Rangers go to Hyde in season opener

Chris Brindley's side go to Ewen Fields on August 8 against a Tigers side who finished last term in the last relegation spot, only to win a reprieve when Kings Lynn were demoted after their ground failed to meet league standards.

Rangers' first home game of the season comes the following Tuesday, with promoted Corby the visitors to Marston Road.

Graham Drury's side are playing in the league for the first time after winning the Southern League title in 2008/09.

Another home game follows on the Saturday against Workington before a trip to Redditch, Farsley Celtic at home and Vauxhall Motors away complete the first six games.

Five of those opponents finished below the top ten last season, with Farsley one of only two to finish below Rangers.

Brindley knows a good start is crucial to any team and - with the level of competition in front of them - it is not beyond reach.

He said: "The first five or six games, as they always are, will be pretty important. We are playing teams that were down there struggling with us last year, so it's important that we pick up points to pull away from that.

"We will playing some of the bigger names after that, and we don't want to go against them still searching for points."

Another tough Christmas schedule awaits Brindley's men although the fans have something to look forward to - for the second season in succession Rangers play AFC Telford on Boxing Day and New Years Day.

But this time, a trip to the New Bucks Head awaits first, before the return game at Marston Road opens 2010.

'The squeaky bum' time of the last sequence of fixtures has also not been particularly unkind either.

Rangers play Vauxhall Motors, Solihull Moors, promoted Gloucester, Gainsborough before the seasons ends at Workington on April 24.

Brindley dare not look that far ahead.

He added: "I am not thinking about the last sequence of fixtures, any manager will you that you never look further than October in football. Most bosses these days don't get to the end of the season!

"We will just be taking each game as it comes."