So here we are, the provisional fixture release for the opening League weekend of the 2023-24 Season and for August is here. All fixtures are released on a provisional basis, a small number of games maybe subject to change due to logistical arrangements, FA Competitions and Ground share complications, but this is how we are expecting things to go. We are expecting to release the remaining fixtures at the earliest opportunity but that will be after we have had a chance to review fixtures from higher up the pyramid to ensure there are no ground-share clashes.
The opening weekend looks to be really interesting. In the Premier Division, Glossop North End's return to the NWCFL is a tough looking one with an away trip to Bury, a fixture that will no doubt please the Shakers fans as they themselves start a milestone season. Other sides returning to us from Step four have equally tough looking fixtures as Colne travel to West Didsbury & Chorlton and Ramsbottom United head to newly-promoted Wythenshawe FC. Skelmersdale have a home tie and they will host Padiham.
Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Chadderton start life at Step Five with a home game vs Litherland Remyca and fellow promoted club Cheadle Town also start with a home game as they welcome Charnock Richard to Park Road. Whilst the seas are calm and the new Manxman ship is about, fans may want to get that ticked off early and that weekend sees FC Isle of Man also with a home fixture as Wythenshawe Town make the journey over to the Island.
Opening Weekends Premier Division Fixtures | |||
Sat 29 Jul | Bury | v | Glossop North End |
Sat 29 Jul | Chadderton | v | Litherland Remyca |
Sat 29 Jul | Cheadle Town | v | Charnock Richard |
Sat 29 Jul | FC Isle of Man | v | Wythenshawe Town |
Sat 29 Jul | Kendal Town | v | AFC Livrpool |
Sat 29 Jul | Longridge Town | v | Irlam |
Sat 29 Jul | Lower Breck | v | Barnoldswick Town |
Sat 29 Jul | Prestwich Heys | v | Burscough |
Sat 29 Jul | Skelmersdale United | v | Padiham |
Sat 29 Jul | Squires Gate | v | Pilkington |
Sat 29 Jul | West Didsbury & Chorlton | v | Colne |
Sat 29 Jul | Wythenshawe | v | Ramsbottom United |
AUGUST PREMIER DIVISION FIXTURES - CLICK HERE
In Division One South it will also be a busy start to the season. Droylsden mark their return to the National League system with a home game against Abbey Hulton United. Market Drayton Town make their debut with a hime game against Cheadle Heath Nomads whilst Winsford United start their Division One South campaign with a relatively short trip along the A54 to Alsager Town. There's a new-look Cammell Laird 1907 this season and they start their campaign with a home game Vs Stafford Town, whilst Ashville travel to Eccleshall.
Division One South Fixtures | |||
29/07/2023 | Abbey Hey | v | Stockport Georgians |
29/07/2023 | Alsager Town | v | Winsford United |
29/07/2023 | Barnton | v | Sandbach United |
29/07/2023 | Brocton | v | Maine Road |
29/07/2023 | Cammell Laird 1907 | v | Stafford Town |
29/07/2023 | Eccleshall | v | Ashville |
29/07/2023 | Droylsden | v | Abbey Hulton United |
29/07/2023 | Market Drayton Town | v | Cheadle Heath Nomads |
29/07/2023 | Stockport Town | v | New Mills |
AUGUST DIVISION ONE SOUTH FIXTURES - CLICK HERE
Division One North also has a busy air about it as well as a couple of new names in there, one familiar, one not so. Route One Rovers (who we featured here in an interview last week), they start life in the National League system with a home game against Ashton Town. Shelley, who return to us after a couple of seasons away, they start their Division One North campaign with a trip and a first meeting with Euxton Villa. Runcorn Town, fresh from their relegation repreive will be looking to hit the ground running this season and they start of their season with a home game against Nelson.
Bacup Borough will be looking to build on the success of their cup runs last season but face a tricky looking start in the form of a visit from South Liverpool, who themselves are looking to push on. Ilkley Town host AFC Blackpool, whilst fellow Yorkshire side, Steeton hit the road on the first weekend as they travel to Atherton LR.
Sat 29 Jul | Ashton Athletic | v | Daisy Hill |
Sat 29 Jul | Atherton LR | v | Steeton |
Sat 29 Jul | Bacup Borough | v | South Liverpool |
Sat 29 Jul | Euxton Villa | v | Shelley |
Sat 29 Jul | Garstang | v | Darwen |
Sat 29 Jul | Holker Old Boys | v | FC St Helens |
Sat 29 Jul | Ilkley Town | v | AFC Blackpool |
Sat 29 Jul | Route One Rovers | v | Ashton Town |
Sat 29 Jul | Runcorn Town | v | Nelson |
AUGUST DIVISION ONE NORTH FIXTURES - CLICK HERE
There will be a relatively fast start to the League campaign as the above fixtures will be followed by a near full set of league fixtures for Midweek 1/2 August, there will also be a number of midweek match days in that first full month of the season.