Saddle-up for away opener

Latics fixtures

ATHLETIC will kick off next season with a trip to Walsall... and supporters can enjoy a Boxing Day on the coast with a visit to Blackpool.

Darren Kelly will take charge of his first competitive match as a manager at the Banks’s Stadium on August 8, in a repeat of the final away-day of last term when Athletic lost 2-0.

“I just want to get up and get going,” Kelly told the Chronicle. “Obviously Walsall will be a good, well-organised side like every other in League One. But our main focus is on what we do. I am not overly concerned who we face. The fixtures are out and we can really start planning for them now. I am excited, to say the least.”

The Sky Bet League One fixtures list for 2015-16, released this morning, slate Athletic’s first home game against Fleetwood on August 15, while relegated visit the new-look SportsDirect.com Park on September 26.

A derby clash with big-spending Bury takes place at Gigg Lane on August 29, while Athletic face Rochdale at Spotland on October 24 in a repeat of a game the club won 3-0 last time out.

A reunion with former Athletic manager Lee Johnson, now boss at Barnsley, comes up at SportsDirect.com Park on November 21.

Millwall - also Championship drop-outs - host Athletic in the penultimate game of a season which is rounded off by the visit of Coventry on May 8, 2016.

A first league meeting with promoted Burton is at home on October 31, while fellow new boys Shrewsbury come to SportsDirect.com Park on the third Saturday of the season.

While a trip to Blackpool at Christmas may be an enticing prospect for many, Athletic fans face the prospect of some long midweek trips.

Colchester is the first league Tuesday night game, on August 18; Swindon are hosts on October 20 and a long trip to Southend comes up on April 19.



Ex-Athletic goalkeeper Mark Crossley predicts the club will lose the services of star players this summer.

Now with Chesterfield, Crossley predicts Athletic captain Liam Kelly is a likely target for former Oldham manager Lee Johnson.

“I think Oldham might be losing some of their better players, so it could be even tougher for them,” Crossley told Middlesbrough’s official website.

But Oldham manager Darren Kelly responded: “There’s nothing in it. I am aware of nothing like that.

“I don’t know what Mark is referring to.”

twitter: @Matt_Chambers_