WANDERERS will kick off the new season at home to manager John Gorman's former club Carlisle United on August 6.

The Cumbrians came up via the play-offs last season after one year in the Conference and will provide the first test for the Wycombe manager's new-look side.

Gorman was part of the Cumbrians side which won promotion to the top flight in 1974 and which topped the division for six games.

Gorman said: "I'm really looking forward to it. I had five or six really great years at Carlisle and played probably my best football of my career there. I always look out for their results now. They were great days and we were a really special side."

Carlisle were also the first team Wanderers ever faced in the Football League 12 years ago and fans will be hoping that is an omen because that season Wycombe went up.

The Carlisle game is just the first in a tough start for Wanderers who then face away games at Rochdale, who took four points off them last season, and then at local rivals and new signing Tommy Mooney's old club Oxford United on August 13.

Gorman said: "It is a tough start but every game is going to be tough. People have made us second favourites in this league but that doesn't mean a thing.

"Every point has got to be played for. No one gives you respect. We found out last year that playing Cambridge who were relegated was just as tough as playing Yeovil who were the champions."

Blues have been installed as second favourites behind Northampton Town for the League Two title and the pair first lock horns on September 3 when Colin Calderwood's team are the visitors to Adams Park, although that fixture could be subject to change with England playing Wales in a World Cup qualifier on the same day.

Conference champions Barnet are the visitors to Adams Park on September 17 with the return at Underhill coming on January 21.

Travelling Blues fans won't be looking forward to November though when they face long trips to Darlington and Carlisle with just a home game against Grimsby sandwiched in between.

And the players will have to spend Christmas night holed up in a hotel after Blues were dealt a Boxing Day fixture against Torquay. The team will be back in the westcountry again on New Year's Eve when they visit Bristol Rovers.

Darlington will be the last visitors of the season with Blues visiting relegated Peterborough on the last day on May 6.