Global audience for rebranded Boro!

By David Watters

Radcliffe FC are looking forward to flying the flag for the EVO-STIK League in the Emirates FA Cup at Prestwich Heys in front of a global audience on Saturday after being chosen to showcase the BBC's new extended coverage of every round.

Millions of fans of the world's oldest cup competition are expected to watch the preliminary round clash between the EVO-STIK League West club and the North West Counties Football League Division One outfit after the BBC confirmed their cameras were heading to a 12.30pm kick-off at Adie Moran Park.

Jon Macken and his side will have an international audience thanks to the BBC kicking off their coverage at the very start of the competition in the extra-preliminary round instead of the first round proper for the second season running.

Saturday's clash will be streamed live across BBC Sport's digital platforms, allowing audiences to watch the game live on PC, mobile or via the Red Button on connected TVs. The tie will also be available live and on-demand on the BBC iPlayer with Radcliffe's kit sporting the Manchester Worker Bee in remembrance of last year's terrorist attack in the city.

High point: The BBC TV gantry

High point: The BBC TV gantry

Rebranded for season 2018-19 this summer, Radcliffe FC, along with their hosts, are set to bank a £1,000 TV fee and will hope to collect £2,890 in prize money as one of the winners of this weekend's 160 ties.

Radcliffe FC chairman Paul Hilton said on Thursday: "We're really looking forward to showing the world and a wider audience what we are all about and made of, and especially after the relaunch and rebranding of the club for this season."

Heys, in the FA Cup for the first time since 1983, defeated Abbey Hey 2-1 in the extra-preliminary round two weeks ago. Radcliffe are dreaming of reaching the first round proper during a milestone season for the club after their rebranding, a stage they last reached as Radcliffe Borough in 2000.

The BBC kicked off their extended coverage this season nearly two weeks ago with the extra-preliminary tie between Haverhill Rovers and Haverhill Borough. Northern Premier League Warrington Town famously beat Exeter City in the first live match on the BBC in years in 2014 when live FA Cup football returned to the corporation from the first round proper.

Images courtesy of @FACupFactfile & @evostikleague/Twitter

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Thumbs up: Radcliffe FC boss Jon Macken salutes supporters after beating Clitheroe on Tuesday night

Still standing: The 552 clubs still in the cup after the extra-preliminary round

Where next?

Enquiry leaves Leek in cup limbo EVO-STIK League Leek Town are waiting to hear when they will kick off in the FA Cup this season after the Football Association launched an investigation into their first opponents Litherland REMYCA FC.
Wednesday's East and West action Wednesday night saw first wins of the new EVO-STIK League East season for Lincoln United and newly-promoted Wisbech Town while Kidsgrove Athletic made it back-to-back wins in EVO-STIK League West, writes Steve Whitney at Non League Today.

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