Stevenage away fits bill for Johnson

ATHLETIC boss Lee Johnson reckons the team’s opening-day trip to Stevenage on August 3 will serve as a perfect introduction to life in League One for his new players.

Athletic will be hopeful of winning three points to kick off the season in style.

“It is a good game for us,” said Johnson, who has picked out the visit to his former club Bristol on November 2 and a midweek clash with Wolves on October 22 as personal highlights of the new schedule.

“Stevenage are a tough side. They will be physical and they get in your face. It really is welcome to League One for our lads, especially the new ones. You couldn’t wish for a better game from that point of view.”

After the Capital One Cup first-round tie against Derby County in early August, Athletic are back in league action at home to Walsall on August 10.

An opening month that has fallen kindly for Athletic continues with a trip to relegated Championship club Peterborough and two more home games, against newly-promoted Port Vale and Tranmere.

On Boxing Day Johnson’s men are away to Sheffield United, followed by a trip to Coventry on December 29, then a New Year’s Day home clash with Shrewsbury.

On Good Friday Athletic go to Colchester, then two days later face Coventry at home. The season ends with a clash at home to Notts County on May 3.

Other highlights in today’s list include the club’s first visit to Rotherham’s New York stadium on September 14, and the away-day at promotion favourites Preston on September 7.