HEREFORD United will have the chance to renew acquaintance with some old - and some more recent - friends in Coca-Cola League 2 this season.

The two promoted clubs from the Conference, Dagenham & Redbridge and Morecambe, were opponents in two of Hereford's most memorable wins of recent seasons.

Few who were there, or who saw it on television, will ever forget United's incredible 9-0 success at Dagenham back in 2003-4.

David Brown banged in a hat-trick for Hereford that night while Steve Guinan, now happily back in Bulls' colours, scored twice.

Morecambe were the last opponents to visit Edgar Street when United were a Conference club and their play-off semi-final provided many a thrill before Guy Ipoua powered through to strike the winner in a 3-2 victory for the Bulls.

The Bulls will face three journeys north to take on the teams relegated from League 1 season when they play at Bradford City, Rotherham and Chesterfield.

But the other relegated side, Brentford, are very much casual acquaintances for the Bulls as the sides have met in cup but not league action.

In 1993-4 Brentford knocked Hereford out of the Associate Members Cup, repeating a feat they had first achieved three seasons previously when they also beat United over two legs in the League Cup.

Rotherham, who are the first visitors to Edgar Street on the opening day of the season, have paid infrequent journeys to Hereford over the years.

The sides have only been in the same division on four occasions in United's 26-season league history.

Their last visit to Hereford was in 1991-2 when United gained a 1-0 win, achieving some measure of revenge for one of their heaviest league defeats, a 6-0 spanking at Millmoor three seasons previously.

Bradford City were fairly frequent opponents during the early stages of United's first spell in the league but the sides have not met since 1981-2 when the Yorkshire club began a climb which would eventually take them to the Premiership.

Hereford have won five of the 12 matches between the sides and Bradford four with the other three drawn.

While Hereford have had the better of matches against Bradford, it is a different story in matches against the other relegated side, Chesterfield.

United have lost on nine of their 12 visits to Saltergate with their only success a 3-2 win in 1975-6 when the Bulls were on their way to winning the old Division 3 title.

Matters have, however, been shaded by United at Edgar Street with the Bulls winning seven of the 12 clashes with their Derbyshire opponents taking the honours on the other five occasions.