Boss Graham Turner has welcomed an “exciting” start to Shrewsbury Town’s 2010/11 campaign – with Bradford City the visitors to the Greenhous Meadow for the nPower League Two opener.

The Bantams, who were in the Premier League for two years up to 2001, head to Shropshire on August 7.

Shrewsbury travel to Macclesfield Town’s Moss Rose a week later for their first away game.

Turner will first come up against former club Hereford with a home game on Tuesday, November 23. The return fixture at Edgar Street is on Easter Saturday, April 23.

Bury are the visitors on Boxing Day, while Shrewsbury will head to Burton Albion on New Year’s Day.

“It’s certainly an exciting opening one,” said Turner. “Bradford are a big club, you can see that when you look at the level of support they had last season.

“They were in the Premiership not so long ago so it’s an attractive one.

“We’ve been fortunate to have Charlton Athletic in the Carling Cup after that —it’s an attractive tie for us to have here.”

Revealed

On the match-ups with Hereford, where he was manager and/or chairman for 15 years, he added: “That era is over now and I’m very much committed to this football club.

“I know those games will be of interest to supporters, but getting the three points is all that will concern me.”

Meanwhile, Turner confirmed that Michael Jackson had been added to his coaching staff – and revealed that the former defender would have special responsibility for developing the young professionals.

“There’s a gap between those leaving the youth ranks with Dave Hughes (Town’s Head of Youth) coming into the first team,” said the Shrewsbury boss.

“There’s a big investment in our youth policy and we have to make sure that works.

“It’s no good them coming across as pros and ceasing the individual work that’s required.”

By CHRIS HUDSON