RUSS Penn is relishing the chance to kick off the season with an FA Cup tie following the news that the world’s most famous Cup competition will commence our term.
It was confirmed this week that the scheduled beginning of the 2020/21 season for National League North and South teams will be with the Second Qualifying Round.
It’s a stage that often arrives with the season well underway and with a stack of league games already under the belt but, as with most things in 2020, this year will be very different indeed.
Ties will be played on Saturday, 3 October 2020 with news on the draw due in the coming weeks.
The gaffer spoke to our YouTube channel about the news and said: “It’s something to look forward to!
“The FA Cup is massive for us and teams at our level.
“This year it’s going to be our first game, so we’ll be right back at it.
“We’re ready and prepared – we won’t get the draw until probably a couple of weeks before, but the lads will be back in for pre-season at the end of August.
“A league game would’ve been just as exciting after six months off so, like I’ve said, the players are itching to get out there – I think the first pre-season game will be like a Cup final to some of them as they haven’t touched a ball in that long!
“But we’ve got to be right and prepare right. We’ve got this date now and can get things sorted.”