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 334 clubs took part in this stage of the competition, including the 204 winners from the extra preliminary round and 130 entering at this stage from the six leagues at Level 8 of English football, while Ilkeston and Farsley from Northern Premier League were ineligible to participate as they only spent their second seasons.
A total of 232 clubs took part in this stage of the competition, including the 167 winners from the preliminary round and 65 entering at this stage from the top division of the three leagues at Level 7 of English football, while Chester from Northern Premier League were ineligible to participate as they only spent their second season.
Six clubs from Level 10 of English football, was the lowest-ranked team to qualify for this round of the competition.
Four clubs from Level 10 of English football were the lowest-ranked teams to qualify for this round of the competition.