Oxford City manager Mike Ford says he can’t wait for the season to start after learning they will host highly-fancied Chester when their Blue Square Bet North campaign kicks off on August 18.

City were hoping to avoid their home games coinciding with neighbours Oxford United and the fixture list has been fairly kind, with only six dates clashing with the U’s.

City travel to local rivals Brackley Town on Boxing Day and host the Northamptonshire club in the return on New Year’s Day.

Ford said his side could not have been given a better start to their new adventure.

“It’s brilliant, we are absolutely chuffed about it,” said Ford.

“I was hoping it would either be Chester or Halifax Town as our first game with the obvious increase in the crowd and a big away support.

“When you see the fixtures, it really hits home the level that we are now playing at.

“They are both formerleague clubs with fantastic heritages.

“I haven’t really thought about any fixtures clashes. I just looked at the first three or four and the Christmas fixtures.

“Playing Brackley on New Year’s Day should increase the gate.

“We have Workington away on February 9 (a round-trip of 544 miles), which is my birthday, so that’s a treat for me.”

Ford added: “The players are back in for training on Thursday and they won’t need much incentive to make sure that they are in the squad for the opening day game.

“We’ll need a big effort from everyone; the players, the management and the committee to make sure we stay in it.

“I’m just really looking forward to it.

“I remember going to Boston United with Oxford United years ago, so there’s some famous names in there.

“I have heard reports that Conference North is more physical and more direct than the Southern League.

“But we’ll go and watch these teams before the start of the season to see what we can expect.”

Meanwhile, Oxford City goalkeeper Jason Mooney has been taken on trial by Blue Square Bet Premier side Cambridge United.