The Season 2016/17 fixtures have been released and clubs and players took to social media to post their reaction to what is one of the most eagerly-anticipated days of the EFL calendar.
All the action kicks off on Friday 5th August when Fulham meet Newcastle United at Craven Cottage in front of the Sky Sports cameras, in the first of 1656 matches.Sky Bet ChampionshipSo it's @NUFC 1st up at the cottage on Friday 5th August..exciting start to the season..can't wait to get going!! 👊🏻 @FulhamFC#FFC#COYW
— Richard Stearman (@the_stears) June 22, 2016
Wolverhampton Wanderers start their campaign on Saturday 6th August away to Rotherham United and defender Matt Doherty tweeted how he's relishing getting back out onto the pitch.
Queens Park Rangers attacker Jamie Mackie was pleased to see his side given a home game first – they host Leeds United on Sunday 7th August live on Sky Sports – and the 30-year-old is now targeting a return to fitness.Fixtures are out now Rotherham away first game can't wait to be back out there with the boys #MD2https://t.co/6na6iuhVAh
— Matt Doherty (@mattdoherty20) June 22, 2016
Huddersfield Town's Nahki Wells was pleased with his side's first batch of games, with the Terriers starting at home to Brentford before August meetings with Newcastle United (A), Aston Villa (A), Barnsley (H) and Wolves (H).MACKIE: #QPR's Jamie Mackie has given his reaction to the #QPRfixtures as he targets a speedy return from injury. pic.twitter.com/fZ0j5I7gM6
— QPR FC (@QPRFC) June 22, 2016
Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson revealed his excitement ahead of the new season after the release of the fixtures, on the club's official website.what a first 6 games for us, so excited for season to start now #htafc#htafcdotcom
— ~ (@SimplyNahki) June 22, 2016
“It’s always exciting when the fixture list comes out and it’s no different this year,” Johnson, whose side start the new campaign with games against newly-promoted pair Wigan Athletic (H) and Burton Albion (A), told bcfc.co.uk.
“It’s a brilliant August, with a complete spectrum of new teams. Wigan and Burton did very well to secure their place in the Championship and then of course we have three games in a row against the teams dropping out of the Premier League.”
Sky Bet League One
There's a full programme of matches in Sky Bet League One on Saturday 6th August to kick the season off and Bolton Wanderers start against Sheffield United after suffering relegation last term.
The pair will clash at the Macron Stadium in a 3pm kick-off but it's not the first time they've met on the opening day of the season...
Elsewhere, Scunthorpe United start at home to newly-promoted Bristol Rovers, and that was welcome news to many Iron fans as well as players, with striker Paddy Madden tweeting his delight and excitement.1905 - Bolton and Sheffield United have met on the opening day once before, in September 1905 (2-1 to Sheffield United). Clash.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 22, 2016
Swindon Town also start on home soil, against Coventry City, and Robins boss Luke Williams is anticipating a good match at SN1.Finally a home game to kick things off, against Bristol Rovers 😁 Now the excitement kicks in #Sufc
— Paddy madden (@Paddymadden) June 22, 2016
He told swindontownfc.co.uk: “Coventry will be a good side. I imagine they’ll be strong and they’re normally a team that play a lot with the ball so it should be a good game.
“I’m very excited and I'm sure all the players are as well. We’ve all had a rest mentally more than anything so we’re ready to go again.”
AFC Wimbledon and Northampton Town are both new to Sky Bet League One after promotion last term and their players took to social media to post their views.
Wombles defender Paul Robinson has his eye on 22nd November, which is when he will come up against former club Millwall, while Cobblers defender David Buchanan is relishing what lies ahead.
Can't wait for the 22nd November 🦁⚽️😉
— Paul 5 Robbo (@Paul5Robbo) June 22, 2016
Sky Bet League TwoAlways feels good when you see the fixtures released.. Can't wait to get back at it now ⚽️💨 #cobblers
— David Buchanan (@_Buchs) June 22, 2016
Blackpool arrive in Sky Bet League Two after relegation last term and Exeter City will be their first opponents, when they visit on Saturday 6th August among a full schedule in the division.
A seaside trip was a popular choice with fans when we asked who they'd like to face on the opening day, and Exeter supporter Luke Compton couldn't hide his delight!
Darren Way guided Yeovil Town to safety in Sky Bet League Two last term and his first full season in charge starts with a home encounter against Notts County.What a way for @OfficialECFC to start the season, little trip to Blackpool. #ECFC
— Luke Compton (@Compo_7) June 22, 2016
The manager released a message after the release of the EFL fixtures, and it's fair to say he's upbeat ahead of 2016/17.
Managers are busy building their squads for the new campaign and defender Joe Wright is a recent recruit at League Two new boys Doncaster Rovers.A message from Manager Darren Way following the release of the new fixture list. #YTFCpic.twitter.com/pL81TVWe4f
— Yeovil Town FC (@YTFC) June 22, 2016
The 21-year-old joined after being released by Huddersfield Town, although he spent time on loan at Accrington Stanley last term, and that's who he and his Rovers team-mates come up against on the opening day.
As well as the opening day, there are plenty of key dates to look forward to throughout the season and Hartlepool United always have one eye on their final away day, as that's the day their fans take to the stands in fancy dress.What an opening fixture 😂👏🏼 buzzing with that #drfc#asfc
— Joe wright (@Joewright47) June 22, 2016
This time around it's Cheltenham Town, which is Pools' penultimate game – and @PoolsPodcast have tweeted a prior warning!
Follow, follow, follow...You have 11 months to prepare for our invasion @CTFCofficial#HUFC#FixtureReleaseDay@Official_HUFC
— Pools Podcast (@poolspodcast) June 22, 2016
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