HEREFORD FC will start their maiden Vanarama National League North season with a home tie against Blyth Spartans on August 4- one of seven league games in the opening month.

It starts a busy August for the Bulls with away trips to Nuneaton Borough, Curzon Ashton, Chorley and Chester while also hosting Leamington and Bradford Park Avenue.

Kidderminster Harriers will be the festive rivals with a home game against the Harriers on Boxing Day while the return leg to Aggborough will take place on New Years Day with the visit of Chester in between the fixtures on December 29.

The last three games will see Hereford host AFC Telford United on April 20 before a trip to fellow promoted side Altrincham before a final game against Boston United.

"It's the old cliche of it doesn't matter when you pick up the points as they are all vital," said Hereford manager Pete Beadle.

"We are starting a week earlier than last year so have got two extra games so it will be a big start. It's nice to get the first home game of the season so hopefully it will be a big crowd and a decent performance early doors.

"We play the same amount of games as everybody else and we just have to take each game as it comes. August is going to be tough but that's why you have pre-season to get ready for it so we can go out and perform.

"If we do that then I have faith in our ability and what we are capable of.

"It's also nice to have a home game on Boxing Day as we have been away the last two years."

Full fixture list: Aug 4 Blyth Spartans (H); August: 7th Nuneaton Borough (A); 11th Curzon Ashton (A); 14th Leamington (H);18th Chorley (A); 25th Bradford Park Avenue (H); 27th Chester (A)

September: 1st York City (H); 8th Brackley Town (A); 15th Ashton United (H); 22nd Emirates FA Cup 2Q; 29th Spennymoor Town (H).

October: 6th Emirates FA Cup 3Q; 13th Stockport County (A) 20th Southport (H); 27th Boston United (A); 30th AFC Telford United (A).

November: 3rd Altrincham (H); 10th FC United Of Manchester (H); 17th Darlington (A); 24th Buildbase FA Trophy 3Q.

December: 1st Alfreton Town (H); 8th Guiseley (A); 15th Buildbase FA Trophy R1; 22nd Bradford Park Avenue (A); 26th Kidderminster Harriers (H); 29th Chester (H).

January:1st Kidderminster Harriers (A); 5th Chorley (H); 12th York City (A);19th Nuneaton Borough (H); 26th Blyth Spartans (A).

February: 2nd Curzon Ashton (H); 9th Leamington (A); 16th Ashton United (A); 23rd Brackley Town (H).

March: 2nd FC United Of Manchester (A); 9th Darlington (H); 16th Alfreton Town (A); 23rd Guiseley (H); 30th Spennymoor Town (A).

April: 6th Stockport County (H); 13th Southport (A); 20th AFC Telford United (H); 22nd Altrincham (A); 27th Boston United (H).