BRISTOL Rovers have a bumper start to life back in the Football League after the fixtures were announced on Wednesday.

Rovers can already expect a bumper crowd for their prime Capital One Cup first round clash with Championship outfit Birmingham City in the second week of August following that competition’s draw on Tuesday.

But the League Two fixtures have given them another mouth-watering couple of early fixtures to kick-off the new campaign.

It is possible for Rovers to get off to a flying start in the opening day match at home to Northampton Town. That fixture takes place on Saturday August 8 before the midweek date with Birmingham.

Then Rovers are sure to take a massive following a few miles south to Somerset for their big South West derby with Yeovil Town at Huish Park on Saturday August 15.

And, in a hectic month, Rovers go to Luton Town on Tuesday August 18 before a home date with Barnet on the following Saturday.

Then, in the last match of their six-game August schedule, they go to Leyton Orient on Saturday August 29.

Other big fixtures for Rovers are cross-border derbies with Newport County, the first of these at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday October 24 with the return on Saturday March 19.

Rovers finish off their season on Saturday May 7 at home to Dagenham & Redbridge.