Shrewsbury Town will begin their first full League Two campaign under manager Paul Simpson with a home game against Macclesfield.
The Silkmen visit Oteley Road on August 9, before Town acquaint themselves with two of the division’s newcomers in the following fortnight.
A trip to Exeter - Blue Square Premier play-off winners - awaits on August 16, before Blue Square champions Aldershot come to Shropshire seven days later.
The first local derby of the season is pencilled in for September 20 when Town are scheduled to make the trip to Chester, with the return coming on January 10.
Two other games sure to attract the supporters attention come against Port Vale, which will be played on October 11 (home) and January 17.
Shrewsbury face a Lancashire double over the Christmas period, with a Boxing Day trip to Rochdale followed by a home clash with Bury 48 hours later. There are no New Year’s Day fixtures.
The season will conclude with a trip to Dagenham on May 2, with the final home game coming against Lincoln on April 25.
“I have seen the first six fixtures, the last six fixtures and the Christmas programme and I think we have got a tough start,” said manager Paul Simpson.
“We have got the two promoted clubs and the game at Exeter will be their first one back in the Football League.
“I’m pleased we are at home in the first game. It’s what everyone wants but it’s only worthwhile if you win it.
“With regards to the rest of the fixtures, you have to play everyone twice so there is no point worrying about it.”
Meanwhile, Simpson has confirmed the club have offers on the table to clubs and players for four targets.
But he has refused to comment on speculation linking Town with what could potentially be a big-money move for Notts Forest striker Grant Holt.
The 27-year-old has had spells at Rochdale and Sheffield Wednesday, and joined Blackpool on a month’s loan last season.
While Simpson refused to comment on individual targets, he did say: “We have got offers on the table for four players at the moment and we are waiting for answers from clubs and players.
“I would like to think those answers will come soon.”
Full fixture list in today’s Shropshire Star
By James Garrison
9 Comments
It look like the best opening fixtures for years, despite that the newcomers will be eager to gain some points on their account.
My guess is 8 points in the first 4 games, with two won and two drawn.
Not a very easy start to the campagain in my opinion .. Macc are not the best in the league, but at that stage of the season, they will not be pushovers thats for sure…
And Aldershot and Exeter, both one after each other, early on will be very difficult - they will still be on a high from promotion, giving them a psycological advantage, and we will need to raise our game in order to beat them…. hwoever im confident our gaffer will orchastrate a fantastic season, starting with those games,
come on you blues
lets here a big shout of come on you blues that lasts the whole season long and to promotion.
Should suit us and we can start clocking up points from the beginning of the season, which was so important last season. If we don’t…………….
this is a most difficult start to the season, and i wish town all the best, but on current end of season form i am predicting that as at 1.11.08 town may only have 14 points, prove me wrong town
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..is it that time of year already?
I have to agree with Sean this is mind-numbingly boring, the future does not bode well for the human race if this is all people can talk about.
Although I can’t get excited about a load of fixtures this early in the summer and enjoy the break from non-stop football. Millions of people do care about it, even thousands in Shropshire and I will, when they get underway.
I love the irony that Barry decries the fact people are talking about it by adding to the debate, whilst Sean is that uninterested by the story that he is reading it and replying at 20 to 1 in the morning.
Surely the idea of these forums is to add comment whether for or against the subject, that is one of the linchpins of democracy isn’t it?
Just because somebody is not a football fan should not make someone persona non grata or is it a case that if you are not one of the 5% or less of the counties population that attends the home matches then you should not have an opinion, it really does appear to be the case of the tail wagging the dog.
In answer to Howard Moon, when I went to school 12.21 was just gone twenty past twelve and not twenty to one or is this just another distortion amongst those who live in a time warp?