The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
First Round Proper Draw
5.15pm, Saturday 28 October 2006



Football legend Sir Trevor Brooking will take over as the face of The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON on Saturday when he hosts the draw for the First Round Proper live on BBC One and Sky Sports News at 5.10pm.

For each of the seven draws The FA Director of Football Development will be joined at Soho Square by two sporting personalities with a passion for football.

England rugby stars and World Cup winners Will Greenwood and Neil Back join Brooking tomorrow to pick out the eighty balls.

Former England cricket captains Graham Gooch and Mike Gatting will do the honours in the Second Round Proper Draw on 12th November. Gooch and Gatting support West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.

These sporting heroes will have to wait until Sunday 3rd December for their favourite teams to enter the fray when two of Britain’s best young boxers square up to each other for the famous Third Round Proper Draw.

Boxing star Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton, a two-weight world champion, will find out who his beloved Manchester City are playing whilst Olympic silver medallist - and Bolton fan - Amir Khan will have a hand in who the Wanderers face.

Two-time FA Cup winner Brooking said: “I’m delighted to welcome such a great array of guests to Soho Square over the coming weeks. The draw is steeped in tradition and the Third Round Proper nearly always produces a David and Goliath match-up. Last year Burton Albion slugged it out against Manchester United and Colchester took on Premier League Champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

“The FA Cup itself remains in great health - this year is the 126th anniversary of the competition and a record 687 teams registered to take part. Last season’s Final was one of the best in living memory - despite the result for West Ham fans! It is quite simply the best domestic cup competition in the world and I’m proud to be playing a part.”

First Round Proper with Neil Back and Will Greenwood, BBC One at 5.10pm on Saturday 28 October. Second Round Proper with Graham Gooch and Mike Gatting, BBC One at 3pm on Sunday 12 November. Third Round Proper with Ricky Hatton and Amir Khan, BBC Two at 3pm Sunday 3 December.

All these draws will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports News