Rugby have been given an away tie at either Gornal Athletic or Westfields in the Preliminary Round of this year's FA Cup with Budweiser.

Valley have avoided Southern League (or equivalent) opposition once more in the draw but are well aware of the perils of lower league opposition in the form of Westfields and especially Gornal.

Hereford-based Westfields play in the Midland Football League while Dudley-based Gornal play a further level down in the West Midlands League after a 14-point deduction and relegation last season.

Rugby came unstuck after a replay against Gornal, who were at the time two leagues below Valley, in 2011.

Manager Dave Stringer has bad memories of his first FA Cup tie with Rugby when then-West Midlands Premier side Gornal won 4-3 in a replay back in 2011 after a draw at Butlin Road.

However, none of the squad that faced Gornal three years ago still remain at Butlin Road.

Last season, Rugby equalled their best efforts in recent history by reaching the Third Qualifying Round after victories against Norton United, Nantwich Town and Blaby & Whetstone but Conference North side Worcester City eventually prevailed after a 2-0 replay victory at Butlin Road.

In the last ten years, Valley have reached the Third Qualifying Round on two other occasions before suffering unfortunate defeats to Chelmsford City in 2006 and to Bishop's Stortford in 2008.

Valley last reached the FA Cup First Round proper back in 1993-4 nearly 18 years ago while Rugby's best FA Cup record came in 1987-88 and 1992-93 when they reached the Second Round Proper.

This year's Preliminary Round tie will be played at either Westfields or Gornal on Saturday 30th August 2014.

FA Trophy

In the FA Trophy Rugby have another familiar draw with a repeat of their 2012 FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round game against Stafford Rangers.

Stafford have slipped down two divisions since the last meeting between the sides when Rangers defeated Rugby after a replay.

Stafford suffered relegation last season from the Evo-Stik Northern Premier and now compete at the same level as Rugby.

Valley's FA Trophy record in recent seasons has been very poor and Dave Stringer's men will be hoping to buck the trend of recent years.

Last season Rugby tripped at the first hurdle at Chasetown and in the last five years Valley have won just two Trophy ties.

The FA Trophy Preliminary Round will be played at Butlin Road on Saturday 18th October 2014.