2015–16 FA Trophy

The 2015–16 FA Trophy was the 46th season of the FA Trophy, the Football Association's cup competition for teams at levels 5–8 of the English football league system. A total of 276 clubs entered the competition, which was won by FC Halifax Town after beating Grimsby Town 1-0 in front of 46,781 spectators at Wembley in the final on 22 May 2016.

2015–16 FA Trophy
FA Challenge Trophy
Country England
 Guernsey
 Wales
Teams276
ChampionsFC Halifax Town
Runners-upGrimsby Town

Calendar
Round Main date Number of fixtures Clubs New entries this round Prize money
Preliminary round3 October 201564276 → 212128£2,500
First round qualifying31 October 201572212 → 14080£2,700
Second round qualifying14 November 201536140 → 104none£3,250
Third round qualifying28 November 201540104 → 6444£4,000
First round proper12 December 20153264 → 3224£5,000
Second round proper16 January 20161632 → 16none£6,000
Third round proper6 February 2016816 → 8none£7,000
Fourth round proper27 February 201648 → 4none£8,000
Semi-finals12 March and 19 March 201624 → 2none£16,000
Final22 May 201612 → 1noneRunner-up £25,000
Winner £50,000

Preliminary round

A total of 128 clubs, from Level 8 of English football, entered preliminary round of the competition. Eight clubs from level 8 get a bye to the first round qualifying - AFC Hornchurch, Bedford Town, Brighouse Town, Chatham Town, Goole, Kings Langley, Peacehaven & Telscombe and Swindon Supermarine.

First round qualifying

First round qualifying fixtures were due to be played on 31 October 2015, with replays taking place no later than 6 November. A total of 144 teams took part in this stage of the competition including 64 winners from the preliminary round, 72 teams from Level 7 of English football and eight teams from level 8, who get a bye in the previous round.

Second round qualifying

Second round qualifying fixtures were due to be played on 14 November 2015, with replays taking place no later than 20 November. A total of 72 teams took part in this stage of the competition, all winners from the first qualifying round. The draw was as follows: [1]

Third round qualifying

Third round qualifying fixtures were due to be played on 28 November 2015, with replays taking place no later than 4 December. A total of 80 teams took part in this stage of the competition, all winners from the second round qualifying and 44 clubs from Level 6 of English football. The draw was as follows: [2]

First round

First round fixtures were due to be played on 12 December 2015, with replays taking place no later than 18 December. A total of 64 teams took part in this stage of the competition, all winners from the third round qualifying and the clubs from Level 5 of English football. The draw was as follows: [3]

Second round

Second round fixtures were due to be played on 16 January 2016, with replays taking place no later than 22 January. A total of 32 teams took part in this stage of the competition, all winners from the first round. The draw was as follows: [4]

Third round

Third round fixtures were due to be played on 6 February 2015, with replays taking place no later than 12 February. A total of 16 teams took part in this stage of the competition, all winners from the second round. The draw was as follows: [5]

Fourth round

Fourth round fixtures were due to be played on 27 February 2015, with replays taking place no later than 4 March. A total of 8 teams took part in this stage of the competition, all winners from the third round. The draw was as follows: [6]

Semi-finals

Semi-final fixtures were due to be played on 12 March and 19 March 2016, with the second leg going to extra time and penalties if required. A total of four teams took part in this stage of the competition. The draw was as follows: [7]

First leg
Nantwich Town (7)2–4FC Halifax Town (5)
Cooke  42'
Kosylo  76'		 Report McManus  2'
Fairhurst  19'
Burrow  46' 60'
Weaver Stadium, Nantwich
Attendance: 2,078
Referee: Graham Salisbury
Bognor Regis Town (7)0–1Grimsby Town (5)
Report Arnold  75'
Nyewood Lane, Bognor Regis
Attendance: 2,629
Referee: Simon Hooper

Second leg
FC Halifax Town (5)2–2Nantwich Town (7)
Burrow  4'
White  90' (o.g.)		 Report Shotton  10'
Bailey  31'
Attendance: 3,009
Referee: Peter Bankes
Grimsby Town (5)2–1Bognor Regis Town (7)
Amond  8' 78' Report Beck  32'
Attendance: 2,477
Referee: Mark Heywood

Final
Main article: 2016 FA Trophy Final
FC Halifax Town (5)1–0Grimsby Town (5)
McManus  48'
Attendance: 46,781
Referee: Lee Mason

References
  1. "The FA Trophy Second Round Qualifying draw made at Wembley". www.thefa.com. The Football Association. 2 November 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  2. "FA Trophy holders drawn at home in Third Qualifying Round". www.thefa.com. The Football Association. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  3. "The FA Trophy first round proper draw made at Wembley". www.thefa.com. The Football Association. 30 November 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  4. "The FA Trophy second round draw has been made at Wembley". www.thefa.com. The Football Association. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  5. "The FA Trophy third round proper draw made at Wembley". www.thefa.com. The Football Association. 18 January 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  6. "FA Trophy fourth round draw made at Wembley Stadium". www.thefa.com. The Football Association. 8 February 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  7. "The FA Trophy semi-final draw made live on talkSPORT". www.thefa.com. The Football Association. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
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