We're underway, fixtures released!

Next season’s promotion races and survival battles effectively kicked off at 9am on Thursday morning when the fixtures for the new campaign were published on the EVO-STIK League’s official website.

With less than a month to go to the big kick-off on Saturday August 16, the fixtures for the 2014-15 seasons of the EVO-STIK League’s Premier, North and South divisions were simultaneously published with those of the Southern League and Isthmian League on their respective official websites.

Following the release of the draws for the early rounds of the FA Cup and FA Trophy by the Football Association last week, fans, players and officials at the EVO-STIK League’s 68 clubs can now start planning in earnest for the upcoming campaign after running the rule over next season’s schedule, banking and writing off points on paper while weighing up their own prospects and those of their biggest rivals.

Fierce rivalries are renewed and new ones started before the season proper reaches its climax on Saturday April 25 while the opening day’s programme will have fans smiling and groaning in equal measure.

Last season’s runners-up FC United of Manchester are away at Barwell as they begin their quest for promotion while Belper Town host Ashton United and Grantham Town are on the road at Blyth Spartans.

Top flight newboys Ramsbottom United host King’s Lynn Town, Curzon Ashton are at home to Marine while Stourbridge host Whitby Town. Workington are away at Stamford AFC while the other new entrant to the division, Halesowen Town, are also on the road at Skelmersdale United.

Elsewhere, Nantwich Town head to Buxton, Witton Albion welcome Ilkeston FC, Frickley Athletic host Rushall Olympic and Trafford entertain Matlock Town.

In First Division North, arguably one of the biggest opening day clashes comes at Salford City who host Scarborough Athletic. Others that will be eagerly awaited include Warrington away at Darlington, Northwich at home to Kendal Town and Bamber Bridge welcoming Droylsden.

The opening day in First Division South throws up plenty of interesting encounters too including Carlton Town at home to Stafford Rangers, Sutton Coldfield Town hosting Spalding United and Coalville Town welcoming Romulus.

Opening Day Fixtures

Premier Division
Barwell v FC United of Manchester
Belper Town v Ashton United
Blyth Spartans v Grantham Town
Buxton v Nantwich Town
Curzon Ashton v Marine
Frickley Athletic v Rushall Olympic
Ramsbottom United v Kings Lynn Town
Skelmersdale United v Halesowen Town
Stamford AFC v Workington
Stourbridge v Whitby Town
Trafford v. Matlock Town
Witton Albion v Ilkeston FC

First Division North
Bamber Bridge v Droylsden
Brighouse Town v Radcliffe Borough
Darlington 1883 v Warrington Town
Harrogate Railway Athletic v Mossley
Lancaster City v Farsley AFC
New Mills v Burscough
Northwich Victoria v Kendal Town
Ossett Town v Clitheroe
Padiham v Spennymoor Town
Prescot Cables v Ossett Albion
Salford City v Scarborough Athletic

First Division South
Brigg Town v Loughborough Dynamo
Carlton Town v Stafford Rangers
Chasetown v Gresley FC
Coalville Town v Romulus
Kidsgrove Athletic v Goole AFC
Leek Town v Rainworth Miners Welfare
Lincoln United v Tividale
Mickleover Sports v Newcastle Town
Norton United v Stocksbridge Park Steels
Sheffield FC v Market Drayton Town
Sutton Coldfield Town v Spalding United