The Shrimpers, despite their promotion to Coca-Cola League One, still enter the world’s most prestigious and historical domestic cup competition at the first round stage, where they will be joined by the other 47 League One and Two sides, as well as 33 of the country’s lucky non-leaguers. Last season, Blues lost 3-0 to Luton Town at Roots Hall in a televised first round clash.
674 entrants will be in this year’s FA Cup, a number of whom will not even reach the First Qualifying Round. The First Pre-Qualifying Round takes place on Saturday 20th August 2005, just two weeks after the Football League calendar gets underway. The Third Round, when the 44 highest-ranked sides in England enter the competition, will be on the weekend of Saturday 7th January 2006.
A number of Essex clubs have been handed byes to the Preliminary Round. They include Aveley, Barking & East Ham United, Great Wakering Rovers, Harlow Town, Ilford and Wivenhoe Town. AFC Hornchurch, Brentwood Town, Concord Rangers, Eton Manor, Hullbridge Sports, London APSA, Romford, Saffron Walden Town, Southend Manor and Stansted all enter at the opening stage.
Dates
Extra Preliminary Round: 20 August 2005
Preliminary Round: 27 August 2005
First Qualifying Round: 10 September 2005
Second Qualifying Round: 24 September 2005
Third Qualifying Round: 8 October 2005
Fourth Qualifying Round: 22 October 2005
First Round Proper: 5 November 2005
Second Round Proper: 3 December 2005
Third Round Proper: 7 January 2006
Fourth Round Proper: 28 January 2006
Fifth Round Proper: 18 February 2006
Sixth Round Proper: 20, 21, 22, 23 March 2006
Semi-Finals: 22 April 2006
Final: 13 May 2006
The full Football League fixture list is released next Thursday, and although we at TLG are not permitted by ridiculous and dictatorial laws to release full details, we will of course bring you the key dates for your diary as soon as we have them.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com