August 2010

For rounds 1 and 2, the clubs are equally divided into Northern and Southern sections and then sub-divided again into North East and North West in the North and South East and South West sections in the South.

Round 1 - 32 teams compete

16 clubs are awarded byes straight through to round 2 in an in-house pre-draw leaving the remaining 32 League 1 and 2 clubs to compete in round 1. Teams are drawn in couples within each section and games are played on a knock-out basis with the first drawn club playing at home.

Round 2 – 32 teams compete

The 16 clubs that were awarded byes straight through to round 2 play the 16 winners from round 1. Teams are drawn in couples within each section and games are played on a knock-out basis with the first drawn club playing at home.

The sections are now merged leaving just a Northern and Southern section.

Area Quarter Finals – 16 teams compete

There are 8 games in the Area Quarter Finals, 4 in the Northern section and 4 in the Southern section. Teams are drawn in couples within each section and games are played on a knock-out basis with the first drawn club playing at home.

Area Semi-Finals – 8 teams compete

There are 4 games in the Area Semi Finals, 2 in the Northern section and 2 in the Southern section. Teams are drawn in couples within each section and games are played on a knock-out basis with the first drawn club playing at home.

Area Finals – 4 teams compete over 2 legs

Drawing is no longer necessary for the final 4 teams as the two remaining teams in each section play each other over 2 legs - home and away. The first team to play at home is decided via a secret draw at The Football League Headquarters.

The Final

The Final takes place between the winner of the Northern section and the winner of the Southern section at Wembley Stadium during March / April.