The large number of clubs entering the tournament from lower down (Levels 5 through 10) in the English football pyramid meant that the competition started with six rounds of preliminary (2) and qualifying (4) knockouts for these non-League teams.
A total of 332 clubs took part in this stage of the competition, including the 201 winners from the Extra Preliminary Round, Ashford Town, who were without a league to compete but were included in a draw, and 130 entering at this stage from the six leagues at Level 8 of English football, except three clubs: Chester who was ineligible to participate as they only spent their second season, Leyton, who decided not to participate, and Grays Athletic, who get a bye to the next stage.
A total of 232 clubs took part in this stage of the competition, including the 166 winners from the preliminary round, 65 entering at this stage from the top division of the three leagues at Level 7 of English football and Grays Athletic, while Halesowen Town from Southern League Premier Division missing this years competition due to ownership issues.
Radcliffe Olympic and Wednesfield from Level 10 of English football, were the lowest-ranked clubs to qualify for this round of the competition.
Radcliffe Olympic from Level 10 of English football was the lowest-ranked club to qualify for this round of the competition.