The first round of the Southern League Premier South FA Cup will be broadcast live on television, marking a significant milestone for clubs involved in the competition. Berkhamsted, having produced a notable upset against National League South side Southend United in the fourth qualifying round, are set to face Plymouth Parkway, their divisional rivals, on Monday, November 9. The match will take place under floodlights at Plymouth, with Berkhamsted manager Chris Devane describing the occasion as a major step up for his team.
Plymouth Parkway secured their place in the proper rounds after a victory over Chertsey Town, and the meeting between these two Step 3 clubs has been selected as part of a series of televised fixtures by TNT Sports and the BBC. This package includes eight matches from various tiers of English football’s FA Cup, highlighting the broad appeal of the competition.
The televised schedule begins on Friday night with National League North’s Oxford City hosting Leicester City, the 2021 FA Cup winners. Saturday’s coverage will feature Altrincham, who recently advanced past FC United following a replay, as they host Notts County. On Sunday, Step 4 side Stafford Rangers, fresh from a 5-0 win over Gateshead in a replay, will face Grimsby Town. Other Sunday fixtures include Cray Wanderers welcoming Stockport County, and Wimborne Town hosting League Two side Crawley Town.
Although the televised fixtures primarily focus on matches involving clubs from lower tiers, some higher-level contests have also been selected. Step 4 side Rushden & Diamonds will play an away tie against Burton Albion but will not be part of the broadcast due to the preference given to an all-League One encounter featuring Peterborough United and Reading. This selection has attracted some criticism because of the perceived prioritization of fixtures involving Peterborough’s manager Robbie Savage and his son, player Charlie Savage. Closing Monday’s television schedule, the League Two fixture between Oldham Athletic and League One’s Sheffield Wednesday will also be shown.
Clubs participating in these televised ties will receive a £50,000 broadcast fee, providing valuable financial support at the levels represented. The live coverage of this round exemplifies the FA Cup’s continued ability to generate interest across the football pyramid, offering exposure to clubs outside the professional leagues alongside established teams.