Cups confirmation brings new season a step closer

Ryman League fans already looking forward to the start of the new season on the second Saturday in August can start penciling in a number of key cup dates for the coming campaign after they were confirmed by the Football Association.

Following the big kick-off to the 2015-16 campaign on Saturday 8 August, Ryman North and South clubs will be the first to fly the Isthmian flag in national cup competitions when they kick off in the FA Cup's preliminary round on Saturday 29 August.

Top flight clubs enter the competition two weeks later in the FA Cup's first qualifying round on Saturday 12 September with rounds following every two weeks up to and including the first round proper on Saturday 7 November. The second round takes place on Saturday 5 December and the third round on Saturday 9 January with the final scheduled for Wembley Stadium on Saturday 21 May.

The Ryman League's FA Trophy campaign also begins in the preliminary round with Ryman North and South clubs kicking off on Saturday 3 October.

The survivors will join the Ryman Premier's representatives in the first qualifying round on Saturday 31 October with the remaining two qualifying rounds and the first round following fortnightly - the latter being played on Saturday 12 December.

The final will be played as part of a double-header with the FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 22 May.

Fans booking holidays should look out for the official publication of next season's fixtures in the middle of July.

Like their counterparts at the Evo-Stik League Southern and Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, the Ryman League's officials must wait for the Football League and Football Conference to publish their fixtures due to the pairing requests of member clubs.

Follow us: @rymanleaguenews on Twitter | Ryman League group on Facebook