IT ALL KICKS OFF TUESDAY

https://facupfactfile.wordpress.com/mentions/facupfactfile/ 

It is that time of season when the FA Cup sets up multi features and facts. The work has been done in the above link, a wonderful source of facts and figures around the various FA Cup entrants. For an anorak like me, with time on my hand, its a blessing! (Well I think so!). 

The first tie is between Woodford Town FC and London Colney FC in the Extra Preliminary Round and then it all kicks off on Tuesday. Northwich Victoria play in their 140th year and the last time the FA Cup started as early as September 1st was in 1945-6 season when there were 4 "Extra Preliminary" ties.

It has been 30 days only between tne previous season's final and the beginning of the new season's cup competition-the shortest ever gap.

Tie 83 has Hashtag Utd whom you will know is the "youngest" club in the competition, having only been founded in 2016. They have appeared in previous blogs.

Local to me is Shelley Community Football Club who make their debut away against Wythenshawe Amateurs, both from Step 6. This might be the longest "syllabled tie. 

Tie 73 is affected by Covid where AFC Sudbury from the Isthmian League (Step 4) has a walk over with opponents Burton Park Wanderers (United Counties L Step 6) suffering from the "infection".

Tie 51 involved Loughborough University (united Counties) playing Carlton Town (Northern Prem).

The shortest syllables might be Cribbs (from the Western league) v Newent Town (from the Hellenic) and Daisy Hill v Colne, Quorn v Melton Town whilst Avro v Bootle gets close.

Most successful "minor" clubs in previous FA Cups at this stage are: 

Quarter-finals: Chatham Town (1888-9) reached this pinnacle but it was on;y Round 31 They met WBA and lost 1-10, having beaten Nottingham Forest in the previous round, before that South Shore (Blackpool?) Crusaders, Clapton, London Caledonians and the Old Wykehamists, in the "qualifying rounds". Northwich Victoria (1883-4) were founding members of the Second Division in 1892. They lost in the Q-f  to Blackburn Olympic 1-9. They previously had beaten Brentwood in the Round of 16 3-0, got a bye prior to that, beat Davenham 5-1 in R2 and The Druids 1-0 in R1

Round 4 Worcester City, Bishop Auckland, Harlow Town, 

Round 3 Southall, Ashington, Clapton (from the Essex Senior League) first entered the cup in 1879-80 and made the Third Round in 1925-6, one of four non-league clubs to achieve this. They lost to Swindon Town in R3 2-3 having beaten Ilford 1-0 in R2, Norwich City 3-1 in R1. During this year teams from the top two divisions were exempt from the cup until the Third Round. 

Clapton Orient (not the same club) made better progress that season reaching the last 8 that is Rd 6 being beaten by Mancheter City 1-6. City went on to beat Manchester Utd 3-0 in the semi and then lose the final to Bolton W 1-0

Desborough Town v Penrith both celebrate their 100th year of playing in the cup.