IT’S straight back up North for new Swindon Town manager David Flitcroft after the EFL fixtures revealed that his side would face a long trip to Carlisle United on the opening day (Saturday, August 5) of the 2017/18 Sky Bet League Two season.

Former Barnsley and Bury boss Flitcroft’s first home game in charge will be against Exeter City the following weekend (August 12), which comes just days after the visit to Championship side Norwich City in the Carabao Cup first round clash.

One-time Town manager Mark Cooper, now in charge with newly-promoted Forest Green Rovers, will have home advantage for his first fixture of the campaign against his old club.

Swindon have to travel to the New Lawn on Saturday, September 23 and head to Cheltenham Town’s Whaddon Road ground on Saturday, October 7.

There is an extra fixture in the Christmas schedule to contend with this season; Swindon will open the festive period away at Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, December 23, before hosting Luton Town at The County Ground on Boxing Day.

Town round off what is hoped will be a single season in the bottom tier before promotion when they host Accrington Stanley on Saturday, May 5.