FA Cup fever is ready to grip Harwich and Parkeston!
It is hoped a big crowd will be in attendance for our opening FA Cup tie of the season this Saturday (August 8) when Mildenhall Town will visit the Gwinnell and Sons Royal Oak in the extra preliminary round.
Victory over the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division side would set up a trip to Isthmian League Gorleston in the next round on August 22.
In total, the Shrimpers would need to win six qualifying ties to reach the first-round proper – when League One and Two clubs enter - for what would be the seventh time in club history.
The most recent first-round appearance came 50 years ago and to celebrate that anniversary, members of the 1976 team will be in attendance on Saturday.

Cup dates announced

The likes of Mick Clarke and Reg Smith – the only two men to play 600 games for HPFC – are expected at a reunion of the side which won through the qualifying rounds before meeting Enfield in round one.
After the initial away game was drawn 0-0, the Shrimpers looked to have a great chance of reaching the second round for the first time ever but the replay was lost 3-0 on the Oak.
Prior to Saturday’s game, an exhibition of memorabilia detailing the 1976 Cup run will be on display in the Social Club, with those interested welcome from 1pm.
Then at 2pm, a question-and-answer session with two members of the 1976 squad – current joint chairman Tony Armstrong and Mick Stanford – will take place.
The club hopes fans will come along to this event, ask some questions and meet some of the 1976 heroes.
Kick-off for the Harwich v Mildenhall game is at 3pm. If scores are level after 90 minutes, a replay will take place at Mildenhall on Tuesday (August 11).
Admission is £8 for adults, £5 for concessions, while under-16s can come in free of charge. As ever, a printed programme will be available.