Holmes ready for season openers

Salisbury must travel on the opening day of the new season

Salisbury City boss Nick Holmes believes his side have been given a tough start to the new Blue Square Premier season but is excited by it.

The Whites begin their third campaign in the league with a trip to Rushden & Diamonds on 8 August.

Home matches against Kidderminster and Mansfield Town then follow.

"That's what the league is all about now. They're all good teams, some of the favoured teams. Bring them on!" Holmes told BBC Wiltshire.

Salisbury also face two of the promoted sides in August, with trips to AFC Wimbledon and Hayes & Yeading.

Holmes said he is looking forward to hosting one of the division's biggest clubs, Luton Town, early on in the season.

I look at the fixtures a little bit closer now as far as the financial aspect goes

Nick Holmes

The Hatters, who were relegated from League Two last term, visit Wiltshire on 5 September and the Whites boss hopes the match will generate a big crowd and a money-spinning afternoon for the club.

"Getting Luton quite early on is a plus," he said. "That'll mean the holidaymakers should be back and we know Luton will bring down quite a few people and we should get good support for that one.

"I look at the fixtures a little bit closer now as far as the financial aspect goes."

Salisbury will play Forest Green Rovers twice over Christmas. The teams will meet in Gloucestershire on Boxing Day and then at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium on New Year's Day.

Oxford visit in between and Holmes is sure there will be a bumper crowd on 28 December.

The season concludes with a home match with Kettering on 24 April.