The FA Cup 2009–10 is the 129th season of the world's oldest football knockout competition; The Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup for short. As in the previous year, 762 clubs were accepted for the competition.[1] One club, Newcastle Blue Star, folded before the fixtures were released. As they were scheduled to enter the competition in the First Round Qualifying, their opponents in this round will receive a walkover.[2] The large number of clubs entering the tournament from lower down the English football league system will mean that the competition has to start with a number of preliminary and qualifying rounds. The 32 victorious teams from the Fourth Round Qualifying will progress to the First Round Proper.
Calendar
The calendar for the 2009–10 FA Cup qualifying rounds, as announced by The FA:[3]
Round
Main date
Number of fixtures
Clubs
New entries this round
Prize money
Player of the Round
Extra Preliminary Round
15 August 2009
203
762 → 559
406: 357th–762st
£750
Preliminary Round
29 August 2009
167
559 → 392
131: 226th–356th
£1,500
First Round Qualifying
12 September 2009
116
392 → 276
65: 161st–225th
£3,000
Second Round Qualifying
26 September 2009
80
276 → 196
44: 117th–160th
£4,500
Third Round Qualifying
10 October 2009
40
196 → 156
none
£7,500
Fourth Round Qualifying
24 October 2009
32
156 → 124
24: 93rd–116th
£12,500
Extra Preliminary Round
The draw for the Extra Preliminary Round was announced on The FA's website on Tuesday, 1 July.[4] Matches in this round will be played on the weekend of 15 August 2009,[3] with possible replays scheduled for no later than 20 August 2009.
The draw for the Preliminary Round was announced on The FA's website on Tuesday, 1 July.[4] Matches in this round will be played on the weekend of 29 August 2009,[3] with possible replays scheduled for no later than 3 September 2009.
The draw for the First Round Qualifying was announced on The FA's website on Tuesday, 1 July.[4] Matches in this round will be played on the weekend of 12 September 2009,[3] with possible replays scheduled for no later than 17 September 2009.
Due to Newcastle Blue Star collapsing after the draw had been conducted, the winners of tie no. 3 will be given a walkover to the Second Round Qualifying.
