CLOCK Face Miners will make history by joining rugby league’s most historic competition for the first time.

The Miners will be in the hat for Friday’s Challenge Cup draw alongside fellow St Helens amateurs Haydock from the North West Men’s League and National Conference side Thatto Heath.

And Miners chairman Ste Hunt says the club is hoping for a local home derby to start with - and then to make enough progress to have a crack at the semi-professional teams from League 1 who enter in round 3.

He said: “Everybody wants a home draw and we are no different - and like all the other NCL and amateur clubs we want to get through the early rounds and play the professionals.

“The club is doing well and making progress in the National Conference but there is still a lot to do but we are working hard to turn the club around. A lot of Clock people, particularly over the last 12 months, have started to come back to into club.

“Hopefully a Challenge Cup run will attract more people to the club.”

The 26 winning teams from Round One will progress to the Second Round in February, before Betfred League 1 teams enter at Round Three in March, and 12 Betfred Championship sides join in Round Four later in the month. Toronto and Toulouse will not take part in the 2019 Challenge Cup.

Four Super League clubs - Hull KR, Leeds, London and Salford - will all enter in Round Five in April before the top eight from Super League join in Round Six the following month.

BBC Sport will select one fixture from Round One through to Round Five for live-streaming via the BBC Sport website.