ST HELENS Town begin their 1997-98 campaign with a repeat of last season's opener when Salford City come to Hoghton Road.

Again, as last year, luck has favoured Town as they set out for Wembley on two fronts -namely the Littlewoods FA Cup and Carlsberg FA Vase.

Home draws against Yorkshire opposition are the outcome as, first, the world's oldest cluib, Sheffield FC, visit Hoghton Road in an FA Cup preliminary round tie on Saturday, August 30.

Then, on September 6, Ossett Town are the opponents in the FA Vase first qualifying round.

Boss Jimmy McBride is already putting his charges through their paces with just less than a month to go to the new season. But his preparations have been affected by the managerial merry-go-round.

Pre-season friendlies against Everton and Stockport County, although pencilled in, have had to be shelved as new administration settle in a both clubs.

Dave Jones' departure from the Edgeley Park club to Southampton has broken Mr McBride's link, while the protracted managerial appointment at Goodison Park has left pre-season time at a premium.

But it is hoped the Toffees can oblige sometime during the season as Town celebrate 50 completed seasons at Hoghton Road.

Even so, Town have ample loosening-up opportunities with a handful of pre-season games, commencing with the visit of Runcorn on Saturday, August 2 (3pm).

Meanwhile, Towns full fixture list, subject to revision due to FA competitions, includes:

August: 16 Salford City H; 20 Atherton Collieries H; 23 Nantwich Town A; 26 Mossley A; 30 Sheffield (FA Cup) H.

September: 3 Kidsgrove Athletic H; 6 Ossett Town (FA Vase) H; 10 Atherton LR H; 13 Darwen H; 17 Burscough H; 20 Ramsbottom United A; 24 Prescot Cables A; 27 Vauxhall GM H; 30 Holker OB A.

October: 4 Rossendale United A or Nettleham (FA Vase) H; 11 Chadderton H; 25 Maine Road H.

November: 1 Blackpool Rovers A; 8 Newcastle Town H; 15 Glossop North End A; 22 Clitheroe H; 29 Haslingden A.

December: 6 Warrington Town H; 13 Burscough A; 20 Holker OB H; 26 Prescot Cables H; 29 Atherton LR A.

1998

January:3 Salford City A; 10 Nantwich Town H; 17 Kidsgrove Athletic A; 24 Mossley H; 31 Darwen A.

February: 7 Ramsbottom United H; 14 Vauxhall GM A; 21 Rossendale United H; 28 Chadderton A.

March: 7 Atherton Collieries A; 14 Maine Road A; 21 Blackpool Rovers H; 28 Newcastle Town A.

April: 4 Glossop North End H; 11 Clitheroe A; 18 Haslingden H; 25 Warrington Town A.

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