Doesn't it seem but a few weeks ago that those two teams who I can't remember the names of contested the final that will be remembered as the one not won by Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester United?

That's because it was.

But despite this, the crazy bastards at the FA are still intent on setting the balls in motion early this year, after a record number of teams (762) had their entries accepted. The draws for the Extra Preliminary, Preliminary and First Round Qualifying are announced tomorrow.

As well as the FA Cup draw, the draws are also made for the early rounds of the Vase, the Trophy and the FA Youth Cup.

Proper football is back. Please fasten your safety harness, take small children by the hand, and Gentleman adopt the twelve o'clock safety position. The Giddyomoter has just been cranked up a notch.

Well we've got Nantwich Town in the FA Cup 1st Qualifying round, and Radcliffe Borough in the Trophy.

Full draw available here: http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/Postings/FACUp_0809.htm

And the names that caught my eye from the Extra Prelim round this season, are...

West Allotment Celtic (Those derby games against East Allotment Rangers must be real grudge matches)
Pilkington XXX (Ha ha! What a wheeze!)
VT (No. It's not enigmatic and it's not clever)
Odd Down
Team Northumbria (Get them! How grand do they sound?)
Heather St Johns (Tell me it's pronounced 'Singens'. And that it's one woman.)

Bishop's Cleeve is my favourite because it sounds like Profanisaurus stalwart "Wizard's Sleeve".

I would be quite happy for Shoreham to get through their Extra Preliminary Round matct, since it would mean a home match against Kingstonian.

Shoreham's nickname, for the record, is the homo-erotic yet slightly disgusting "The Musselmen", which must be one of the worst nicknames I've ever heard.

Hitchin will play Concorde Rangers or Kingsbury London Tigers or Eton Manor in the 1st qual. I recognise the latter as a fine old footie name but figured the other two must have been formed last week. But not the case apparently. Essex breeds football teams like mosquitos on a water barrel.

Kingsbury London Tigers are Kingsbury Town from Jubilee Line fame since they've been taken over by the London Tigers, who are a a Portuguese exile team.

Gangster Octopus wrote:

QUOTE:
Kingsbury London Tigers are Kingsbury Town from Jubilee Line fame since they've been taken over by the London Tigers, who are a a Portuguese exile team.

Which round do Conference teams enter the FA Cup and when do we enter the FA Trophy?

Que sera sera
we're going to Kingsbury
it's one stop from Wemberlee
but significantly more games

They should sing (maybe work on the last line).

King Mob wrote:

QUOTE:
And the names that caught my eye from the Extra Prelim round this season, are...

Team Northumbria

I saw them play Penrith a couple of seasons back, and mentioned it on oldtf. They're the Newcastle Polytechnic team.

QUOTE:

Which round do Conference teams enter the FA Cup and when do we enter the FA Trophy?

Conference (ahem, Blue Square Premier) teams enter the Cup at 4th Qualifying stage (last before the 1st round proper), and the Trophy at the 1st Round.

Oh, and the Setanta Shield at the 4th Round - so you can enjoy those trips to Vauxhall Motors and the like on the Saturday before Christmas!

It's still the Conference.

126 16 Aug 2008 15:00 Wembley v Royston Town

heh

QUOTE:
Bournemouth

Crikey - the penalties for going into administration are getting harsher - you get dumped into the Extree Preliminary Round.