The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
First Round Proper
Friday 10 November - Monday 13 November 2006
Winning clubs will receive £16,000
First Round Proper Draw - Click Here

2.15pm, Sunday 12 November
Weymouth v Bury
Live on BBC

8pm, Monday 13 November
Macclesfield Town v Walsall
Live on Sky Sports



Eighty teams are preparing to battle it out in the First Round Proper of The FA Cup, sponsored by E.ON, but for Weymouth, Bury, Macclesfield Town and Walsall, the celebrations have already started as they will each bank £75,000 thanks to the TV appearance fee provided by The FA.

On top of this, if the Terras were to beat the League Two side, they would take home £16,000 in prize money, part of the £10million FA Cup prize fund for this season. This is in addition to the £10,000 they have previously received for their 3-0 away win at Hungerford Town.

Weymouth Chief Executive Gary Calder said: "The FA Cup is very important to Weymouth, not just for our FA Cup hopes but throughout our entire football community.

"For all non-league clubs, any extra revenue is a massive boost, particularly when you consider the TV fees on top of the prize fund. The money from The FA will make a significant difference right throughout the club, which includes our 36 youth teams and our football academy."

Speaking about the First Round clash, Gary continued: "As with any game, we will of course be fit and completely prepared for the match, as I am sure Bury will too. It will be a great game and like all cup football, both teams will do their best to get through to the next round to continue their FA Cup success."

The FA Cup provides an annual opportunity for teams outside The Football League to write their name into the competition’s 126-year history with a David v Goliath giant killing.

League Two basement boys Macclesfield Town will take on Walsall in their First Round tie, and Macclesfield Town Chief Executive Patrick Nelson said: "The FA Cup is a fabulous competition and it is an honour to be able to play in a cup with such romance and history.

"The fact that a club like us can compete with any one else in the country, from those at the bottom of the football ladder to world-famous clubs is an incomparable experience.

"It is fabulous that we get this extra money to help us progress with being part of a game that we love."

Speaking about their First Round clash, Patrick continued: "It will be a great match. Obviously we are looking to avenge the 2-0 league defeat at the Bescot Stadium earlier in the season and we are looking forward to going out there and playing to the best of our ability."

In addition, the world’s most famous domestic cup competition acts as a potential financial lifeline for many clubs for whom a prolonged cup run can totally overhaul their bank balance. Scarborough’s home draw with Chelsea and Manchester United’s pairing with Exeter City and Burton Albion in the last two seasons are prime examples of this opportunity.

In the First Round Proper alone, the winners take home £16,000 and the prizes only get better for those teams strong enough to get through - with £24,000 up for grabs in the Second Round and £40,000 in the Third Round Proper.

Steve Clark, Head of Competitions for The FA, said: "The FA Cup first and foremost is a knock-out competition that every season throws up a series of shocks and fixtures that live in the memory for many years. Some players become household names following their FA Cup exploits, and even John Motson credits the legendary FA Cup replay between Hereford United and Newcastle United for launching his television career.

"The prize money and broadcast fees for many clubs are almost of secondary importance compared to the opportunity of putting their club ‘on the map’. However, with a prize fund totaling just under £10 million, The FA is committed to ensuring that those clubs who can beat the odds and progress throughout the stages are rewarded in a way that could change their footballing fortunes."