The draws for the opening rounds of the FA Cup and FA Vase have been announced today by The FA. In the FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round, Romford face Barton Rovers at home on Saturday 8th August, while in the FA Vase, Boro have been drawn at home against Ilford in the First Qualifying Round on Saturday 15th August.

A win against Barton Rovers in the FA Cup would set up a home Preliminary Round tie against either Baldock Town or Kempston Rovers. Victory against Ilford in the FA Vase would see Boro play away to either Burnham Ramblers or AFC Welwyn.

All of the Essex Senior League’s clubs start their FA Cup campaigns in the Extra-Preliminary Round and also in the First or Second Qualifying Round of the FA Vase (depending on the draw). Benfleet are exempt until the Second Round Proper as a reward for their reaching the Fourth Round last season.

The Prize Funds for the FA Cup and FA Vase were announced by The FA recently and are unchanged from last season. Winners in the Extra-Preliminary Round of the FA Cup receive £1,125 while losers receive £375 while in the FA Vase, winners of First Qualifying Round ties receive £550 and losers get £160. In the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup the prizes are £1,444 for winners while losers receive £481 and in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Vase it is £725 for winning clubs and £225 for losing teams.

The full draw for the opening two rounds of the FA Cup and FA Vase can be found on The FA website, here: https://www.thefa.com/news/2026/jul/02/2026-27-early-round-cup-draws

Also this week, Romford FC are delighted to unveil our new kit for the 2026/27 season.

A huge thank you to our front of shirt sponsor, PCS Legal, for their continued support and to our shorts sponsors, Romford Business Improvement District, and to our kit suppliers, Box2Box Teamwear.