THACKLEY Juniors Football Club will host the first-round draw of the Emirates FA Cup on Monday.

The draw will take place live on BBC Two and 5 Live Sport from 7pm, with Bradford City's progress in last season's competition having been key to the broadcaster's decision to visit Dennyfield.

Mark Cole, BBC lead executive football, said: "We're pleased to be able to take the competition around the country again that last year saw us go from Warrington to Weston-Super-Mare and Hartlepool to Hull.

"Bradford City were the stand-out giant-killers in the competition last season, so we thought it fitting to base the first-round draw at a local community club."

Stewart Willingham, secretary of Thackley AFC, explained that the draw being made at Thackley's ground came about because of the club's junior section.

"It's a grass-roots initiative by the FA and I understand a lot of clubs put their names forward to be considered," he said.

"It was all top secret until today. In fact, it was a secret to us – the Thackley committee – for a while.

"We had to get involved because it's our ground but the process was a long way down the line even by then.

"It was a straight choice for the FA and the broadcasters between us and Salts by the time the first-team administrators were brought into discussions.

"It really has been a big secret up until now and although we're delighted and honoured to be the venue for the first-round draw of the FA Cup, its been hard for us because we are a very open club and we have a very good relationship with our local press but we haven't been able to let anything slip."

A statement on Thackley Juniors' website read: "This is a huge honour and privilege and is a reflection of how far we have come as a junior football club, having already been awarded the Charter Standard Community Club award which is the highest accolade a junior club can achieve at grassroots level.

"The capacity for the live draw will be limited and on an invite only basis."

West Riding County Amateur League Premier Division outfit Salts also have an extensive and vibrant junior section.

It is understood that the final decision was down to ground access and logistics regarding the outside broadcast trucks.

Monday's draw will involve at least one of the area's non-League clubs as National League rivals FC Halifax Town and Guiseley will go head to head in the fourth qualifying round at The Shay on Saturday.

A total of 32 non-League sides who have battled through qualifying will be joined by the 48 League One and Two teams in the legendary velvet bag.