There will be 21 clubs playing in The Emirates FA Cup for the first time this season

Friday 07 Jul 2017
The Emirates FA Cup kicks-off again on Saturday 5 August with the extra preliminary round

The first draw of The Emirates FA Cup was made this week, with the 2017-18 competition set to kick-off in the extra preliminary round in early August.

A total of 737 clubs have entered this season’s Cup, with 370 of those starting their campaign on Saturday 5 August when 185 extra preliminary round ties will be played across the country.

And there will be 21 clubs making their FA Cup debuts this term, with all of them entering the competition at its earliest stage.

The Emirates FA Cup
  • Extra preliminary round
  • 3pm, Saturday 5 August 2017
  • Winning clubs receive £1500

We take a look at each of the new clubs involved in this season’s Cup and where they will be making their bow.

AC London FC – Academic Club London were formed in 2012 and are based in Tadworth, Surrey. They will take on Crawley Down Gatwick at home.

Bearsted FC - Based just outside Maidstone in Kent and originally formed way back in 1895, Bearsted play in the Southern Counties East League premier and will make their FA Cup bow away to Eastbourne Town.

Biggleswade FC – A first Emirates FA Cup appearance in only the second season for the Bedfordshire outfit, who were formed in May 2016 by members of the former Biggleswade Town FC U18s side. They will host Wisbech Town.

Birstall United FC – Founded in 1961, this is the first Emirates FA Cup adventure for the Leicestershire club who play in the East Midlands Counties League. They will face South Normanton Athletic in their Cup debut.

Brackley Town Saints FC - Formed from the development squad of Brackley Town FC, they now enter this season's Cup for the first time in their own right, and will play fellow newcomers Chipping Sodbury Town.

City of Liverpool FC – Formed in 2015, the Purps become the latest team from Merseyside to enter the Emirates FA Cup this season. The North West Counties side will travel to Padiham, near Burnley, for their first game.

Charnock Richard FC – A familiar name to anyone who has travelled on the M6 in Lancashire, the Chorley-based club were originally formed in 1933 and are now preparing for their Cup bow, against Penistone Church at home.

Chipping Sodbury Town FC - Founded in 1885 and based in Gloucestershire, the  Members of the Western League Premier Division, the Sods will take on Brackley Town Saints in their first ever FA Cup tie.

Eversley & California FC – Formed in 2012 when Eversley FC from Hampshire and California FC from Berkshire merged. Their first game in the Cup comes on the road against Amesbury Town.

Framlingham Town FC – The Castlemen get their first Emirates FA Cup experience this term, but will be one of the competition’s oldest clubs having been formed in 1877. The Eastern Counties League side will play Wadham Lodge at home in the extra preliminary round.

Litherland Remyca FC – The Merseyside club were initially formed in 1959 as St. Thomas before their current moniker was adopted in 2013. They will play a local derby with AFC Liverpool on their Cup debut.

Little Common FC - Based in Bexhill, East Sussex and competitors in the Southern Combination Division One, they will take on Eastbourne United at home.

Kimberley MW FC - The Nottinghamshire outfit’s full name represents Miners Welfare, after the club was formed in 1926. After playing in the FA Vase last year, this is their first tilt in the Cup. They will play Blaby & Whetstone Athletic at home.

Rusthall FC – The Kentish club play their football in the Southern Counties East League and are based in Royal Tunbridge Wells. They will play CB Hounslow United at the Jockey Stadium.

Stockton Town FC – The Teesside club start their Emirates FA Cup journey with a short trip to Guisborough Town, after previously entering the FA Vase for the first time last season.

Wadham Lodge FC - Formed in 2008, the Wad Army are based in Walthamstow and play their games in the Esses Senior League. This is their first tilt at the FA Cup and they will take on fellow debutants Framlingham Town. 

West Bridgford FC – Based on the outskirts of Nottingham and after winning the East Midlands Counties League and entering the FA Vase last term, they now tackle the world’s original cup competition with a trip to Clipstone.

West Essex FC - The Essex Senior League outfit were originally based in Highams Park and were formed in 1989, but now play their games at the home of Barking FC in Dagenham. They tackle Sawbridgeworth Town away in the extra preliminary round.

Whitchurch Alport FC – The Shropshire club were first formed in 1946 and boast former Northern Ireland striker Jimmy Quinn among their former players. They will play Walsall Wood away in their Emirates FA Cup debut.

Widnes FC – A home tie against Handsworth Parramore awaits the North West Counties League club, who were formed in 2003 and make their FA Cup bow in 2017-18.

Woodley United FC - Tuffley Rovers will be the opponents for this FA Charter Standard community club, who are based in Berkshire.

By FA Staff