52 of the 66 clubs from the
First,
Second and
Third divisions joined the 12 clubs who came through the qualifying rounds. Of the 14 League teams not receiving a
bye to the first round proper, Second Division side
Leeds United was entered in the extra preliminary round, as that club's admission to the
Second Division had been by election, rather than through promotion. However, after easy victories against local amateur outfits in their first two matches, the club had to forfeit their first qualifying round tie against
Harrogate as it clashed with a League fixture against
The Wednesday at
Hillsborough. Three sides from the Third Division (
Merthyr Town,
Newport County and
Gillingham) were entered in the fourth qualifying round, while four from the Second Division and six from the Third Division were entered in the sixth qualifying round. These were: ;
Second Division •
Clapton Orient •
Port Vale •
Rotherham County •
Coventry City ;
Third Division •
Swansea Town •
Luton Town •
Bristol Rovers •
Grimsby Town •
Southend United •
Northampton Town Of those sides not proceeding to the first round proper, Port Vale lost to Clapton Orient, Coventry City lost to Rochdale and Rotherham County lost to Luton Town. 32 matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 8 January 1921. Six matches were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture, of which one went to another replay. ==Second round proper==