A Tough Start, and Finish For Imps This Season

Credit Graham Burrell

The Imps will start this coming campaign by getting the toughest fixture out of the way first –  a daunting trip to my title favourites, Bolton Wanderers.

It’s been 13 years since we last lost an opening day fixture, away at Rotherham in 2010, so we’ll have a big challenge keeping that record intact. We’ve also not won at Bolton since their Burnden Park days, picking up a 2-0 victory in 1984. In three visits to their new stadium, we’ve lost three times, conceding nine goals.

The Trotters will be on hand to try to ruin Christmas as well, by visiting on Boxing Day. Don’t worry; the tests don’t stop there – we’ve got Portsmouth at home on the final day of the season, another promotion hopeful.

If you were hoping for a weekend in Blackpool, you’ll be going on one of the coldest days of the year, January 1st, and away trips to Charlton and Orient, both attractive on paper, will have to be made in midweek, as they pop up on a Tuesday.

The Valley on a Tuesday, shame – Credit Graham Burrell

Carlisle away, a good chance to hit the Lakes, is Bank Holiday Monday in April, so traffic is likely to be a nightmare, but at least we get to go away to Portsmouth on a Saturday this season.

There’s not a lot to get excited about on fixture day, in my opinion. Everything is subject to change, we play everyone twice anyway, and in the end, whether you play Bolton first game, Christmas or deep into May, it doesn’t really matter. If we win enough games, we go up, whatever order that might be in.

Still, be my guest if you want to start booking hotels and trains just to be disappointed by an unseasonable frozen pitch, train strike or international fixture.

None of this apparent bitterness is because we’re away to Steve Evans’ Stevenage on my birthday weekend. Honest.

Find the full list here