Redcar Town's FA Cup Adventure: Live Broadcast vs. Darlington

Redcar Town’s FA Cup fairytale will step into the national spotlight after BBC Sport selected their second round qualifying tie with Darlington for live broadcast.

The game, to be played at Mo Mowlam Memorial Park, will kick off at 12:30pm on Saturday 19 September and will be shown live on BBC iPlayer, the Red Button, BBC Football’s YouTube channel and the BBC Sport website.

A first-time entrant under the cameras

For Redcar Town, this is uncharted territory. This season marks their first-ever appearance in the Emirates FA Cup, and they have treated it like an invitation to dream.

They have already stitched together an eye-catching run, knocking out Newcastle Benfield, Bridlington Town and then Blyth Spartans to reach the second round qualifying. Each win has nudged them a little further into the national conversation; now the cameras are coming to town.

Mo Mowlam Memorial Park, usually a quiet outpost on the football map, will suddenly find itself at the centre of the FA Cup’s early-season drama.

Darlington arrive as the heavyweight

Waiting for them are Darlington, a National League North side entering the competition at this stage. With their league status, history and expectations, they arrive as the heavyweight in the tie, the club expected to handle the occasion and move on.

But this is the FA Cup. A new name, a new ground, a live TV audience and a home side playing in the competition for the first time.

Redcar Town have already torn up a script or two to get this far. Now they get the chance to do it with the whole country watching.