Town's fixtures for next season revealed
IPSWICH Town's fixtures for what could well be a defining season for the club's ambitions were announced today.
Stuart Watson
IPSWICH Town's fixtures for what could well be a defining season for the club's ambitions were announced today.
The weight of expectancy lies firmly on Jim Magilton's shoulders to build upon last season's eighth place finish and take the Suffolk club back into the Premier League following the investment of Marcus Evans' millions.
Town kick-off their 2008/9 campaign against Preston on August 9 at home, before travelling to Burnley a week later. A home fixture against Wolves follows, before a trip to Watford concludes the first month of the new season.
The fiercely fought East Anglian derbies against Norwich will come on December 6 (away) and April 18 (home), the latter fixture coming just three games before the end-of-the-season.
Other key dates see Ipswich host newly relegated Birmingham on Boxing Day, while the final two games of the season come against Cardiff (away) and Coventry (home) respectively.
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The exact dates of a number of these matches could still change however once broadcasters settle on their schedules for the season.
Meanwhile, newly relegated Colchester United today learnt their League One fixture list for the 2008/9 campaign.
The U's kick-start their attempt to bounce straight back into the Championship with a long trip to Hartlepool on August 9, before the new Weston Homes Community Stadium plays host to its first ever competitive game with the visit of Huddersfield on August 16.
The Essex side's opening month of the season then concludes with a trip to Swindon (August 23), before the visit of Oldham on August 30.
Relegation has meant that Colchester will renew their Essex rivalry with Southend United next season, the respective derby fixtures coming on November 1 (away) and February 21 (home).
Other significant fixtures see Colchester travel to Brighton on Boxing Day, before travelling to newly promoted Leyton Orient just two days later.
Geraint Williams' side's final run-in sees them visit Hereford on April 18, host Peterborough on April 25, while their final game of the season is at Yeovil on May 2.
