Excitement Builds for the FA Cup First Round
The evening darkness, pumpkins adorning windows, and the distant sound of fireworks signify a thrilling time for many: the FA Cup first round is upon us.
Although it is statistically improbable that any of the 80 clubs participating this weekend will still be in contention when the action culminates at Wembley next April, the possibility remains.
No matter how the league season has begun, it's time to dream big.
This weekend features former champions clashing, long-standing local rivalries reigniting, eighth-tier underdogs aiming to make an impact against larger opponents, and a genuine sense of unpredictability.
Read on for a complete list of fixtures and five key storylines to follow in the FA Cup this weekend.
Will the Only Way Be Essex?
The lowest-ranked team still in the competition is Maldon & Tiptree from Essex, currently leading the eighth-tier Isthmian League Division One North.
The Jammers achieved their sixth FA Cup victory this season by defeating Flackwell Heath 1-0 in the final qualifying round—equivalent to the number of wins a Premier League team requires to claim the trophy, having entered the tournament in the extra preliminary round on August 1.
Former West Ham forward Freddie Sears scored the match's only goal, while ex-Charlton, Queens Park Rangers, and Ipswich striker Macauley Bonne also plays for this ambitious club, which is managed by Kevin Horlock, a former midfielder for Manchester City, Ipswich, and Northern Ireland.
The Jammers will make the trip to League One side Port Vale, who are five levels above them, on Sunday afternoon (15:00 GMT). They may take comfort in the fact that Vale is one of only two third-tier teams to have lost to an eighth-tier club in FA Cup history, having been defeated 1-0 by Chasetown in a replay in December 2007 after a 1-1 draw at Vale Park.
Seventh Heaven?
There are 32 non-league teams still in the tournament, including three from the seventh tier.
Isthmian League Premier Division team Chatham Town, making their first appearance at this stage of the competition in 97 years, will visit National League North side Buxton.
Also at 15:00 on Saturday, Chatham's divisional rivals St Albans City will travel to League One's Burton Albion, four tiers above them. Meanwhile, on Sunday (17:15 GMT), Northern Premier Division club Gainsborough Trinity, who upset Hartlepool in the last round, will aim for another surprise against League Two side Accrington Stanley.
At least one sixth-tier team will advance to round two, marking a historical moment as neither Macclesfield FC nor AFC Totton, who meet on Saturday afternoon, have progressed this far before.
Nine Clubs Seek to Rekindle Former Glories
Among the 80 teams in the first round, nine have previously lifted the FA Cup.
On Saturday (15:00 GMT), four-time winners Bolton will host 1922 champions Huddersfield, with the Wanderers having defeated the Terriers on their way to two of their previous victories in 1923 and 1929. Could 2026 be their year?
Cardiff, the 1927 winners, will face League One rivals Peterborough at the same time, while 1953 champions Blackpool host National League high-flyers Scunthorpe.
Wigan Athletic, the most recent winners in this year's first round, having triumphed in 2013, will welcome National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town, who eliminated Yeovil in the previous round and have reached this stage for just the third time in 105 attempts.
Bradford, the 1911 champions, will be on the road against League Two's Cheltenham, while AFC Wimbledon, the 1988 winners, will host National League outfit Gateshead at Plough Lane.
Barnsley, winners in 1912, will face Yorkshire rivals and 1955 semi-finalists York City of the National League, while Notts County will visit Brackley Town.
Tune in for 'Giant-Killing' Watch
The FA Cup first round begins on Friday evening (19:30 GMT) when National League side Forest Green Rovers, managed by Robbie Savage, travels to League One's Luton, now under the guidance of Jack Wilshere.
Saturday's early kick-off (12:00 GMT) features an all-Essex showdown, as National League South Chelmsford hosts Braintree, who are struggling in the division above.
Two matches will be broadcast live on BBC2 and the BBC Sport website, featuring National League teams hosting League Two clubs.
Brackley Town will face Notts County, the 1894 winners, on Saturday (17:30 GMT), while Eastleigh will host Walsall at 14:15 GMT on Sunday, shortly after National League North side South Shields welcomes League Two's Shrewsbury Town (12:00 GMT).
Another National League North team, Spennymoor Town, will host League Two's Barrow in a non-televised match on Saturday afternoon.
The final fixture of the round takes place on Monday night (19:30 GMT) as last year's fairy-tale team, National League club Tamworth, who pushed Tottenham to extra time last January, welcomes Leyton Orient, who were defeated in the League One play-off final in May.
Who Has the X-Factor?
FC Halifax of the National League will host League One's Exeter on Saturday (15:00 GMT).
The potential for a 'cupset' is always captivating, and trivia enthusiasts might find it interesting that in the 144 years of the FA Cup, this will be only the 46th match between teams with the letter 'X' in their name.
Oxford United, Wrexham, and perhaps even Crewe Alexandra could be contenders for round two, making this a possible start of a golden 'X' age.
For more intriguing statistics, check out FA Cup historian Phil Annets' FA Cup Factfile.