320 teams will be in action this weekend as the preliminary round of this season's Emirates FA Cup is played out across the country.
With the extra preliminary round finally being settled on Thursday evening, 185 sides have already had their dreams ended for another year.
The victors are joined in the preliminary round by 135 clubs from the eighth tier of English football, all aiming to be in the hat for Monday's first round qualifying draw – as well as earning themselves £1,925 in prize money.
TheFA.com has picked out a couple of key ties to keep an eye on across the weekend:
Stamford will have to go some way to top last season’s Emirates FA Cup run, but they are doubly determined to go one better this season as they prepare to face Cambridge City.The Lincolnshire outfit reached the first round last season, with replays ensuring it took them a marathon ten games to get there.
The highlight was a 3-2 victory over former Football League side Wrexham in the fourth qualifying round, before losing 3-0 to Hartlepool United.
“We had a great run last year and it was fantastic for everyone at Stamford, the fans loved it, the club made around £65,000 and the boys had some great trips,” said manager Graham Drury.
“It was fantastic for the club. It was our first time in the first round proper, it was a memorable run and a new record in our 100-odd year history.”
Stamford striker Jack Jeys, who netted 19 goals in 13 matches last season, should return to the side after twisting his knee in pre-season and he will add firepower to Stamford’s attack.
Cambridge City are currently playing home matches at Westwood Road, home of St Ives Town, while they wait to move to a new stadium.
Friday’s hosts have Emirates FA Cup pedigree in their line-up in the form of defender Ian Miller, who captained Cambridge United when they took Manchester United to a fourth-round reply at Old Trafford in 2015.
And manager Robbie Nightingale is expecting a close contest with Stamford.
“We couldn’t have wished for a tougher one first up; a team at the same level in stature – the same level of club that we are – and are trying to achieve the same thing as what we’re trying to achieve for the season, which is promotion.”
“They had a very good cup run last season as well, so they’ll be looking to do very well and like ourselves, earn some extra money for their club.”
Familiar foes will lock horns when Glossop North End host Mossley in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round this Saturday, but Lilywhites joint-manager Peter Band insists there will be no old scores to settle.
Glossop joint-manager Steve Halford enjoyed a year-and-a-half stint as Mossley boss between 2012 and 2013, winning 35 of 68 games in charge after making 58 Lilywhites appearances and scoring four goals.
Band was his assistant during his time at the helm, but after taking up the reins four years ago alongside Lloyd Morrison, he is playing down the significance of their reunion.
“They’ve got quite a few lads who were at Mossley, so it’s more about Mossley vs Glossop than me versus Steve,” said Band.
“It’s just another game – a derby game against Glossop. I’m sure we’ll have a bit of banter on the sidelines and then a pint after the game like we used to when we used to kick ten lumps out of each other!
“He blames me for breaking his nose once, although I can’t remember doing it.
“Last year with Salford and Lincoln getting so far, it’s clear the FA Cup still means as much to football clubs at our level – the dream is getting far enough to get a big club at home.
“I used to play with Craig Robinson, who scored the winner against Exeter a couple of years ago for Warrington, and it was surreal seeing him on Match of the Day.”
Both sides have started their Evo-Stik Premier Division North seasons positively; Glossop won both of their opening matches, while Mossley have taken four points.
And Halford isn’t underestimating the importance of a good start to the campaign ahead of Saturday’s derby.
“Momentum is a big thing in football, like a lot of people say,” he said.
“The league is the bread and butter, but we’d love to get to the first round of The FA Cup. There’s always one team every year, so why can’t it be us?”
An old rivalry will be renewed on Sunday when managers Tony Russell and Micky Collins do battle, as Cray Wanderers host Sevenoaks Town in the FA Cup preliminary round.
The pair were locked in an intense Kent League title fight four years ago, with Collins’ Erith & Belvedere clinching top spot by just two points from Russell’s VCD Athletic.
But Cray boss Russell will be hoping the outcome is different on Sunday, and his side enter as heavy favourites courtesy of their higher-league status.
Isthmian League Division One South side Cray have drawn their first two games of this season and Collins is desperate to get off the mark this weekend – and get one over on his old foe.
“I went to VCD midway through that season and we came like a train at them, but Mick just got Erith over the line,” Russell of that title battle.
“We went the last 19 games unbeaten and just missed out but it was a good battle with Erith and caught everyone’s attention. I have not really seen him since then.
“It will be a really competitive game and not one we can take lightly that is for sure. To be honest my mindset is always we are favourites in every game we play in, I have never gone into a game and thought we were underdogs no matter who we face.
“If we don’t, we know Sevenoaks have got quality and if we don’t put teams away then you come away frustrated.”
Southern Counties East League side Sevenoaks have fond memories of the FA Cup after reaching the second qualifying round last season, and boss Collins is hoping to repeat that this year.
“It is the greatest competition in the world and everyone grows up wants to play in it,” he said.
“It will help get the club out there, last season our run really caught the imagination of the local community and people came down to watch.
“If we can do that again this year, then it will be massive.”
