Relegated Chester are New Year's visitors

The Bulls visit the Deva Stadium on Boxing Day and City come to Edgar Street on New Year's Day.

United last met the Blues in the ill-fated 1996-97 season, when the Bulls were relegated from Division 3, while Chester suffered a similar fate on the final day of last season.

Unibond League champions Leigh RMI, from Lancashire, visit Edgar Street for the first time ever on Tuesday, September 26, with the return fixture on Saturday, March 24.

And the Bulls have their first ever encounters with Essex side Dagenham & Redbridge, promoted as champions of the Ryman League, on September 30 (away) and March 17 (home).

The third promoted side, Dr Martens League winners Boston United, of Lincolnshire, Southern League rivals of United in the 1950s-60s, come to Edgar Street on November 25, with the reverse fixture on May 5.

Hereford are exempt to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup which will be played on Saturday, October 28.

They are also exempt from the FA Umbro Trophy until the third round stage, which will be played Saturday, January 13.

l Kington Town, Pegasus Juniors, Ross Town and Westfields make up the county contingent in the FA Carlsberg Vase and all go into the second qualifying round on Saturday, September 23.

Westfields are the only club of the quartet to gain a home draw and will be hosts to Sandwell Borough, while Kington travel to Tividale and Pegasus make the trip to Cradley Town.

Ross will visit Swindon Supermarine, the team who beat them in the final of the Cherry Red Records Challenge Cup last season.

Hereford and Pegasus also compete in the FA Youth Challenge Cup and have both been drawn away in their opening ties.

Pegasus meet Holwell Sports in the first qualifying round, to be played by September 2, while the Bulls face Pershore Town in the second qualifying round, to be played by September 23.

Herefordshire travel to Norfolk in the first round of the FA County Youth Cup, to be played by October 7.