CHRISTCHURCH boss Nigel Cripps has hit out at plans to slash FA Cup prize money for grassroots clubs.

In an unexpected move, the 92-strong FA Council will next week hear proposals to cut the purse available before the third round proper by £2m - a decision which could have dire consequences for non-League football.

Last term Wessex League Lymington & New Milton raked in an invaluable £16,500 for making the third qualifying round of the competition, while Brockenhurst made just £500 less from their Cup exploits a year earlier. Under the new proposals those clubs would have made just half those amounts.

The FA have tried to soften the blow to non-league clubs by increasing the trophy prize money from £225,000 to £631,000 and the Vase payments from £153,000 to £350,000.

But Cripps believes the FA should have thought more carefully before increasing the prize fund by so much two seasons ago.

Cripps said: "The FA have dangled the carrot, but they're now taking it away. Somebody should have thought about whether they would be able to afford the prize money earlier on.

"They should have started increasing the money by lower amounts because, whereas we were being offered a few hundred pounds before, suddenly it was a few thousand. They should have increased it gradually, maybe offering an extra £1,000 each year because there's nothing worse than having to take a pay cut."

Christchurch were on the receiving end of an £8,500 payout from the Cup in 2002 - money that kept the Hurn Bridge outfit running when home games were few and far between last term.

Cripps added: "Playing in the FA Cup should be incentive in itself, but the money is a big bonus.

"At Christchurch we don't budget for cup runs, but clubs that depend on getting on in the FA Cup could struggle."