It's only three months since Chelsea beat Portsmouth at Wembley, but already the 139th edition of the FA Cup is getting underway this weekend. ITV.com asked Damon and Simon from The Real FA Cup blog to give a lowdown on the pick of the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round games.
Mole Valley SCR v Chertsey Town. Friday 13th August - 7.45pm
Surrey based Mole Valley SCR have existed only as long as Rio Ferdinand. Founded by current Chairman Alan Salmon and managed by his son Darren, the 'Commoners' are a genuine family club. Promoted last year to the Combined Counties Premier Division for the first time, this tie is also their first ever in the FA Cup. Having won their first two league games 4-1, press officer Gary Brigden says they've already "exceeded expectations" and they go into this tie with tails up.
"They play good attacking football, so fans should have an enjoyable time watching", says Gary. Eight goals in two games suggests he's not fibbing. Watch out for Matt Kilton and Jay Holden. Known among some fellow CC league clubs as 'Chertski', the relatively flush Chertsey will probably be favourites but last year's FA Vase quarter finalists can't take anything for granted.
Arundel v Hailsham Town - Saturday 14th August - 3pm
With its river, annual bath tub race, Norman castle and picturesque cricket ground, you'll struggle to find a prettier place to watch football than Arundel. Along with Hailsham they've been plugging away at the FA Cup for over 50 years to little national acclaim. Neither side has gone beyond the 3rd qualifying round but, relatively, that's the equivalent of Barnet getting to the 4th round, or Cardiff City getting to the final.
Runcorn Linnets v Maine Road - Saturday 14th August - 3pm
Founded by a group of Manchester City fans, Maine Road is a fat wallet, if not very many miles, away from the City Of Manchester Stadium's millions. Run as a trust since 2006, Runcorn's Linnets have a proud Cup history stretching back to before the war and in 1938-9 they beat Aldershot before losing 4-2 to First Division Preston. The last time Maine Road visited Runcorn in December 2009, it was a lively affair that included 3 goals and 4 sendings off.
Leeds Carnegie v Billingham Synthonia - 14th August - 3pm
Without the beautifully named Synthonia the world might not have heard of the goalscoring talent, managerial skills and brilliant quotes of Brian Clough. Cloughy turned out for the 'Synners' before his national service (remember that?) and before signing for Middlesboro' to become one of the most feared strikers in England. Synthonia have a good FA Cup pedigree, getting to the first round proper on a number of occasions, most recently losing just 1-0 away to Lincoln Cty in 1989.
One of several University teams plying their trade in the non-leagues, Carnegie consist of mostly 18-21 year olds and are managed by former Stoke and West Brom player Graham Potter. Leeds United are away on Sunday, Adam Clough is on the books at Billingham, maybe you'll see a new star emerge?
Greenwich Borough v South Park - Sunday 15th August - 3pm
Former home of Arsenal legend Ian Wright, Greenwich have the unenviable record of being disqualified from the FA Cup twice in the last ten years for fielding an ineligible player. Annoyingly for players and fans alike, they actually won both of them. South Park are another team who have never played in the FA Cup before, they'd never even played in the FA Vase until two years ago, despite having existed since 1897. ITV cameras will be at this game to start the '2010-11 Road To Wembley', get down there, get on the telly and find out who killed Kenny.
Saffron Walden Town v Mauritius Sports Association UK & Glossop North End v Wigan Robin Park - Both Saturday 14th August - 3pm
Of the other ties, Saffron Walden Town hold the distinction of being the first team at this stage to enter the Cup, in 1876. Unfortunately, they didn't show up. They found a map by 1880 but got hammered 7-0 in the first round by Cup winners Old Carthusians. 1909 Quarter Finalists Glossop North End might be the most successful of the Extra Preliminary Round teams but they also have the best pie in football. The 2010 Best Pie Winner, JW Mettrick & Sons, only sells pies at Glossop's Surrey Street Ground.
For more on the FA Cup visit the FA Website and check out Damon and Simon's The Real FA Cup for more early round coverage.
Photo courtesy of MVSCR
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/itvfootball