Dear All,

Welcome to Belfast and the live draw for the first round proper of the DIVING IN THE BOX FFA CUP.

Before, we start the draw, on behalf of the DITB League, I'd like to say get well soon to 'Doc' McNally (Maclacticos) who picked up a bad football injury last week when he smacked someone in the elbow with his face, breaking his jaw and cheekbones in four places. He no longer looks like Petr Cech, but more closely resembles former Northern Ireland striker Iain Dowie.

We hope the surgery goes well and that you make a full recovery 'Doc'!

Now, on with the draw...

This year, I will once again be ably assisted by independent adjudicator Brother Johnston (Minus Three FC).

Brother Johnston will draw the home teams while my good self will draw the away teams.

This year's prize will be £50 for the winner as well as the coveted FFA Cup trophy, currently held by Brother Stewart (Muckamore ULD).

Runner-up gets zilch, diddly squat, sweet FA, BFH... bus fare home, nothing in this game for two in a bed... etc, etc, etc.

Anyway, to repeat the rules...

To coincide with the fourth round of the cup, the first round of our very own FFA Cup randomly pits one team directly against another in a knock-out situation.

Our 16 winners will progress to the second round and so on, with each round coinciding with that of the English FA Cup - right up until the final.

The winner of each match will be the team that scores the most points in that particular week.

In the event of a draw, there will be a replay between the teams concerned the following week. If, in the unlikely event, of another draw, then the team with home advantage will go through.

We have 20 Premier League teams in the hat, alongside 12 Conference League teams so will we witness any giant killing feats?

Will there be any close friends or allies pitted against each other in the first round?

Will teams sacrifice their league position for the chance of FFA Cup glory (as did last year's champion)?

There's only one way to find out...

Once the draw has been made, please fell free to post any messages you might have to your opponent on screen for all to see. Let's get the rivalry going!!!

Brother Johnston, can you stop playing with your balls and start the actual draw....................

Cool Dude Zoo, can you give us a roll on your new Roland electronic kit please....................

And we're off. Just scroll down.....

Last week's league positions are in brackets along with P (Premier League) or C (Conference League).............. these positions are BEFORE last weekend's scores

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Diaby Does Dallas (P10) vs The Grapes of Raff (P12)

Looks tighter on paper than in reality. Only a fool would bet against Brother Brogan given the chairman's current form.

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Yer Ma's Athletic (P8) vs Flexys Fairies (C6)

Our first inter-league battle. Yer Ma must be favourite to secure a home win, although Flexy is performing well in the Conference.

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HIT THE BAR (P5) vs Barry's Elite XI (C3)

Brother Crudden will fancy himself against Conference League debutant - but could be a potential banana skin as Barry is going well in the Conference.

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The Fernandos (C16) vs True Blue Strikers (P17)

One of those ties where both managers will be happy. After knocking out Paddy Sulls, Brother maynes will fancy his chances at home to a disappointing Brother Eilledge. Potential upset with a Conference win?

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The Blue Monkeys (P6) vs Maclacticos (P4)

Contender for tie of the round between two Premiership high fliers. Maclacticos will fancy an away win, based on the current form of The Monkeys, but Brother Shields is already planning to target the Doc's face in the first five minutes. Ouch!!!!

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Kirbs Crawlers (P16) vs Dirty Dubs XI (C19)

Not the most exciting of ties between two teams in the lower regions of their respective leagues. Enough said.

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The Well Hungarian (C11) vs Prince of Darkness (P18)

A good local derby to whet the appetite! Brother Nugent will fancy his chances against premiership struggler Cheeko - will the Premier League quality tell in the end? Tie of the round contender.

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Minibabybellefc (P19) vs Chamonix Albion (C19)

Potential family feud warning as McCabe#3 takes on his brother's fiancee in yet another Conference vs premier league clash. Not a good draw for McCabe as no-one likes to potentially be beaten by a girl!

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Howrtings (C8) vs Harpic Amsterdam (P9)

The Conference teams continue to avoid each other as another fixture pits Brother Henry Snr against Brother Molloy. Tricky away tie but Molloy should have the edge.

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Gulladuff FF (P13) vs Feeder Club MUFC (P1)

League leader Brother Walls will be fairly happy with an away tie against Brother Henry Jnr. Never easy but the guru should have too much fire power.

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Joeys Monsters (C12) vs Minus three FC (P3)

Brother Johnston is jumping around the room punching the air with this draw. "Bye Bye Joey!", he's shouting. Can McCabe cause a famous cup upset?

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KFC Academical (P20) vs Gazza's Piping Hots (P10)

Gazza Mac gets the draw that everyone was hoping for!!! Can KFC salvage something from this season with a decent cup run? Brother McDonald is the Piping Hot favourite for this one.

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ABCDE FC (P2) vs Mersey Miracles (C13)

Probably the most one-sided tie of the round. ABCDE is the in-form team in the DITB league at the moment and should prove far too much for the young Miracles at home. In fact, Son of Chuckie will NEED a miracle to get through this one. Smokey Robinson and The Miracles would stand a better chance! Looks like it's gonna be a Miracle Whip for Brother O'Sullivan!

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Cherry United (P15) vs Muckamore Uld (C9)

Its Utd vs Uld as defending champ Brother Stewart travels to Cherry Valley (what's YOUR FF team's home stadium called?). Cherry should still be favourite on paper but Muckamore has that cup winning experience. Could be a tight contest.

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Real Godlfish (C22) vs Making History (P7)

The Professor could hardly have hoped for an easier draw than an away trip to the hapless Real Goldfish. Unless Brother Mac, having given up on any promotion hopes, decides to pile his resources into winning the Cup? An undoubted away win.

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Brendy's Bruisers (P14) vs Probably The best (C1)

Unbelievably, no Conference team has drawn another Conference team!!! What were the odds on that!!!! This final tie is the 12th inter-league tie of the round and is a tricky one indeed for the Bruisers at home to the Conference's runaway leader. Great match in store.

So that concludes the draw for the first round proper of the Diving in the Box FFA Cup. Ties to be played on the weekend of January 24 / 25.

There you have it folks! The countdown is on again to FFA Cup glory. Anyone can win a one-off game and the magic of the cup should ensure that we have plenty of thrills and spills at the end of the month.

I'm looking forward to the pre-match mind games which I hope will be put on screen for all to see. Let me know your thoughts too on the tie of the round.

Thanks to Brother Johnston for his assistance.

Good luck and I'll be in touch with the league update soon.

Michael R.

Diving in the Box FF League Chairman

http://divinginthebox.blogspot.com/

PS: As a special task, can everyone please send me the name of their home ground as soon as possible, e.g., Cherry United plays at Cherry Valley.