Valley's season kicks off tomorrow with a mouth-watering FA Cup tie at new local rivals Coventry United.

Since returning in May, Rugby Town boss Dave Stringer has re-assembled a squad with the intention of bouncing straight back to Step Four football but it is in the FA Cup that things unusually kick off as Rugby will be competiting for the first time ever in the Extra Preliminary Round.

Of last season's squad, the likes of David Kolodynski, Mason Rowley and Kyle Rowley have stayed at Butlin Road with goalkeeper Niall Cooper also returning to the club while highly-rated campaigners James Dance, Brad Harris and Ruben Wiggins-Thomas have joined.

FA Cup

In recent years, Rugby's FA Cup record has been respectable having last season reached the Second Qualifying Round but were knocked out for a second successive year by Brackley Town after a convincing defeat at St James' Park.

Valley have reached the Third Qualifying Round four occasions in the last 10 years before suffering defeats to Chelmsford City in 2006, Bishop's Stortford in 2008 and Worcester City in 2013.

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.

Opponents - Coventry United

The game will be Rugby's first ever meeting with Coventry United after they were only formed in 2013 in reaction to Coventry City moving from the Ricoh Arena to Northampton Town

United went on to enjoy three successive promotions in their first three seasons, before achieving a eighth place 2016/17 finish in the MFL Premier Division last season.

Their current squad includes seven players who have featured for Rugby in their last two NPL campaigns in the shape of Kevin Thornton, Mitchell Piggon, Lewis Rankin, Tom Glasscoe, Aron Wint, Ryan Quinn and Lewis Hudson, with three others from years prior to these - Josh O’Grady, Avun Jephcott and Richard Morris - also signed on for the club.

Coventry's squad also contains ex-Coventry City striker Craig Reid.

Untied have been playing at Coventry Sphinx's ground for the past few seasons but this season have switched to share with Coventry Rugby Club at Butts Park Arena.

Last season was Coventry's first in the FA Cup and reached the 1st Qualifying Round before being knocked out by Bedworth United.

Valley Player News

Rugby have a few injury concerns ahead of the new season.

Left back Craig Kelly is likely to be out for a number of weeks with an ankle injury sustained in the final pre-season match against Nuneaton.

Meanwhile Trey Brathwaite is a major doubt after struggling with injury in pre-season and Tevin Shakespeare is away.

New winger Chadd Birch is a doubt while it is hoped Ruben Wiggins-Thomas is fit to play after missing the last two friendlies with a groin injury.

Valley have also signed former Atherstone midfielder Ben Ashby and young left back Jamie Hall on the eve of the season.

Valley Squad from: Niall Cooper; Sean Castleton, Jamie Hall, Brad Harris, Aiden Print, Kyle Rowley, Mason Rowley; Ben Ashby, Reece Chambers, James Dance, Harry Holloway, Liam Holt, Ryan Isherwood, Josh Ruff, Josh Thornton; Chadd Birch, David Kolodynski, Ruben Wiggins-Thomas.