Next season’s fixtures were released today, possibly the most eagerly anticipated event of the Summer (easily knocking the quarter-finals of the European Championships into a cocked hat). As usual there are some interesting titbits to highlight, although United’s opening game is away at Boston, the second season running where we’ve had to endure the roads of Lincolnshire at season’s start.

Oxford’s first home game is against Mansfield, who could well again be a promotion rival (let’s start optimistic, okay?), on Wednesday 11 August, followed by another home game, against Scunthorpe the next Saturday. August Bank Holiday sees the Us travel up to relegated Notts County, followed on September 4th by a pleasant little jaunt up to Wycombe (look out for an exciting Rage On event coinciding with this game, possibly).

Our next trip to a new side is on November 27th, when we visit Chester, while we make our trip to Cleethorpes on December 18th. For the first time in seven seasons we have an away game on Boxing Day, but it’s only just up the road against Rushden. The New Year’s Day fixture is the return match against Wycombe. With no Torquay seaside trip this time round our Easter Monday game is a home encounter with Leyton Orient, although our end of season game is a potentially mouth-watering tie at home to Chester. That’s a long way away, though, and there’s going to be plenty going on between now and then.