THE competitive football season gets underway for Tilbury FC today (Saturday, 6 august) when the Dockers set out on the road to Wembley with an FA Cup extra preliminary round trip to Spartan South Midlands League side Milton Keynes Irish.

On paper the Isthmian North Dockers are the favourites but an uncertain pre-season campaign and the fact that the hosts opened their league season with a 2-0 win against Easington Sports means an upset can't be ruled out.

Aveley will wrap up their pre-season friendly campaign with a trip to Maldon and Tiptree. East Thurrock were due to play host to Lewes in a friendly but the south coast side have pulled out.

Grays athletic will entertain Harlow Town at Parkside in a friendly.