HUDDERSFIELD TOwn kick-off their first Championship season in 11 years on Saturday, August 18, with one of their longest trips - to Cardiff City.

The club played at the City of Cardiff Stadium last season in the League (Carling) Cup and will return there after playing in the first round of that competition against Preston North End (the previous week).

Simon Grayson's promoted side will then face Nottingham Forest in their first home league game on Tuesday, August 21, before entertaining Burnley in their first Galpharm Saturday fixture on August 25.

The big West Yorkshire derbies against Leeds United come on Saturday, December 1, at the Galpharm and Saturday, March 16, at Elland Road.

And Town have cracking matches over Christmas and at Easter.

Grayson's men play Blackpool at home on Boxing Day (Wednesday, December 26) and entertain fellow promotion side Sheffield Wednesday the following Saturday (December 29) before visiting Leicester City on New Year's Day.

At Easter, Town are at home to Hull City on the Saturday (March 30) before making the short journey to Bolton Wanderers on Easter Monday (April 1).

There could be changes to the draft fixture list because of TV commitments, and Town fans should also expect a few early kick-off matches during the campaign.

Town are also inactive on international weekends, which means they have no matches on Saturday, September 8, or Saturday October 13.

The only long trips in succession are to Peterborough and Millwall at the end of October and Town's Operations Director Ann Hough feels the fixture computer has dealt the club an exciting return to the second tier of English football.

"Everyone is excited for the new season and I don't think it's planned out badly for us," she said.

"It's a tough start with the Capital One Cup at Preston and then the first Championship game at Cardiff, but we've then got the two straight home games against Forest and Burnley when the atmosphere here at the Galpharm will be fantastic.

"We'll have big crowds down here for the first home games and our supporters and players will be really up for it, we know that."

In addition to the international breaks, Town don't play in the FA Cup until the third round on Saturday, January 5.

"The games at Christmas are great for us, with Blackpool here on Boxing Day it will be a tremendous occasion," she added.

"Sheffield Wednesday at home the following match is also one everybody will be looking forward to and then Leicester isn't too far for fans to travel at the start of the New Year, before we enter the FA Cup.

"Easter is also good against Hull City and Bolton and it's nice to finish off the season at home against Barnsley, another Yorkshire derby game.

"We've got some great matches and a brilliant season to look forward to and we really can't wait for it all to come around."

See page two for full fixture list