TV crews queuing up to film 'Side!

As part of an ITV series following the fortunes of grassroots clubs in five different sports - football, rugby, cricket, basketball and ice hockey - programme makers were filming at training last Thursday night and will be back again next Sunday when they host Ipswich Wanderers in the preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup.

As an added bonus for delighted Barkingside chairman Jimmy Flanagan, the BBC's cameras are also due to start rolling at the Cricklefield Stadium on Monday night when they host Harlow Town in Ryman North after the Hawks were chosen as one of the Non-League clubs BBC Sport would be following in the cup this season.

As a result, Flanagan is also looking forward to his club's profile getting another boost on a special edition of Football Focus next Saturday lunchtime previewing Harlow's tie at home to Essex Senior League outfit Southend Manor later that day.

Flanagan said: "It is great news for us as a club. We've already enjoyed having the cameras down once and being on the BBC as well as in the new series when it comes out on ITV is fantastic free exposure. National attention is priceless anyway so we're absolutely delighted to be in the spotlight."

The Barkingside chairman also paid tribute to assistant coach Mel Ramsey after he left the club over the weekend, adding: "He gave some very loyal service to the football club and played a very important role in maintaining the club's Ryman status, stepping into the breach to hold the fort and carry the club single handily forward."

* The draw for the first qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup is due to be published by the Football Association at lunchtime on Monday ahead of next weekend's preliminary round action when Ryman North and South clubs enter the world's oldest cup competition.

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