The BBC have chosen to announce this week the FA Cup Preliminary Round match they will stream weeks after the draws were completed.
The early rounds of the FA Cup qualifiers have been televised on the BBC since 2017, which has not only put non league clubs on the map, but also earned them a welcome financial boost for being on the telly.
A game from every stage is be live-streamed across BBC Sport’s digital platforms, allowing audiences to watch the game live on PC, mobile or connected TV. Matches will also be available live and on-demand on BBC iPlayer.
Stocksbridge Park Steels’ FA Cup debut at home to Stalybridge Celtic will be broadcast live on the BBC Sport website, iPlayer and Red Button on Saturday the 12th of September (12:30 BST).
South Yorkshire part-timers Stocksbridge play their football in the eighth-tier of English football, known as the Northern Premier League Division One South East.
Their opponents, Stalybridge, play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, a tier higher in the English football league sytem.
As you might know already, Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, who won the Premier League golden boot award for being top scorer in 2019-20, played for Stocksbridge Park Steels before breaking into the professional game.
Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin also endured a loan spell at Stalybridge Celtic in 2014-15 when he was at Sheffield United.
The 2020-21 FA Cup started in midweek at the extra preliminary round – with the BBC game on at 19:45 BST on Tuesday, just weeks after Arsenal beat Chelsea in the 2019/20 cup final.
Steve Rudge, BBC Sport’s head of football, said: “We are delighted that audiences will be able to share in the passion of the FA Cup from the opening stage of the competition. To highlight the tournament from first kick to last will showcase the desire for success in the famous Cup throughout the football pyramid.”
David Newton, the FA’s head of competitions, said: “The Emirates FA Cup is the world’s most loved domestic cup competition.
“We’re delighted that the BBC is widening the competition’s reach by allowing fans the opportunity to follow the drama live, right from the very start through to the showpiece final at Wembley Stadium.”
FA CUP QUALIFYING GAMES PREVIOUSLY TELEVISED:
2017/18
Extra Preliminary Round – Litherland REMYCA (10) vs AFC Liverpool (9) (BBC)
Preliminary Round – South Shields (8) vs Bridlington Town (9) (BBC)
First Qualifying Round – Billericay Town (7) vs Didcot Town (8) (BBC)
Second Qualifying Round – Deeping Rangers (9) vs Kidderminster Harriers (6) (BBC)
Third Qualifying Round – Ashton Athletic (9) vs Chorley (6) (BBC)
Fourth Qualifying Round – St Albans City (6) vs Boreham Wood (5) (BBC)
2018/19
Extra Preliminary Round – Haverhill Rovers (9) vs Haverhill Borough (10) (BBC)
Preliminary Round – Prestwich Heys (10) vs Radcliffe (8) (BBC)
First Qualifying Round – Maltby Main (9) vs Frickley Athletic (8) (BBC)
Second Qualifying Round – Lymington Town (9) vs Torquay United (6) (BBC)
Third Qualifying Round – Peterborough Sports (8) vs Chorley (6) (BBC)
Fourth Qualifying Round – Dunston UTS (9) vs Gateshead (5) (BBC)
2019/20
Extra Preliminary Round – Punjab United vs Broadbridge Heath (BBC)
Preliminary Round – Heather St John’s vs Worcester City (BBC)
First Qualifying Round – Thatcham Town vs Salisbury (BBC)
Second Qualifying Round – Irlam vs York City (BBC)
Third Qualifying Round – Halesowen Town vs Altrincham (BBC)
Fourth Qualifying Round – Potters Bar Town vs Barnet (BBC) and York City vs Stockport County (BT Sport)
Fans reacted as the BBC announce the FA Cup Preliminary Round match they will stream…
Last time they were on telly there was a streaker ??
— mufcpinkie (@mufcpinkie) September 4, 2020
I wouldn’t think so, for a lot of reasons ?
— Jeff Yelling (@JeffYelling) September 4, 2020
Good choice, great folk & ground up at @parksteelsfc ? ⚽️
— Andy Ollerenshaw (@NonLeagueFooty) September 4, 2020
@NLVolunteer: Will be tuning in
@SheffieldFC_com: Is there a book on how many times they’ll mention Jamie Vardy?
@Adam_Allcroft: Fantastic to see that @parksteelsfc will be on BBC Sport next week, an incredibly opportunity for everyone involved!
@KivoLee: Fantastic for @parksteelsfc that!
@mikeburkee7: Can’t wait
@FACupFactfile: Two previous meetings in #FACup between Stocksbridge Park Steels and Stalybridge Celtic, both won by Stalybridge Celtic with an 11-2 goal aggregate
@liamhoden: Brilliant to see Stocksbridge Park Steels getting the TV spotlight in the FA Cup
@betts_andrew_: get me a haircut
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