THE 32nd season of The FA Vase, in partnership with Carlsberg, kicks off this weekend with 212 hopeful clubs competing for a place in second round qualifying.

The FA Vase, arguably the nation's most romantic cup competition, is for non-league teams playing on the fifth rung of the non-league pyramid and below.

This season it has attracted 493 entries, ten more than last winter.

In addition to the 212 clubs entering at Saturday's first round qualifying stage, a further 216 join in second round qualifying, 35 in the first round and 30 in round two.

All eight sides that have moved down from the FA Trophy enter the competition in round one, while 30 clubs have received exemption to the next round as a reward for reaching the fourth round last season.

These include winners Didcot Town and, AFC Sudbury, who have agonisingly lost in the final three years in succession.

Pershore Town face a long trip to face Mickleover Sports with the incentive of a home tie in the next round on October 2 against fellow Midland Combination side Bridgnorth Town.

Victories in both those games would net the King George's club £1,100.

For the uninitiated taking an interest for the first time, it is a startlingly rich competition, steeped in history, vibrant in colour and crammed with characters both on the playing side and in management.

Though the trend is towards bigger pay packets and greater incentives for players, it is still one of those rare sporting competitions where winning is more important than the financial reward.

As with last season, when the final was played at Tottenham Hotspur FC, this season's final in May 2006 will once again be held at one of the country's top Premiership grounds.

The prize fund for the competition now stands at £403,600 with the winners potentially netting £32,500 if they come through the entire competition from first round qualifying.