2009/10 FIXTURE LIST - CLICK HERE

Southend United boss Steve Tilson is really looking forward to the start of the new season now the fixture list is out.

At 10am this morning supporters learnt on southendunited.co.uk who the Blues would be facing in the opening stages of the new Coca-Cola League One campaign.

And Tilson admitted it will be a difficult start to the season.

"When the fixtures come out and you can see who you are playing then it builds the excitement," said the Southend boss.

"We've a difficult start as you would expect Huddersfield, Walsall, Millwall and Swindon to all have play-off aspirations.

"And then Wycombe Wanderers have just come up from League Two so they are an unknown also."

The stand out fixture though of the opening month is the visit of Huddersfield Town on the opening day of the season.

Former defender Peter Clarke moved to the Terriers last week but will play his first game for Huddersfield at the stadium he just left.

"It's funny how these things happen," said Tilson. "I'm sure the supporters will look forward to that and it will be good for Peter to be able to say goodbye to everyone properly.

"But once the whistle goes all the happy clappy stuff will have to go out of the window."

For once the fixture list has proved kind to Southend supporters with only one long trek on a Tuesday night to Tranmere Rovers, something which has pleased the United boss.

"Our support on the road is always tremendous so it's good to see the fixture computer be kind to them," he added.

"The Christmas period has been kind also, a Boxing Day game against Colchester is about as good as they come."

The current fixture list is provisional, with clubs having a week to agree any changes. Keep an eye on southendunited.co.uk over the next few days for further details.

For a full fixture list for the new 2009/10 season click here.