Leiston v Fleetwood Town
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
First Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 8 November 2008
Victory Road
Winning clubs will receive £20,000 from The FAAlfreton Town v Bury Town
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
First Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 8 November 2008
The Impact Arena
Winning clubs will receive £20,000 from The FAFollowing their comfortable 4-1 victory over Basingstoke Town in The FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifying, Bury Town will compete in the First Round Proper for the first time since 1968, whilst another Suffolk-based club, Leiston, will feature in this stage of the competition for the first time in the club's history.This is an outstanding achievement by both clubs, particularly considering the quality of opponent they defeated in the previous round. Basingstoke Town ply their trade in the Conference South, whilst Leiston's victims, Lewes, are one league above that in the Conference Premier.
Both East Anglian clubs are now preparing to take on sides from the Conference North in the First Round Proper as Leiston host Fleetwood Town and Bury travel to Alfreton Town. Suffolk FA Chief Executive, Martin Head, wishes both clubs well:
"I think it's only right that I should pay tribute to these two Suffolk clubs," he said.
"We feel privileged to have two non-League clubs from Suffolk reaching this stage of such a prestigious competition and it brings great credit to the clubs and the county itself.
"I am sure both Fleetwood and Alfreton will be formidable opponents, but there is no doubt the two Suffolk clubs are in with a chance of providing another upset.
"Whilst the players do the job on the pitch, club Chairman Russell Ward at Bury Town and Andy Crisp at Leiston, along with their volunteers working behind the scenes, will make sure the day is a memorable one.
"As 8 November approaches, the Suffolk FA would like to encourage everyone in the county to get behind Leiston and Bury Town by showing their support in the next round."
Leiston will be joined by four other clubs in making their First Round Proper debut, as Evesham United, Brackley Town and Curzon Ashton are also newcomers, whilst AFC Telford United will line up against Southend United at this stage for the first time since becoming a new club in 2004.