We're underway, fixtures released!

Next season’s promotion races and survival battles effectively kicked off at 9am on Thursday morning when the fixtures for the new campaign were published on the Ryman League’s official website.

With less than three weeks to go to the big kick-off on Saturday August 9, the fixtures for the 2014-15 seasons of the Ryman League’s Premier, North and South divisions were simultaneously published with those of the Southern League and Northern Premier League on their respective official websites.

Following the release of the draws for the early rounds of the FA Cup and FA Trophy by the Football Association last week, fans, players and officials at the Ryman League’s 72 clubs can now start planning in earnest for the upcoming campaign after running the rule over next season’s schedule, banking and writing off points on paper while weighing up their own prospects and those of their biggest rivals.

Fierce rivalries are renewed and new ones started before the season proper reaches its climax on Saturday April 25 while the opening day’s programme will have fans of all three division smiling and groaning in equal measure.

In the Ryman League's top flight, last season’s runners-up Kingstonian are on the road at Enfield Town, Billerciay host Grays Athletic in an opening day Essex derby and Margate welcome to Hamton & Richmond Borough to Hartsdown Park. In south London, Dulwich lock horns with Harrow Borough at Champion Hill while Maidstone United host the Metropolitan Police at their Gallagher Stadium in Kent.

Promoted Peacehaven & Telscombe and Leatherhead face off against each other again at Fetcham Grove while Tonbridge Angels kick off their return to the Ryman League by hosting another promoted side in VCD Athletic. Elsewhere, AFC Hornchurch entertain East Thurrock United, Canvey Island are at home to Bognor Regis Town, Hendon host Bury Town, Wingate & Finchley welcome Leiston and Witham Town play Lewes at Spa Road.

In Ryman North, Soham Town Rangers are at home to Heybridge Swifts in what will be an early test for the ambitions of both sides as will the clash between Cray Wanderers and AFC Sudbury. Elsewhere, newcomers Brightlingsea Regent travel to Tilbury to make their league debut.

They'll be no trip to Guernsey on the opening day in Ryman South with the Green Lions instead travelling to Chipstead. Whyteleafe, back in the Ryman League, welcome Ramsgate while Carshalton Athletic, relegated from the top flight in April, kick off their efforts to bounce back by hosting Herne Bay at Colston Avenue.

Opening Day Fixtures

Ryman League Premier Division
AFC Hornchurch v East Thurrock United
Billericay Town v Grays Athletic
Canvey Island v Bognor Regis Town
Dulwich Hamlet v Harrow Borough
Enfield Town v Kingstonian
Hendon v Bury Town
Leatherhead v Peacehaven & Telscombe
Maidstone United v Metropolitan Police
Margate v Hampton & Richmond Borough
Tonbridge Angels v VCD Athletic
Wingate & Finchley v Leiston
Witham Town v Lewes

Ryman League Division One North
Aveley v Waltham Abbey
Brentwood Town v Thurrock
Chatham Town v Dereham Town
Cray Wanderers v AFC Sudbury
Maldon & Tiptree v Cheshunt
Needham Market v Great Wakering Rovers
Redbridge v Harlow Town
Romford v Burnham Ramblers
Soham Town Rangers v Heybridge Swifts
Thamesmead Town v Barkingside
Tilbury v Brightlingsea Regent
Wroxham v Ware

Ryman League Division One South
Carshalton Athletic v Herne Bay
Chipstead v Guernsey
Corinthian-Casuals v Sittingbourne
Faversham Town v Worthing
Horsham v South Park
Hythe Town v Burgess Hill Town
Redhill v East Grinstead Town
Three Bridges v Folkestone Invicta
Tooting & Mitcham United v Merstham
Walton Casuals v Hastings United
Whitstable Town v Walton & Hersham
Whyteleafe v Ramsgate