Stanley will encounter some familiar opposition early in the new season following the publication of next season’s fixture list.

The Reds’ League Two campaign gets under way with a difficult start at Football League new boys Newport County AFC.

Justin Edinburgh’s side came up last month after winning the Conference Premier play-offs.

The match at Rodney Parade on Saturday, August 3, is part of the Football League’s 125th anniversary fixtures.

Stanley then travel to Middlesbrough in the first round of the Capital One Cup three days later.

Current Accrington striker James Gray is a former youth team scholar at Middlesbrough and will no doubt be hoping to impress his former team when the two sides meet in the competition.

August 10 brings Stanley’s first home game of the season and sees boss James Beattie up against some familiar faces.

The former Southampton striker will once again renew South Coast rivalries when Portsmouth are the visitors to the Store First Stadium.

Then, in September, the Reds come up against not one, but two former bosses when they travel to Chesterfield.

The Spireites are fancied by many for promotion and are embarking on their first full campaign under former Reds manager Paul Cook – who then recruited his replacement, Leam Richardson, to work as his number two at the Proact

Stadium.

Two weeks after the trip to Derbyshire is a home game against a Rochdale side looking to build again under Keith Hill – who returned to Spotland following the exits of former Stanley management duo John

Coleman and Jimmy Bell.

Other highlights include a Boxing Day home game against a York City team whose return to the Football League last season saw them involved in a relegation struggle before finishing the season in 17th place – one spot above the Reds.

The Christmas period also includes a home game against Southend United on December 29 before Stanley head to the Highbury Stadium on New Year’s Day to face Fleetwood Town.

The season ends on home turf as AFC?Wimbledon – who finished last season two points ahead of the bottom two – visit the Store First Stadium on Saturday, May 3.