THREE Tameside non-league football clubs have discovered the first hurdles they must overcome in this season’s Emirates FA Cup and Isuzu FA Trophy.
Mossley AFC, Droylsden FC and Stalybridge Celtic FC will be hoping to enjoy a memorable cup run, with Wembley Stadium the ultimate destination in both competitions.
Mossley and Droylsden will begin their FA Cup campaigns in the Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday, August 8.
Following the draws which took place on Friday (July 3), Alex Craddock’s Lilywhites will face a trip to Silsden, while Dave Pace’s Bloods travel to Burscough.
The winners will collect £1,125 in prize money and progress to the Preliminary Round. Defeated sides will receive £375.
Should Mossley overcome Silsden, they will host Bradford (Park Avenue) in the Preliminary Round on Saturday, August 22. If Droylsden beat Burscough, they will entertain either Garforth Town or West Didsbury & Chorlton at the same stage.
Jon Macken’s Stalybridge Celtic will travel to either Tadcaster Albion or Glossop North End when they enter at the Preliminary Round stage.
Winning clubs will earn £1,444 and a place in the First Qualifying Round on September 5, while losing teams will receive £481.
The road to Wembley is a long one, with 14 rounds separating the Extra Preliminary Round from the 2027 FA Cup final, which will be played on Saturday, May 22.
Two Tameside clubs also learned their opponents in the Isuzu FA Trophy.
Mossley have been handed another away trip, this time to Hallam, in the First Qualifying Round on Saturday, August 29. Stalybridge Celtic will enjoy home advantage against Bradford (Park Avenue) on the same day.
Victories in the FA Trophy First Qualifying Round will be worth £1,500 and a place in the Second Qualifying Round on September 12, while defeated clubs will receive £400.
The FA Trophy final is scheduled to take place at Wembley on Sunday, May 16, 2027, with 12 rounds on the way to the showpiece occasion.