The2005–06 FA Cup qualifying rounds opened the125th season of competition inEngland for 'The Football Association Challenge Cup' (FA Cup), the world's oldestassociation football singleknockout competition. A total of 674 clubs were accepted for the competition, up 13 from the previous season's 661.
The large number of clubs entering the tournament from lower down (Levels 5 through 11) in theEnglish football pyramid meant that the competition started with six rounds of preliminary (2) and qualifying (4) knockouts for thesenon-League teams.South Western Football League was the only level 11 league represented in the Cup, seven clubs from the South Western Football League were the lowest-ranked clubs in competition. The 32 winning teams from Fourth qualifying round progressed to theFirst round proper, whereLeague teams tiered at Levels 3 and 4 entered the competition.
Matches played on Friday/Saturday/Sunday 19 to 21 August 2005. 172 clubs fromLevel 9, Level 10 and Level 11 of English football, entered at this stage of the competition, while other 189 clubs from levels 9-11 get a bye to the preliminary round.
Matches played on weekend of Saturday 27 August 2005. A total of 364 clubs took part in this stage of the competition, including the 86 winners from the extra preliminary round, 189 clubs from Levels 9–11, who get a bye in the extra preliminary round and 89 entering at this stage from the four divisions atLevel 8 of English football. The round featured five clubs from Level 11 (all from theSouth Western Football League) still in the competition, being the lowest ranked clubs in this round.
Matches on weekend of Saturday 10 September 2005. A total of 248 clubs took part in this stage of the competition, including the 182 winners from the Preliminary round and 66 entering at this stage from the top division of the three leagues atLevel 7 of English football. The round featured five clubs from Level 11 (all from theSouth Western Football League) still in the competition, being the lowest ranked clubs in this round.
Matches played on weekend of Saturday 24 September 2005. A total of 168 clubs took part in this stage of the competition, including the 124 winners from the first qualifying round and 44Level 6 clubs, fromConference North andConference South, entering at this stage.Great Harwood Town,Hebburn Town andStaveley Miners Welfare fromLevel 10 of English football were the lowest-ranked clubs to qualify for this round of the competition.
Matches played on weekend of Saturday 8 October 2005. A total of 84 clubs took part, all having progressed from the second qualifying round. The round featured twelve clubs fromLevel 9 still in the competition, being the lowest ranked clubs in this round.
Matches played on weekend of Saturday 22 October 2005. A total of 64 clubs took part, 42 having progressed from the third qualifying round and 22 clubs fromConference Premier, formingLevel 5 of English football, entering at this stage.Bishop's Cleeve,Chasetown andLeamington fromLevel 9 of English football were the lowest-ranked clubs to qualify for this round of the competition.
