Stafford face festive double header

Stafford kick off life back in the Blue Square North against Farsley Celtic on August 9 at Marston Road - but it will be the festive double clash that most Rangers fans will have their eye on.

Steve Bull's men should be familiar with Farsley, as they both were relegated from the Blue Square Premier last term.

Yet it is the matches on Boxing Day and New Years Day that really whet the appetite, with a double header against much-fancied local rivals AFC Telford.

They meet at Marston Road first and kick off 2009 at New Bucks Head. The Lilywhites are already bookmakers Coral's favourites to win the league next season and finished second last term.

Looking back to the start, Rangers' first away trip comes in the second game of the season, at repreived Vauxhall Motors. The next away game is less appealing, a 184 mile trip to face Workington on the second Saturday of the campaign.

The next away trip is even worse, a 206 mile trip to face Gateshead on September 6.

This is about as bad as it gets for the Rangers faithful, who will be thankful the fixture list gets a little easier easier as the season draws to a close.

The home match against Gateshead comes on April 4, with a short trip to Tamworth on April 11.

Solihull Moors are welcomed to Marston Road on April 13, with a fairly long trip to promoted Fleetwood on April 15.

They finish the season at home to Hinckley United on April 25.