Darlington host relegated Grimsby Town in their League Two curtain-raiser.

The Mariners, managed by former Scarborough boss Russell Slade, have suffered back-to-back relegations.

Quakers, who yesterday confirmed they were reverting to the old club badge for the coming season, face a midweek trek to Yeovil Town three days later.

Rochdale visit the Neasham Road stadium on Boxing Day, before Quakers face another long midweek journey when they travel to promoted Shrewsbury Town two days later.

Scunthorpe United provide the opposition for Quakers' first game of 2005 when they travel to Glanford Park on New Years Day.

On the first day, Conference champions Chester head to Notts County in League Two, who were relegated from the Second Division last season.

Play-off winners Shrewsbury are at home Lincoln.

l Neale Cooper's Hartlepool have a rare home start to the new season in Coca Cola League One.

Pool take on relegated Bradford at Victoria Park, only their third home game on the opening day in ten years.

Their last was a 1-1 draw with Mansfield in August 2001 and only Cardiff in 1998 have been at Pool for the opener since 1993.

Pool go to Sheffield Wednesday on November 20, with Chris Turner making the return on April 16.

Bristol City, who dumped Pool out of the play-offs last season, are at Victoria Park on January 22, with Pool at Ashton Gate, the scene of their late agony, on Tuesday, December 28.

Easter Monday sees Pool go to Blackpool and their season ends with a trek to Bournemouth.

"It's an important game against Bradford. "We want to start the season brightly.

"It's going to be a tricky game against Bradford, who've just come down, so hopefully we'll get a good result."

"It is a busy month but the boys will rather play games than train all of the time; hopefully we won't pick up any injuries during that month though," Cooper added.

Pool are back for pre-season training next Thursday.