The Fleet will face Grimsby Town in the First Round of the Emirates FA Cup following this evening’s draw live on TNT Sports. It’s the club’s first away trip in the competition this season as the No.71 ball was drawn second, meaning a trip to Blundell Park.

It’s not the first time Fleet have been there having faced the Mariners during their time in the Conference. We lost 4-3 on our first visit there in December 2011 and went down 3-1 in February 2013 (below). The reverse fixtures saw us win 3-1 and draw 1-1 at Stonebridge Road. It will, however, be the first time the sides have met in cup competition – although we were paired with Grimsby in 2023/24 ahead of the unsuccessful replay against Slough Town.

Grimsby, managed by David Artell since 2023, are currently fifth in League Two having finished just outside the play-offs in ninth place last season. The Humberside club were beaten at home by Wealdstone in the First Round last season but reached the quarter-finals as recently as 2022/23.

Fleet’s last trip to an EFL side in the FA Cup was the narrow defeat at Leyton Orient in 2021.

Ties will be played on the weekend of 1st November with ticket details and more information to follow.

Prize money at this stage of the competition is £45,000 for the winners and £15,000 for the losers. The full draw can be found here.