BOLTON Wanderers could bank almost £1 million, if they knock Arsenal out of the FA Cup on Saturday lunchtime (March 12, KO 12.15pm).

Contrary to some reports, the popularity of the oldest and most famous club knockout competition in the world is growing, with the Football Association raking in millions.

With attendances up and television viewing figures sky high, Soho Square chiefs are claiming the Cup has regained much of the magic it lost at the end of the 1990s and the clubs are cashing in.

The Wanderers-Arsenal sixth round tie will be played on Saturday, March 12 (ko 12.15), and has been selected for live broadcasting, which is worth £265,000. Victory and a place in the semi-finals will guarantee them £300,000 in prize money and another live TV payout.

The selection of the Southampton-Manchester United tie for the Saturday teatime slot also offers the prospect of another bumper television audience.

It is the third consecutive round United have been involved in a weekend fixture and the March 12 encounter comes just three weeks after violence erupted during the Red Devils fifth-round win over Everton at Goodison Park.

In the wake of the trouble that flared inside and outside the stadium, which included United goalkeeper Roy Carroll being struck by a coin thrown by an Everton fan, FA chief executive Brian Barwick vowed to review the impact of teatime kick-offs on crowd behaviour.

But, after extensive discussions between the FA, Hampshire Police, the BBC and officials from both clubs, it has been decided to give the green light to another teatime game, mainly because there has never been any previous trouble between the two sets of supporters.

While the BBC have shoehorned the game into a packed weekend that will see them screen two more live sixth-round ties, plus three Six Nations fixtures, the FA are hoping for more positive news on the ratings front after it was revealed Arsenals replay win over Sheffield United on Tuesday night attracted a peak audience of seven million.

The huge viewing figure came despite the match been screened on BBC2 and compares favourably with any other club competition, including the Champions League.

Various strategies have been adopted in an effort to increase the FA Cups popularity, including the current trend of ensuring there are no Premiership matches on the weekends that coincide with rounds three to six.

And although debate continues over exactly when next season's final will be staged following Sven-Goran Erikssons demand for a four-week break before England begin their World Cup campaign, FA supremo Barwick is convinced the measures currently in place are lifting the competition back to its previous heights.

"This season has shown that the FA Cup still occupies a unique place in English football culture," Barwick said.

"The latest viewing figures reflect the massive passion and enthusiasm of the public for the competition.

"We have been blessed with a vintage competition so far, and with some exciting sixth-round encounters ahead, the drama looks set to continue."

Although the Wanderers-Fulham tie attracted an attendance of just 16,000, the FA have confirmed the eight fifth-round ties, plus the four replays have produced the best attendance average for six seasons.

This follows on from third-round weekend gates producing their highest average for 24 years and fourth-round attendances reaching their best figures for 27 years.