BBC Sport

This weekend sees the conclusion of our 2025 FA Cup early rounds coverage, with a coveted place in the first round proper just one win away... but who will get there?

All eyes will be on the underdogs in our BBC Sport coverage, as step three side Farnham Town play host to step one National League Sutton United, coverage of which will be live on BBC iPlayer, Red Button & BBC Radio Surrey from 12:20 BST.

Southern Premier League South side Farnham Town are through to the fourth qualifying round for the first time in the clubs history, having had a meteoric rise over the past few years taking promotions in 2021, 2024 and 2025. The latter two were both as champions, with the 2023-24 Combined Counties Premier campaign built on a record-breaking run of 25 successive wins from the start of the season.

We know all about Sutton – from Coventry City to Leeds, and from Matt Hanlan to pie eating goalkeepers! They’re currently struggling towards the bottom of the National League, whilst Farnham are 4th in their division, after an unbeaten start.

Cash Murphy
BBC South East

Image source, Farnham Town Football Club

A Love Island runner-up who plays for Farnham Town FC says the team's upcoming FA Cup tie is "probably the biggest game in the club's history".

Harry Cooksley, who made it to the final of this year's series with Shakira Khan, is a midfielder for the club which sits in the seventh tier of English football.

Dubbed the "Surrey Zidane" by supporters, the Guildford native believes beating Sutton United on Saturday would be a "huge achievement" for the semi-professional club.

"I've never had more fun playing football in my entire life. The club is like a big family," he said.

He told BBC Radio Surrey: "I think everything at that football club from the top down is something different from any non-league club I've ever played for.

"What Harry's [Hugo] done there has completely transformed the club."

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Alastair Telfer
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images/Lewis Carey

John Murray has commentated on thousands of football matches in his career but his words after Crystal Palace won the FA Cup final in May 2025 have stuck permanently with one fan.

Lewis Carey has a forever reminder of his side winning their first major trophy.

Eberechi Eze's goal sealed a shock 1-0 win over Manchester City, with Carey opting to tattoo his entire calf with all the words Murray said on BBC Radio 5 Live in the immediate aftermath of the final whistle at Wembley.

The 124-word tattoo includes the phrase: "What a moment for all of South London, the scenes in the stands here, the flags, the celebrations, I swear you can hear half of Wembley shaking right now."

"It is just the words, listening to them you get goosebumps," Carey told 5 Live Breakfast.

"Your team has won the FA Cup and you want to get a tattoo on yourself to remember that.

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Ask Me Anything

The 2025-26 FA Cup first-round draw takes place on Monday, 13 October from 18:30 BST.

It will be held before Worthing face Robbie Savage's Forest Green Rovers in the fourth round of qualifying.

All 48 teams from League One and Two will join the 32 non-league teams who have progressed from the qualifying rounds.

Premier League and Championship teams enter the FA Cup in the third round.

Fixtures from the first round will take place around the weekend of Saturday, 1 November.

To find out the ball numbers for your team, click here!

Image source, BBC Sport

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