Tomorrow sees the start of the 2022/23 season as well as Darlaston Town 1874’s first ever game in the FA Cup when they welcome Black Country rivals and fellow Midland Premier League side Tividale to the Paycare Stadium – kick-off 3.00 p.m.

Darlaston is one of nine new clubs in this season's Emirates FA Cup, Everyone connected to the club has been looking forward to this fixture since it was announced at the beginning of July.

Tomorrow’s opponents are Tividale, who have had a successful pre-season rounded off with a 2-1 win last Saturday against Step 4 side Sporting Khalsa, their only loss being a 1-0 reverse against Bromsgrove Sporting.

Tividale’s long-term manager Dave King who has been in the post since the 2016/17 season has faced, for many reasons, a large turnover of players during the closed season. Not only on the pitch have there been changes but off the pitch also, King has recruited ex-players Stuart Howe and Carl Gardner to his management team, along with ex-coach Richard Upton. Dan Hinds also joins as the clubs' new Sports Therapist.

Changes have not only been made on the pitch ex-Kidderminster Harriers Chief Executive Neil Male has joined the club and has had a significant influence since arriving.

Last season after a decent start Tividale finished mid-table in 11th place, their first proper season since gaining promotion by winning the West Midlands Regional Premier Division in 2019. But due to COVID last season was their first full one in 3 seasons.

Tividale will start the season with virtually a brand new squad led by captain Curtis Cocking he, will be looking to gel and form a formidable unit on the pitch as soon as possible. When a club goes through the large number of changes that Tividale has in the closed season, it can work one of two ways. It can galvanise everybody into a cohesive unit immediately or, as what usually happens, it takes time for players, coaches, and the club to form the necessary bonds and relationships and get to know each other on and off the pitch. Irrespective of that,

Tividale will certainly be formidable opponents at the Paycare Stadium tomorrow afternoon, Darlaston will go into the fixture as underdogs and will need to be at their best to progress into the second extra qualifying round, the winners travelling to Northern Premier League side Witton Albion.

Darlaston meanwhile go into the game after a 6-1 win against a mixed Chasetown side last Saturday. The squad trained twice in mid-week in readiness for tomorrow’s fixture. The only injury reported is Andy Nicol's long-term cruciate ligament injury which will keep him side-lined for the majority of this season.

Manager Dean Gill said, “we are very pleased with the efforts of the players throughout pre-season and we have kept virtually all of last season’s squad, which has allowed me to work with a very small group throughout pre-season. What has been very frustrating is the number of clubs that have pulled out of fixtures, for varying reasons, and I would have preferred to have played a couple more games, but rest assured, the players and the management team will be fully prepared for tomorrow’s game and we will be doing our utmost to progress and take the club into the next round and we totally understand the importance of tomorrow’s fixture.”

We look forward to seeing as many of Darlaston Town’s supporters tomorrow afternoon.

Usual service will be resumed tomorrow. Gates will open at 1.00 p.m. along with the bar that will be serving its usual pre-match hot and cold food. Programmes are back and will be on sale at £2.00 each.

Entrance tomorrow is strictly by payment at the gate, as season tickets, club passes, and complimentary entry is not allowed under F.A. Competition Rules.

Entrance £6.00 Adults, £4.00 Concessions (over age of 66, students and children between 10-16 years old)

We hope to see as many Darlaston and Tividale supporters as possible for tomorrow’s fixture.

FOOTBALL IS BACK.