The FA Cup 1979–80 is the 99th season of the world's oldest football knockout competition; The Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup for short.
The large number of clubs entering the tournament from lower down the English football league system meant that the competition started with a number of preliminary and qualifying rounds.
The 28 victorious teams from the fourth round qualifying progressed to the first round proper.
The teams that given byes to this round are Worcester City, Maidstone United, Weymouth, AP Leamington, Nuneaton Borough, Barnet, Wealdstone, Leatherhead, Wycombe Wanderers, Southport, Workington, Dagenham, Morecambe, Dartford, Hitchin Town, Tooting & Mitcham United, Minehead, Enfield, Blyth Spartans and Runcorn.
See 1979-80 FA Cup for details of the rounds from the first round proper onwards.