Who will our local football teams play in the cups?

Our local football clubs' plans for the forthcoming 2020-21 season have become a bit clear as the first draws have been made for the FA Cup, FA Trophy and FA Vase. 

With last season curtailed early due to the coronavirus pandemic, teams throughout Glossop, Tameside and Oldham are itching for competitive action to return again and their pre-season preparations are already well under way. 

Here, we round up who our sides are set to take on in the respective cup competitions during the first few weeks of the new campaign... 

FA Cup 

Less than a month after the 2019-20 competition concluded with Arsenal's 2-1 win over Chelsea at Wembley, the ties for the new season's extra preliminary round and subsequent preliminary round have been drawn. 

As is typical for this stage, both draws were broken down into 10 geographical regions in order to minimise travel distances where possible.

Oldham-based Avro FC will host Bootle in the extra preliminary round on Tuesday 1 September. Winning clubs will get £1,125, while losing clubs receive £375. 

If Avro progress, they will then travel to Eccleshill United or Silsden at the preliminary round stage - where four more of our teams will enter the competition on Saturday 12 September. 

Glossop North End will host City of Liverpool, Ashton United will welcome Maine Road or Squires Gate to Hurst Cross, Mossley will face St Helens Town or Cammell Laird 1907 at Seel Park, while Stalybridge Celtic will be away to Stocksbridge Park Steels. 

Droylsden were due to host Litherland Remyca or Ashton Athletic but it will be a walkover for the winners of that extra preliminary round, who will go straight into the first qualifying round on Tuesday 22 September. 

Winning clubs in the preliminary round will get £1,444, while losing clubs will receive £481. 

There will of course be no replays or extra time, so ties will go straight to penalties if they end in a draw. 

There are four rounds of qualifying, five proper rounds, then the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final, which is scheduled for Saturday 15 May 2021 at Wembley Stadium. 

FA Trophy

None of our teams are involved in the first qualifying round, but one of our teams will enter the competition in the second qualifying round on Saturday 17 October. 

Mossley will be away to the winners of the first qualifying round tie between Tadcaster Albion and Marine at the Global Stadium in North Yorkshire.

Glossop North End were due to travel to Droylsden but, because the Bloods have sadly had to withdraw from all competitions due to the financial impact of Covid-19, the Hillmen will get 'a walkover' into the third qualifying round on Saturday 31 October. 

The winners in the second qualifying round will receive £2,250, while the losers will get £575.  

There are three qualifying rounds, five proper rounds, then the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final is set to be on the now traditional Non-League Finals Day at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 May 2021. 

FA Vase 

Avro is the only one of our teams involved in the first qualifying round on Saturday 19 September, when they host Bottesford Town. If they win, they will get £550 but if they lose they will get £160. 

If they progress, they will welcome Abbey Hey to the Vestacare Stadium in the second qualifying round on Saturday 10 October. 

New Mills enter the competition at this stage and will be at home, with the winners of the  first qualifying round tie between Brigg Town and Winterton Rangers travelling to Church Lane. 

Winning clubs are to receive £725, while the losers get £225. 

There are two qualifying rounds, five proper rounds, then the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final is set to be on the now traditional Non-League Finals Day at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 May 2021.