The early rounds of the FA Cup and FA Vase have be drawn and, once again, have pitted several of our Bradford district sides with clubs from the strong Northern League.

The financial rewards from the FA Cup are significant and winning through a few rounds can make all the difference to a club’s budget for the entire season. It can be the determining factor in a their decision to make a push for promotion.

Winning through the extra preliminary, preliminary and first qualifying rounds brings in a windfall of almost £6,500.

However, the north east is a hotbed of football and the clubs facing the likes of Brighouse Town and Thackley all have great traditions.

The extra preliminary round ties take place on Saturday, August 17, just one week after the start of the new Northern Counties East League campaign.

Silsden have escaped the curse of the Northern League but they still have a tough tie as they host Bridlington, who finished third in the NCEL Premier Division last term.

Eccleshill United missed out on qualification for the FA Cup but they were fortunate to get a bye in the FA Vase, as were Silsden.

Brighouse are exempt from the first two rounds of that competition after reaching the last 32 last season.

FA Cup preliminary: Albion Sports v North Shields, Brighouse Town v Seaham Red Star, Morpeth Town v Liversedge, Silsden v Bridlington Town, Thackley v Guiseborough Town.

FA Vase first qualifying round (Saturday, September 7): Alnwick Town v Albion Sports (winners home to either Billingham Synthonia or Hall Road Rangers), Esh Winning v Liversedge (winners home to Colne), Whitehaven v Thackley (winners away to Darlington RA). Second qualifying round (Saturday, Sept ember 21): Eccleshill United v Bishop Auckland, Silsden v North Shields.

First league fixtures: NWC Premier (Sat Aug 3): Alsager Town v Silsden; Wed 7, Silsden v Wigan Robin Park. NCE Premier (Sat Aug 10): Brighouse Town v Albion Sports, Garforth Town v Thackley, Long Eaton United v Liversedge. NCE Div One: Eccleshill United v Grimsby Borough. NWC Premier: Ashton Athletic v Silsden.