TERRIFIC TIES OUT OF THE VELVET BAG

Friday was an exciting day because non-league clubs all over the country were waiting with apprehension for the announcement of the qualifying draws for the FA Cup, FA Trophy, FA Vase and FA Youth Cup; all were happening on the same day at around lunchtime. By the afternoon Twitter was buzzing; some fans celebrating their fantastic tie against another non-league club in their region, some raising their eyebrows having been pitched against local rivals again and then there are the clubs that didn't make the draw because the FA said so! Needless to say there are many clubs exempt from the early rounds for various reasons, mainly because they sit too high up the pyramid.

The following link will take you to a great website that celebrates the FA Cup:
https://facupfactfile.wordpress.com/  there are some wonderful facts in here.

The "Extra" Preliminary Round takes place on August 6th: there are 184 ties which will provide 92 winners. Penistone Church host Cheadle Town, Bodmin Town plays Cheddar. Bemerton Heath Harlequins are at home to Keynsham Town (Horace Batchelor may ring a bell with some older readers).
New Mills fresh from the TV series "Rovers" will not be able to show off their film set club house and pitch because they are away at Congleton Town. The first tie out of the famous velvet bag was Ashington (the Colliers are managed by Steve Harmison) v Nelson, a classic cross Pennine rivalry.
The winners go on to be part of a further 160 ties in the FA Cup Preliminary Round!

By the time the teams get to the quarter-final round, there will be no replays just for that round, to help ease congestion. Games will go to the "bitter end" on the day.

The Trophy kicks off on October 8th. The oldest club, Sheffield, travel to Ramsbottom United, Winchester City face Petersfield at home and Taunton Town's tie transpires that they take on Larkhall Athletic, who ever they are. Plenty of Ts there then.
There are 64 qualifying ties before the competition gets going properly. The next round described as First Round Qualifying sets up another 72 ties when another bunch join in.

And in the Vase there are 194 ties in First Round Qualifying. Pinxton from Derbyshire play Harrowby United (from Grantham), Ampthill Town host Northampton Sileby Rangers, Cowes supply the "raw material" for Cadbury Heath from Bristol (get it?) and finally Stewarts and Lloyds Corby (the Foundrymen) take on Wellingborough Whitworths (the Flourmen who signed Neil Ruddock in 2014!).  All this happens on September 10th, so I might be calling into yours for a bevvy before I take you to a proper non-league fixture.
Here's the lot:
http://www.thefa.com/news/competitions/2016/jul/fa-cup-trophy-vase-youth-cup-entries-exemptions-early-rounds-080716