A total of 220 clubs - 15 more than last season - will be challenging for the nation’s premier non-league football competition, which kicks off with the Preliminary Round.

Fifteen clubs have made the step up from The FA Vase, in partnership with Carlsberg, as a result of the changes to the National League System, and Carlisle United and York City come in from the Football League.

They will be playing for a total prize fund of £670,000 - £39,000 more than last season - to be awarded by The FA over all nine rounds with £50,000 to the winning team.

The 33 winning clubs from the Preliminary Round, to be played on 08, 09, 10 October, will each be awarded £1,000 in prize money.

AFC Telford United, founded by supporters following last season’s demise of Telford United, will be among the sides beginning their first ever campaign in The FA Trophy.

The fans will no doubt be hoping for another decent run after cheering Telford United on to the semi-finals last season, only to be knocked out on penalties by eventual runners-up Canvey Island.

The Northern Premier Division One side will face their league rivals Kidsgrove Athletic on 09 October, kick-off 1pm. Kidsgrove will be hoping for a better start than last season when they were thrashed 7-1 at this stage.

Another club built by fans, AFC Wimbledon, will be making their competition debut.

The Isthmian Division One side, promoted to The FA Trophy after one season in The FA Vase when they got as far as the Fourth Round Proper, will be at home to league rivals Metropolitan Police on 09 October.

Brigg Town, twice former winners of The FA Vase, are also among the newcomers.

The Northern Premier Division One side will be away to league rivals North Ferriby United on Friday, 08 October.

Clitheroe, who finished runners-up to Brigg Town in The FA Vase final in 1996, are also new to The FA Trophy and face Kendal Town at home in another Northern Premier Division One clash on 08 October.

The winning clubs from the Preliminary Round will go through to the First Round, with the draw having already been made.

A total of 109 clubs are exempt to the First Round on November 6 with a further 23 clubs exempt to the Third Round, including holders Hednesford Town and runners-up Canvey Island.

This season’s Final in May 2005 will be the last to be held at a leading ground with The FA Trophy due to return to its ‘spiritual home’ of Wembley in 2006.

Players and fans will then have the chance to achieve the ultimate football ambition - reaching a final at Wembley Stadium.

This is the third consecutive season that Carlsberg has been The FA’s presenting partner for The FA Trophy and forms an integral part of their support of football in this country.

Carlsberg is also The FA’s presenting partner for The FA Vase and The FA Sunday Cup, highlighting its commitment to non-league and grassroots football.

The FA Trophy
Preliminary Round - Fixtures
Saturday 09 October 2004 - 3.00pm (unless stated)

1

Clitheroe

v

Kendal Town (Fri 8 Oct- 7.45)

2

North Ferriby United

v

Brigg Town (Fri 8 Oct- 7.45)

3

Gresley Rovers

v

Spalding United (1.00)

4

Warrington Town

v

Ossett Albion (1.00)

5

Kidsgrove Athletic

v

AFC Telford United (1.00)

6

Belper Town

v

Rossendale United

7

Woodley Sports

v

Ilkeston Town (1.00)

8

Stocksbridge Park Steels

v

Chorley

9

Corinthian Casuals

v

Banstead Athletic (12.30)

10

Cray Wanderers

v

Aveley (Sun 10 Oct - 1.00)

11

Horsham

v

Uxbridge

12

Dartford

v

Leatherhead (12.30)

13

AFC Wimbledon

v

Metropolitan Police (1.00)

14

Bashley

v

Ashford Town

15

Hastings United

v

East Thurrock United

16

Great Wakering Rovers

v

Maldon Town (1.00)

17

Barton Rovers

v

Wivenhoe Town

18

Burgess Hill Town

v

Wingate & Finchley (12.00)

19

Berkhamsted Town

v

Waltham Forest (12.00)

20

Bromley

v

Chatham Town (12.30)

21

Barking & East Ham United

v

Fisher Athletic (12.30)

22

Arlesey Town

v

Croydon Athletic

23

Newport IW

v

Tooting & Mitcham United

24

Fleet Town

v

Tilbury (12.30)

25

Erith & Belvedere

v

Harlow Town

26

Beaconsfield SYCOB

v

Boreham Wood

27

Sittingbourne

v

Leighton Town

28

Taunton Town

v

Marlow

29

Corby Town

v

Brackley Town (12.00)

30

Ashford Town (Middx)

v

Evesham United

31

Thame United

v

Egham Town

32

Bromsgrove Rovers

v

Burnham (1.00)

33

Yate Town

v

Swindon Supermarine (Fri 8 Oct- 7.45)