With the Ryman League Premier Division fixtures for the forthcoming season having been announced, Heybridge Swifts have been handed some interesting opening fixtures.

They start the season with a home match against newly promoted Hitchin Town on August 14 before travelling to play Enfield on the following Tuesday.

A lucrative home fixture with the strongly supported Aldershot Town takes place on the Saturday of August Bank Holiday weekend with a trip to Dagenham & Redbridge, now managed by former Swifts boss, Gary Hill, on the Monday.

Other key dates are the first visit of former Conference side, Farnborough Town, to Scraley Road, on Saturday, October 23.

Christmas Bank Holiday sees a trip to Essex rivals, Billericay Town, with the return fixture being on Easter Monday.

Swifts renew old rivalries from their Essex Senior League days when they travel across the water to Canvey Island, and in early December with Canvey visiting Heybridge in April.

On October, 9, Heybridge start the 'road to Wembley' in the FA Trophy when Weston -Super-Mare of the Beazer Homes League Midland Division, visit.

The previous Saturday should see Heybridge start in the F A Cup in the second qualifying round but with Swifts exempt to that stage, they will have to wait to find out who their opponents will be.

Football at Scraley Road starts on Tuesday, July 20, when a strong Norwich City side visits.

Another football League side, Leyton Orient, visit Heybridge the following Tuesday, July 27.

Another big friendly will be on Saturday, July 31 when Chelmsford City are taken on.

Visits to Witham Town, AFC Sudbury and Wivenhoe Town complete the friendlies.

Swifts early season fixtures are: July 10: Reserves away to Arlesford; July 20: first team home to Norwich City; July 24: first team away to Wivenhoe Town; July 24: reserves away to Stanway Rovers; July 27: first team home to Leyton Orient; July 27: reserves away to Maldon Town; July 31: first team home to Chelmsford City; July 31: reserves away to Wivenhoe Town; August 4: first team away to Witham Town; August 4: reserves home to Essex Police; August 7: first team away to AFC Sudbury; August 7: reserves away to Concord Rangers.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.