FA Trophy 2026-27 Preliminary Round Preview

By Phil Annets (@FATrophyFacts)

The 2026-27 FA Trophy Preliminary Round kicks off at 2.0pm on Saturday 15th August when Hayes & Yeading United host Jersey Bulls in a tie that has switched from being played in Jersey, and ends on Sunday afternoon when Ashford Town (Middlesex) travel to Merstham FC.

There are 16 ties in total, all contested by Step Four clubs from the Trident Leagues, involving five debutants and eight clubs that have gone as far as the Last 32 in the competition in the past. Two ties pit clubs from opposite ends of FA Trophy experience.

Congleton Town, who made the Last 32 in 2000-01 season, host FA Trophy new boys Beverley Town, whilst FA Vase holders AFC Stoneham make their bow in this competition with a home tie against Barnstaple Town who reached the Last 32 way back in the 1971-72 campaign.

The other three debut clubs are Buckhurst Hill who host Welwyn Garden City, Mulbarton Wanderers who travel to Felixstowe and Walton United, and Cobham FC who entertain Egham Town.

Just three of the Preliminary Round ties have happened before, just once each. South Park Reigate have a quick opportunity to avenge last season’s 1st Qualifying Round defeat by Broadbridge Heath, whilst Pontefract Collieries lost 3-2 to Clitheroe FC at this stage of the competition eight years ago.

The only ‘Barker’ tie of the round also happened once before, ten years ago, when Harrow Borough beat Herne Bay 3-0 in a 1st Qualifying Round replay.

Finally, Stotfold FC are the only one of the 32 clubs involved that could equal a club’s best Trophy run with a victory having reached the 1st Qualifying Round in each of the club’s three previous Trophy campaigns. Will they make it four out of four with an away win over Hadley FC?