OXFORD City’s historic Emirates FA Cup run has come at the perfect time – but their financial woes are far from over.

The Vanarama National League South side’s exploits in securing a second round tie at Notts County have provided a welcome boost following a turbulent 18 months.

Former director Thomas Guerriero was jailed for more than 12 years in May 2016 for a $6.6m investment fraud in America, while managing director Colin Taylor died two months later.

City were left with a £1.5million debt, forcing big changes to keep the club afloat.

Local businessman Paul Lyon was asked to come aboard and, with director of football Justin Merritt, the duo have reduced arrears by 40 per cent to £900,000 in the space of 17 months.

The £72,000 windfall for Saturday’s tie being televised live on BT Sport is another huge financial boost, coming on top of the £42,500 City have earned from making the second round.

But Lyon knows there is still a long road ahead if City are to clear their debts.

“Any money we get from TV sounds great, but it does not go very far,” he said.

“We’ve spoken to various partners about investment, but it’s not easy to find a lot of people who can put money in a community club.

“The FA Cup money has bought us six months and we can now plan how we’re going to fund next season – we’re not boxed into a corner.

“The money will be used to continue to pay the creditors.”

The formation of a partnership with Oxford United last summer to run their Court Place Farm facility with it’s new 3G pitch has helped provide an additional revenue stream.

But unbudgeted incomes, such as their FA Cup run, is crucial for their long-term security.

And being one match away from a potential money-spinning clash against a Premier League opponent has left everyone at the club dreaming.

A further £27,000 is the prize for the winners at Meadow Lane on Saturday and Lyon believes the answer to their problems may lie in a possible third-round tie at a top-flight club.

He said: “If we beat Notts County, we could draw a Premier League team away.

“The television money is about £140,000 and you have gate money on top of that.

“That would be the dream. It makes Saturday’s game the biggest in the club’s history because if we win, it could solve all of our problems.”