This year more teams than ever will play a part in the country's biggest and most extravagant cup competition, with a total of 661 sides - an all-time record - battling for a place in The Final in May.

Of course for some it's not realistic in going all the way to The Final, but The FA Cup gives clubs the opportunity to have a moment of glory and play against some of England's biggest names.

This Saturday the dream begins for thousands of semi-professional players as they compete in the extra preliminary round of The FA Cup.

This stage was re-introduced in 2000/01 to deal with the high number of clubs wanting to take part in the competition - and will involve clubs below step 4 in the Football Pyramid.

The build up to the First Round proper of The Cup is a long one, with a preliminary round then followed by four qualifying rounds.

But the journey for smaller sides to get their pay day with a Football League side is not an impossible one - as proved by Brigg Town in 2001/02.

Brigg made it to the First Round in 2001 after beating then Football Conference side Boston in the final qualifying match.

The victory set up a dream tie against famous Merseyside club Tranmere Rovers - and although Brigg were beaten 4-1 on the day in front of a crowd of 7,500 - it was a day the players and staff will never forget.

Of the 73 matches to take place this weekend there are some which stand out from the crowd. Local rivals Concord Rangers take on Ilford in what promises to be a passionate encounter after the two sides competed with each other in last season's Essex Senior League.

Enfield Town are another side from the Essex Senior League and will take on Leverstock Green. Enfield are a growing side and are fancied to reach the later stages of qualifying - although Leverstock will give their all to cause an upset.

Porthleven are in the South Western League and face possible the longest journey of the round as they travel to Downton, while AFC Sudbury, who have reached the FA Vase Final for the past two seasons, will be looking to build on their success in The FA Cup with a tie against Haringey Borough.

Saturday will also be a massive day for Norton & Stockton Ancients who will be playing their clash with Yorkshire Amateur in front of the TV cameras.

The match has been brought forward to a 12.30 kick off so that BBC's Football Focus can feature the game and pick up on any highlights as the first game of the 2004/05 FA Cup gets underway.

So this weekend marks a huge day for thousands of players all dreaming of their moment of FA Cup glory.

And for some it may be the first step of a marvelous journey.

The FA Cup
Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday 28 August 2004 - 3.00pm

1

Hebburn Town

v

Silsden

2

Maine Road

v

Durham City

3

Skelmersdale United

v

Brodsworth MW

4

Newcastle Blue Star

v

Liversedge

5

Winterton Rangers

v

Goole

6

Curzon Ashton

v

Morpeth Town

7

Norton & Stockton Ancients

v

Yorkshire Amateur (12.30)

8

Tadcaster Albion

v

Fleetwood Town

9

Rossington Main

v

Washington Nissan

10

Nelson

v

Chester-le-Street Town

11

St Helens Town

v

Necastle Benfield Saint

12

Peterlee Newtown

v

Colne

13

Parkgate

v

Kennek Ryhope CA

14

Holbeach United

v

Alvechurch

15

Barwell

v

Oldbury United

16

Cradley Town

v

Chasetown

17

Biddulph Victoria

v

Staveley MW (Sun 3.00)

18

Causeway United

v

Leek CSOB

19

Boldmere St Michaels

v

Norton United

20

Coalville Town

v

Daventry Town

21

Lowestoft Town

v

AFC Wallingford

22

Woodbridge Town

v

Ware

23

Concord Rangers

v

Ilford

24

Norwich United

v

Harefield United

25

North Greenford United

v

Clapton

26

Chalfont St Peter

v

Wroxham

27

Great Yarmouth Town

v

Long Melford

28

Bury Town

v

Hullbridge Sports

29

Tiptree United

v

Ruislip Manor

30

Witham Town

v

Dereham Town

31

Enfield Town

v

Leverstock Green

32

Wembley

v

Edgware Town

33

Hanwell Town

v

Hadleigh United

34

Royston Town

v

Harpenden Town

35

Bowers Pitsea

v

London Colney

36

AFC Sudbury

v

Haringey Borough

37

Ely City

v

Brook House

38

Felixstowe & Walton United

v

Leiston

39

Wisbech Town

v

Sawbridgeworth Town

40

Enfield

v

March Town United

41

Buckingham Town

v

Kingsbury Town

42

Ipswich Wanderers

v

St Neots Town

43

Haverhill Rovers

v

Needham Market

44

Potters Bar Town

v

Clacton Town

45

Newmarket Town

v

Ford Sports Daventry

46

Cove

v

Fareham Town

47

VCD Athletic

v

Godalming & Guildford (Sun 3.00)

48

Camberley Town

v

Thatcham Town

49

Lordswood

v

Winchester City

50

Chessington United

v

Chichester City United

51

Walton Casuals

v

Three Bridges

52

Hythe Town

v

Littlehampton Town

53

Wick

v

Saltdean United

54

Broadbridge Heath

v

Brockenhurst

55

Selsey

v

Merstham

56

Moneyfields

v

Redhill

57

Arundel

v

Whitstable Town

58

Greenwich Borough

v

Eastbourne United

59

Whitehawk

v

AFC Totton

60

Slade Green

v

Reading Town

61

Bishop Sutton

v

Frome Town

62

Hamworthy United

v

Liskeard Athletic

63

Willand Rovers

v

St Blazey

64

Highworth Town

v

Falmouth Town (Sun 1.00)

65

Devizes Town

v

Exmouth Town

66

Street

v

Welton Rovers

67

Bristol Manor Farm

v

Bridport

68

Bishop’s Cleeve

v

Minehead

69

Tuffley Rovers

v

Barnstaple Town

70

Portland United

v

Bridgwater Town

71

Keynsham Town

v

Saltash United

72

Downton

v

Porthleven

73

Backwell United

v

Odd Down