Emley are in FA Cup 1st qualifying round action this Sunday when Northern League Division One leaders Bishop Auckland travel south for a 1.00pm kick off at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

The sides are familiar with each other, having been in the NPL D1 East together for the last 2 seasons, now 2 leagues apart, but despite Emley's promotion and Bishops' relegation last season, there isn't a lot between the sides, Bishop are looking to bounce straight back up, Emley looking to stay up in the NPL Premier.

Bishop have made a positive start to life back in the Northern League, already 6 points clear of local rivals Shildon, the only team to stop Bishop winning this season, they have a 100% away record including 2 wins in the FA Cup already, at Birtley and at Crook and have a + 15 goal difference away, and +20 for the season. They are 9 unbeaten and have kept clean sheets in 7 out of their last 8!

Emley lost only their second game this season after a 4-0 Bank Holiday Monday thumping by Guiseley in the West Yorkshire derby and will be looking to bounce back from that, but it will be far from easy despite the different levels, Bishops won both league fixtures last season and are unbeaten in their last 2 visits to Emley.

WHO ARE THEY?
Bishop Auckland FC were formed in 1886 as Auckland Town and were founder members of the Northern League, the world's second oldest league, they first won the NL in 1898-99 and have won it 20 times, the last time was in 2023-24 earning them promotion back to the NPL for the first time since 2006, they had previously spent 17 seasons at the higher level between 1988 and 2006. They spent 2 seasons in the NPL with Emley before relegation back to the Northern League in 26-27.

They have a rich history in amateur football, winning the FA Amateur cup on 10 occasions as well as the county cup 16 times, they reached the fourth round of the FA Cup as a Northern League club, beating Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town on their way to defeat against York City.

They play in the "Oxbridge" colours of dark and light blue after the students studying at Auckland castle formed the team and play at Heritage Park just outside the town.

LAST TIME WE MET:
7th March 2026, Bishop Auckland 2-1 Emley (Clegg), NPL D1 East, Att- 361

LAST TIME OUT:
Emley 0-4 Guiseley, NPL Prem, Att- 804
Newcastle Blue Star 0-1 Bishop Auckland (Potter), NL D1, Att-330.

HEAD TO HEAD:

Previous 5 meetings:
25th October 2025, NPL D1 E
EML 0-2 BIS, Att- 387

18th January 2025, NPL D1 E
EML 1-1 BIS (Parkin) Att- 451

28th September 2024, NPL D1 E
BIS 0-4 EML (Berchil 3, Baldwin) Att- 363

23rd April 2005, NPL P *as Wakefield-Emley
EML 0-2 BIS, Att-217

9th October 2004, NPL P *as Wakefield- Emley
BIS 0-3 EML (Fox, Wright, Muller) Att- 96

(ALL COMPETITIONS)
CURRENT FORM: Last 5
EML: W, D, D, D, L
BIS: W, W, W, W, W
LEAGUE POSITION :
EML: 14/22
BIS: 1/21
GOALS SCORED:
EML: 8
BIS: 31
GOALS CONCEDED:
EML: 11
BIS: 7
TOP SCORER:
EML: Diego De Girolamo/Aaron Haswell (2)
BIS: Gary Martin (7)
AVERAGE HOME CROWD:
EML: 560 (560 league)
BIS: 537 (537 league)

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

WHEN? Sunday 6th September 2026, 1.00pm
Gates open 11am

WHERE?
The Fantastic Media Welfare Ground
Off Upper Lane, Emley, Huddersfield, HD8 9RE

View the Emley AFC Visitors' guide

OWW MUCH?

£12 Adults
£10 Concessions
£5 ages 11-16
£1 ages 5-10
FREE-Under 5'S
SEASON TICKETS NOT VALID!!

Cash or card on the gates
Programmes £3

ARE NON LEAGUE DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, on a lead - see visitor's guide for restrictions.

IMPORTANT PARKING INFORMATION:
Please respect local residents, businesses and streets by parking safely and responsibly around the village!
DO NOT block drives and paths and with Emley being on a bus route, please ensure you leave plenty of room for buses to get through and also to manoeuvre!!
If you have to, arrive earlier and/or park further away and walk to the ground rather than causing an obstruction.