HEREFORD United kick-off their Nationwide Conference season with two tough games when they entertain Farnborough Town this Saturday and then visit Forest Green on Tuesday.
Bulls boss Graham Turner expects Farnborough to provide a stern physical challenge and said: "They have signed two big strikers in Ken Charlery and Joff Vansittart, and both will need watching. They also have a couple of big defenders and generally there is a lot of experience through the side."
Charlery was one of the league's top scorers last season with Boston & Dagenham, and Vansittart found the target regularly with Dover.
Last season honours were shared as United won 4-2 at Edgar Street and Farnborough won by the same margin at home.
United will come up against an old Edgar Street favourite at Forest Green - 37-year-old striker Neil Grayson, a closed-season signing from Cheltenham Town.
Last season the teams shared two draws.
With the exception of midfielder Ben Smith and striker Scott Voice, Turner will select from a full squad.
He said: "It is important that we start well and I hope the enthusiasm and tremendous team spirit built up in our pre-season preparations are repeated on the field."
United have signed trialist Steve Guinan on a short-term contract and have offered terms to former England international Andy Sinton, recently released by Wolves.
The club received a financial boost with confirmation that their game at Woking will be shown live on Sky television. The match, originally scheduled for September 7, will take place on September 9, and the home match against Northwich will be switched to October 15.
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