The Football League fixtures were released this morning, including Oxford United for the first time in five years. As befitting United's new-found status, their first game in Division Four is against that long-established League side Burton Albion. Away. United visit the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday 7 August, hoping to kick-off the new season with a winning start at a venue where the Us have a 100 per cent record.

Oxford's first home game next season is against Bristol Rovers in the League Cup on Tuesday 10 August, and the first home League game is the following Saturday against Chris Wilder's former team, Bury. On 21 August United have their first derby of the season with a visit to Wycombe, and the following Saturday a piece of history will be made when the Us face Accrington Stanley for the first time as they visit Grenoble Road on 21 August.

This season's Boxing Day game is a visit to Stevenage Borough, but the disappointment of that low-key fixture is made up for by the visit of Southend United on New Year's Day. The first trip to a new ground will be on Tuesday 32 November when Oxford travel to Chesterfield, while on 19 February there is the prospect of a visit to Morecambe's new ground, unless either side is still involved in the FA Cup. The historic trip to Accrington takes place on 16 April, FA Cup semi-final obligations permitting, while the Us end the season with their first visit to Shrewsbury's Greenhous Meadow. It's a bit disappointing to both start and end the season with away games (would never have happened in the Conference!) but what the hell, at least we're here.