The 2015–16 FA Cup qualifying rounds opened the 135th season of competition in England for The Football Association Challenge Cup (FA Cup), the world's oldest association football single knockout competition. A total of 736 clubs were accepted for the competition, the same as the previous season.[1]
The large number of clubs entering the tournament from lower down (Levels 5 to 10) in the English football pyramid meant that the competition started with six rounds of preliminary (2) and qualifying (4) knockouts for these non-League teams. The 32 winning teams from the Fourth Qualifying Round progressed to the First Round Proper, where League teams tiered at Levels 3 and 4 entered the competition.
Calendar
The calendar for the 2015–16 FA Cup qualifying rounds, as announced by The Football Association.[2]
Extra Preliminary Round
Extra Preliminary Round fixtures were due to be played on 15 August 2015, with replays taking place no later than 20 August 2015. A total of 368 teams, from Level 9 and Level 10 of English football, entered at this stage of the competition. The round includes 91 teams from Level 10 of English football, being the lowest ranked clubs to compete in the tournament. The results were as follows:[3]
- Notes
- ↑ Walkover for Tunbridge Wells as Glebe was not accepted into the competition.[4]
Preliminary Round
Preliminary Round fixtures were due to be played on 29 August 2015, with replays no later than 4 September. A total of 320 teams took part in this stage of the competition, including the 184 winners from the Extra Preliminary Round and 136 entering at this stage from the six leagues at Level 8 of English football. The round included 29 teams from Level 10 still in the competition, being the lowest ranked teams in this round. The results were as follows:
- Notes
- ↑ Match replayed after the Football Association voided Hamworthy United's victory in their first meeting.[5]
First Qualifying Round
First Qualifying Round fixtures were played on 12 September 2015, with replays no later than 18 September. A total of 232 teams took part in this stage of the competition, including the 160 winners from the Preliminary Round and 72 entering at this stage from the three leagues at Level 7 of English football. The round included 11 teams from Level 10 still in the competition, being the lowest ranked teams in this round. The results were as follows:
- Notes
- ↑ Match abandoned after a serious injury to an East Thurrock United player at 0–0 towards the end of the match.[6]
- ↑ Match replayed at Tilbury F.C. after an FA Investigation due to St Neots Town fielding an ineligible player.[7]
Second Qualifying Round
Second Qualifying Round fixtures were due to be played on 26 September 2015, with replays no later than 2 October. A total of 160 teams took part in this stage of the competition, including the 116 winners from the First Qualifying Round and 44 entering at this stage from the two leagues at Level 6 of English football. The round included 3 teams from Level 10 still in the competition, being the lowest ranked teams in this round. The results were as follows:
- Notes
- ↑ Match replayed at Hyde United F.C. after an FA Investigation due to Northwich Victoria fielding an ineligible player.[8]
Third Qualifying Round
Third Qualifying Round fixtures were due to be played on 10 October 2015, with replays taking place no later than 16 October. A total of 80 teams took part in this stage of the competition, all winners from the Second Qualifying Round. The round included 8 teams from Level 9 still in the competition, being the lowest ranked teams in this round. The results were as follows:
Fourth Qualifying Round
Fourth Qualifying Round fixtures were due to be played on 24 October 2015, with replays taking place no later than 30 October. A total of 64 teams took part in this stage of the competition, including the 40 winners from the Third Qualifying Round and 24 entering at this stage from the Conference Premier at Level 5 of English football. The round included one team from Level 9 (Sporting Khalsa) still in the competition, being the lowest ranked team in this round. The results were as follows:
Tie |
Home Team (Tier) |
Score |
Away Team (Tier) |
Att. |
1 | Gateshead (5) | 1–2 | Worcester City (6) | 782 |
2 | AFC Fylde (6) | 1–0 | Barrow (5) | 901 |
3 | Wrexham (5) | 0–1 | Gainsborough Trinity (6) | 1,841 |
4 | Northwich Victoria (8) | 0–0 | Chorley (6) | 534 |
replay | Chorley (6) | 1–2 | Northwich Victoria (8) | 1,080 |
5 | Harrogate Town (6) | 1–4 | Grimsby Town (5) | 1,920 |
6 | Barwell (7) | 2–2 | AFC Rushden & Diamonds (8) | 819 |
replay | AFC Rushden & Diamonds (8) | 0–1 | Barwell (7) | 1,162 |
7 | Salford City (7) | 1–0 | Southport (5) | 1,019 |
8 | Sporting Khalsa (9) | 1–3 | FC United of Manchester (6) | 2,252 |
9 | Stalybridge Celtic (6) | 1–1 | North Ferriby United (6) | 547 |
replay | North Ferriby United (6) | 0-0 (7–8 p) | Stalybridge Celtic (6) | 710 |
10 | Halifax Town (5) | 2–2 | Guiseley (5) | 1,078 |
replay | Guiseley (5) | 1–2 (a.e.t.) | Halifax Town (5) | 948 |
11 | Tranmere Rovers (5) | 0–0 | Lincoln City (5) | 3,729 |
replay | Lincoln City (5) | 2–0 | Tranmere Rovers (5) | 2,380 |
12 | Stourbridge (7) | 3–0 | Kidderminster Harriers (5) | 2,032 |
13 | Macclesfield Town (5) | 3–2 | Alfreton Town (6) | 1,048 |
14 | Brackley Town (6) | 3–0 | Bamber Bridge (8) | 451 |
15 | Altrincham (5) | 1–0 | Chester (5) | 1,603 |
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Competition proper
Winners from the Fourth Qualifying Round advanced to the First Round Proper, where teams from League One (Level 3) and League Two (Level 4) of English football, operating in The Football League, first enter the competition. See 2015–16 FA Cup for a report of First Round Proper onwards.
Broadcasting rights
The domestic broadcasting rights for the competition were held by the BBC and subscription channel BT Sport. The BBC continued as rights holders from 2014–15, while BT Sport bought ESPN's remaining FA Cup rights in February 2013.[9]
The following Qualifying Rounds matches were broadcast live on UK television:
References
External links
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Qualifying rounds | |
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Finals | |
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National teams | |
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League competitions | Level 1 | |
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| Levels 2–4 | |
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| Levels 5–6 | |
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| Levels 7–8 | |
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| Levels 9–10 |
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- Spartan South Midlands League (Premier, First)
- United Counties League (Premier, First)
- Wessex League (Premier, First)
- Western League (Premier, First)
- West Midlands (Regional) League (level 10 only)
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Cup competitions | FA cups | |
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| Football League cups | |
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Youth competitions | |
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