to get the A grading to play in the premier division there was a lot of money which needed to be spent on this ground.

"We knew a stand behind the goal was going to cost us a lot of money. We also need some outbuildings, some more turnstiles and we need to improve the existing stand and the existing clubhouse. You are talking a massive amount of money, six or seven figures.

"These plans were put in place before the cup run and we would have addressed them anyway. This money will contribute towards our plans and we are going to put it back into the club itself.

"We have been very sensible with finances with players. That is something we set out to do from day one. We have done that and we won't change that, even going into next year. It is all about making the club a very comfortable place to be for the players and supporters."

Eastbourne Borough, formerly known as Langney Sports, were the first club to buck the trend and concentrate on getting their ground right. Lewes are happy to follow that path.

Parris said: "It is all about raising the standards, which is what this FA money is about. In the next few years, people should look seriously at the clubs themselves, rather than paying players. Clubs really need to look at that because the funds are available.

"Langney Sports have been a credit to Sussex. Their facilities are nice, they are very nice people and they are doing things the right way.

"Every senior club who are doing well in Sussex at the moment should be looking at the likes of Langney and looking at what we are trying to achieve."

It is not just the money that will help the Rooks. The prestige of the cup run will also help promote the club.

Parris explained: "For the next five to ten years we will have national recognition because of our achievement this year.

"People will talk about Lewes versus Stoke, whatever the outcome, and relate to that. Every young lad over the next five years who comes to Lewes will live in the hope that he can achieve that."

Parris, who made almost 700 appearances for Lewes before going on to coach and manage the side, then become chairman, cannot wait for tomorrow's game.

He said: "To have spent 30 years at the club, this will certainly be my proudest moment. I am very proud to be chairman of the club and to be part of that is wonderful."

Tony Cella, son of first team coach Ralph, will lead out the Lewes team at the Britannia Stadium tomorrow. Tony, who celebrated his ninth birthday this week, has been chosen as mascot for the game.