Wanderers set for FA Cup bow as early details are confirmed

Next season's FA Cup is set to get under way on September 1

The new football season is set to get under way for local clubs with the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup on Tuesday, September 1.

And that date will mark a moment of history for United Counties League Division One side Burton Park Wanderers who will play their first-ever FA Cup match having been accepted into the competition.

They will be joined in the extra preliminary round by Desborough Town, Rothwell Corinthians, Whitworth and Wellingborough Town.

Corby Town will start in the preliminary round on Saturday, September 12 with AFC Rushden & Diamonds exempt until the first qualifying round on Tuesday, September 22 while Kettering Town’s FA Cup campaign is set to kick-off their season on Saturday, October 3.

The third qualifying round will be on Tuesday, October 13 with the fourth qualifying round pencilled in for Saturday, October 24.

The draws for the extra preliminary and preliminary rounds will be released on Tuesday, August 18 and the Football Association have confirmed that there will be no replays in the qualifying competition next season as they look to ease the pressure on the football schedule due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

And, after two seasons of record levels of prize funds, next season’s has returned back in line with 2017/18 levels due to the financial impact of the pandemic.

The dates for the 2020/21 Buildbase FA Trophy and FA Vase have also been confirmed.

In the FA Trophy, Corby Town will start in the first qualifying round on Saturday, September 26.

The second qualifying round will be on Saturday, October 17 before AFC Rushden & Diamonds come into the competition in the third qualifying round on Saturday, October 31.

The first round proper will be on Saturday, November 14 and Kettering Town will enter in the second round proper on Saturday, December 5 with the third round proper also being squeeze in before Christmas on Saturday, December 19.

In the FA Vase, Desborough Town, Burton Park Wanderers, Raunds Town, Rothwell Corinthians, Irchester United, Rushden & Higham United and Whitworth will all start in the first qualifying round on Saturday, September 19 with the second qualifying round set for Saturday, October 10.

Wellingborough Town are exempt until the first round proper on Saturday, October 31.