In addition, it has been confirmed that next year's FA Community Shield in partnership with McDonald's will take place on Sunday, 8th August 2004. The Premiership season will begin on Saturday 14th August.

"These are two of the real showcase occasions of the English football calendar," an FA spokesman told us.

"The FA Cup Final as the climax of the season is one of the traditions of our game."

Meanwhile this season's FA Cup Final will take place on Saturday 22 May 2004.