Two non-league sides get their FA Cup moment on national TV as Cray Wanderers host Stockport and Altrincham welcome Notts County.
The FA Cup first round is about to put two non-league grounds in the spotlight. Cray Wanderers will host Stockport County, and Altrincham will welcome Notts County. Both ties have been picked for BBC coverage next month.
For Cray and Altrincham, a live TV slot is a big moment. Their home grounds, their supporters and their club identities get a national platform, and a cup upset would only add to the story.
The Cup first round is where the competition's romance tends to kick in. Clubs from outside the Football League host sides from above them, and a single afternoon can flip the script. Stockport and Notts County will arrive as the opponents with the bigger reputations, but the cup has never cared much about reputations.
Expect two tricky afternoons for the visitors, with home crowds ready to push their sides on. Both fixtures are worth a spot on the watchlist for anyone who loves the FA Cup's unpredictability.
