The FA and EFL have confirmed the allocation of this season’s Emirates FA Cup Divisional Progress Prize fund, with Rovers claiming half of the £250,000 progress prize fund following their run to the fifth-round for the first time in 63 years.
Rovers, who lost out in a battling performance against Premier League side Crystal Palace last month, split the prize fund with fellow Sky Bet League One side AFC Wimbledon who also reached the fifth round, with the Dons losing out to Millwall at Kingsmeadow.
Millwall themselves would go on to earn a split of the Championship's prize fund, as they and Swansea City both reached the quarter-finals of this season's competition, whilst Newport County claimed the League Two prize, losing out to Premier League champions Manchester City in round five.
The funds were confirmed by The FA’s Professional Game Board on Wednesday following the elimination of the final two EFL clubs in the quarter-finals. The £750,00 total has been made partly available from the proceeds of The FA’s new international broadcasting agreements. In addition to the Divisional Progress Prize, this season’s competition’s prize fund has doubled to £30.2m.
Andy Ambler, The FA’s director of professional game relations said: “EFL clubs have provided some magnificent moments in this season’s competition and we are delighted to provide five clubs who excelled and progressed the furthest from their divisions with this financial reward.
"We hope that this Divisional Progress Prize, alongside the other gains the competition has provided them will be a welcome financial boost for the clubs.”
EFL chief executive, Shaun Harvey, added: “The EFL has worked closely with The FA and the Premier League to develop the Divisional Prize Fund to ensure Clubs from all three EFL divisions had a further incentive to progress in the FA Cup alongside a payment for supporting the competition sponsor, Emirates.
“The initiative provided EFL Clubs a £250,000 prize fund for each Division to provide a further financial boost for those Clubs that progressed further in the competition. I’m delighted for the five EFL Clubs who will be rewarded for their success in the competition this season.”