The FA Cup is back!

Sheffield Wednesday will find out their FA Cup first round opponents next week - and one non-league chairman is dreaming of a trip to Hillsborough.

For the first time since the 2022/2023 season, The Owls enter the historic competition at the first round stage, along with the other clubs in League One and League Two. It means they will have to win two matches to reach the third round and possibly earn a money-spinning tie at one of the Premier League giants.

The Owls were knocked out of the cup by top-flight Brentford last season in the third round. Such was the mood around the club due to the desperate situation on and off the pitch, the game attracted a crowd of just over 10,000, much lower than what it could have been had the picture been more positive.

There are some ninth-tier clubs involved in the fourth qualifying round this Saturday, including SE Dons, of Bexleyheath, London, who were playing Sunday League football as recently as 2024 and are making their debut in the competition. They now play in the Southern Counties East Premier Division and started their FA Cup journey in the extra preliminary round.

Another one of the lower-league clubs who are excited about the prospect of drawing Wednesday is National League North club Marine, who are in action away at Hartlepool United this Saturday.

Marine chairman Paul Leary told BBC Radio Merseyside: “It’s a huge game for both football clubs, Hartlepool and Marine. To get to the first round proper, the opportunity, financially, is almost endless, as Marine experienced five years ago (when they played Spurs). There are some big clubs now in League One, Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday. They have crowds in excess of 30,000 and if we were to get a result and get through into that first round proper, wouldn’t it be nice to play Leicester or Sheffield Wednesday away.

“Everyone at Marine at the moment, from the players to the management, to the fans and sponsors, we are all very, very confident and we are going to Hartlepool and we will do our absolute best to get at least a draw and to bring Hartlepool back to College Road on Tuesday or perhaps even better.”

The draw for the first round is due to take place on Monday, with details to be confirmed. Ties are set to played around the weekend of Saturday, November 7. Winners of first round matches bank £47,750 in prize money.

FA CUP FOURTH QUALIFYING ROUND DRAW

- Harborough Town v Spennymoor Town

- Chorley v Worcester City

- Gateshead v Stafford Rangers

- Halifax Town v South Shields

- Leiston v Guiseley

- Barrow v Gloucester City

- Hartlepool United v Marine

- Boston United v Scunthorpe United

- Macclesfield v Anstey Nomads

- Altrincham v FC United of Manchester

- Bury FC v Harrogate Town