Many outsiders think that the football season starts in the first couple of weeks of August. Not so, as most seasoned fans know well. The season really starts when the league fixtures are released. From that point onwards things flow thick and fast. The Coca Cola Cup makes its usual unimportant draw followed by the start of pre-season friendlies which act as a slow tease to the season proper.
Of course, this time of year feels like a million miles away from standing in the pouring rain at some god forsaken ground down south (aka anywhere south of Chesterfield) in the middle of January. But even now we realise that the opening day fixture at Bristol City has some discussion points. Weren't we just there a few weeks ago? Have they knocked the stand down yet? How many tickets will we get? Crap, better get that season ticket early after all to make sure I get an away ticket!
So the first game, last game (Tranmere away) and Boxing Day games (Forest away, I spot a pattern here!) have all been inspected. Next, derby games. For me the away games at Scunthorpe and Rotherham are the big two (Jan21 and Dec31 respectively) followed by Barnsley (Sep24) and Oldham (Nov12) as I work there.
Finally, its the moment of dread. Checking the midweek fixtures, as well as any games that might coincide with work. And its good news and bad news. Chesterfield away is only an hour away and provides no problems for Donny locals. However Gillingham in December will find much more favour with the southern exiles.
So, let the dreaming begin. A couple more signings and the big kick off, against Billingham Symphonia of course and another famous chapter in the history of Doncaster Rovers is about to be written. Or it could be another season of mid-table mediocrity.