THE draws have been held for this season’s Best Badges Suffolk Veterans’ Cup and Shield competitions.

The Shield has been introduced as an additional competition this season because the depth and breadth of teams entering means there is now enough teams to have two competitions.

A total of 25 teams will contest the Veterans’ Cup, meaning there will be nine first-round ties and seven sides receiving a bye.

Holders Ransomes Sports will start the defence of their trophy with a home tie versus AFC Hoxne Reserves.

Ransomes Sports skipper Joe Francis is pictured above tapping home into an empty net for the fifth and final goal in his side’s 5-1 victory over Whitton Colts in last season’s final at Needham Market FC. Photograph: Paul Voller

Best Badges Suffolk Veterans’ Cup First-Round Draw: Hadleigh Utd v AFC Kesgrave, Sole Bay Utd v Ipswich Wanderers, Lowestoft Casuals v Spexhall Huntsman & Hounds, Ransomes Sports v AFC Hoxne Res, Woodbridge Town v Oulton Utd, Stour Valley v Mendlesham, Foxhall Town v Lowestoft Casuals Old Boys, Corton & Carlton Colville v Waveney ETC, Moulton v Bury Town.

Ties to be played on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024.

Byes: AFC Hoxne, Ipswich Exiles, Kedington, Lowestoft Town, Mildenhall Town, Somersham, Whitton Colts.

There will be 27 teams taking part in the first Best Badges Suffolk Veterans’ Shield.

Twenty-two of those will participate in 11 first-round ties, with the remaining five side receiving a bye through to round two.

Best Badges Suffolk Veterans’ Shield First-Round Draw: Ipswich Golden Hind v Old Newton Utd, Stowupland Falcons v Cavendish, Martlesham Old Boys v AFC Chelmondiston, Kesgrave Kestrels v Kirton Old Boys Res, Bury Town Res v New Street Rovers, Occold v Ransomes Sports Res, Waveney v Coplestonians, Eye Saints v Aldeburgh Town, Framlingham Town v Kirton Old Boys, Walsham-le-Willows v Woolverstone Utd, Ipswich Park v Waveney Athletic.

Ties to be played on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024.

Byes: Bramford Utd, Capel Plough, Coplestonians Res, Sporting 87, Westgate Elks.