ACCRINGTON Stanley kick-off life in League One at home, entertaining Gillingham on August 4.

John Coleman’s newly promoted Reds’ first away game in the third tier is at Bristol Rovers the following weekend.

And there is a derby to look forward to in the opening month, with a trip to Blackpool on August 25.

Stanley have to wait until December 8 for their first meeting with Sunderland, at the Wham Stadium. They travel to the Stadium of Light on February 16. 

Coleman and Jimmy Bell’s first meeting with former club Rochdale is on November 24, at Spotland, with the home game scheduled for March 16.

Over the Christmas and New Year period, Stanley are at home to Shrewsbury on Boxing Day and travel to Bradford City on New Year’s Day.

They round off the campaign with a trip to Portsmouth on May 4, after hosting Plymouth in their last home game of the season on April 27.