FIXTURE release day is one of those seminal summer occasions when our appetite for the campaign ahead is well and truly whetted.
Who will we get on the opening day? What will the festive programme of matches throw up for us? And who do we face at the 'business' end of the season? These are just a few of the questions that will be asked on Thursday morning.
Everyone will have their own particular fixtures that they will be looking out for, of course, and the first place that you will be able to find out such details is here on www.saddlers.co.uk.
Subscribers to our Official SMS Service will have the key fixtures sent directly to their mobile phone before they appear anywhere else.
Simply text 'CLUB WALS' to 88442 * to join up today.
So, who do you fancy on the opening day of the season? Looking back over recent years, our League Two Championship-winning campaign of 2006/07 started with an away trip to Rochdale as Martin Butler's goal proved to be the difference. Our return to League One saw us start at home as Carlisle United provided the opposition as we shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
We were on the road again in 2008/09 as we headed for a wet and windy Yeovil Town where Jabo Ibehre's debut goal secured a 1-1 draw, whilst last season we basked in the south coast sunshine at Brighton & Hove Albion as Andrew Whing's own goal gave us a winning start.
Interestingly, each of the last two seasons have seen us start away at a team managed by Russell Slade, so what price a trip to his current club, Leyton Orient on Saturday, August 7th?
New faces coming down into League One this term will be Peterborough United, who we last faced during the 2008/09 campaign, Plymouth Argyle, who we haven't faced in League action since 1997/98 despite playing them three times in the League Cup since, and Sheffield Wednesday, who last locked horns with us back in 2004/05.
The promoted clubs consist of Notts County, who will provide welcome local opposition, AFC Bournemouth, who we face for the first time since 2007/08, Rochdale, who we have not met since our League Two Championship campaign, and Dagenham & Redbridge, who we will meet in League action for the very first time. In fact, it was back in November 1977 when we last faced The Daggers in competitive action as Alf Wood's goal gave us FA Cup first round progress against the then non-League outfit.
With some key existing players now signed up and new faces starting to arrive, there is plenty to look forward to in 2010/11. We have some of the cheapest admission prices around allied to some excellent facilities to enhance your matchday experience.
There is plenty to be positive about and in Chris Hutchings and Martin O'Connor we have two men at the helm with experience, drive and a real work ethic.
If you haven't already purchased your season-ticket, what are you waiting for? Existing season-ticket holders have until June 30th to renew their seat(s) before they go on general sale.
Come and be part of the passion; let's work together to ensure that 2010/11, our 20th year at Bescot, is one to remember for all the right reasons.
* Premium SMS subscription is available for UK only. Texts costs 25p/text. For more payment options and full terms and conditions, please click here...
