A total of sixteen clubs received a bye in the opening stage of the competition in order to balance the numbers in the next round of the competition, eight from the Northern Section and eight from the Southern Section. Carlisle being one of the lucky eight in the North as, like last year, they get to take the first round off.
Round One this season takes place in the first week of September, with the draw taking place on Saturday the 16th of August. Meanwhile the draw for round two happens on Saturday the 6th of September, with the actual games at that stage coming in early October.
Teams receiving a bye
North East group - Darlington, Huddersfield Town, Lincoln City and Rotherham United.
South West group - Cheltenham Town, Hereford United, Walsall and Wycombe Wanderers.
South East group - Gillingham, Luton Town, MK Dons and Peterborough United.