Another season has been completed and for Chester FC supporters the 2015-16 campaign won't be remembered with much fondness.
Things started well enough with the Blues picking up 12 points in the opening month but results and performances soon tailed off as pre-season hopes of a top-half finish faded.
A run of three wins in 22 games saw the club dragged into a relegation battle and with no sign of improvement, Steve Burr was sacked in April after more than two years in charge .
Jon McCarthy took charge for the final four matches and together with Ian Sharps guided the Blues to three victories, including a fine 2-1 win at Grimsby Town, to secure the club's National League status.
Ex-Northern Ireland winger McCarthy was appointed on a permanent basis on May 7 and confirmed Sharps as his number two with the pair now hard at work preparing for the new season.
And with contract extensions, pre-season fixtures and the prospect of new arrivals, the excitement is beginning to build for 2016-17 as the countdown to the new season begins.
When are the fixtures out?
The National League have confirmed that the fixtures across the three divisions are planned to be released on Wednesday, July 6. Based on previous seasons, the fixtures will be released at 12 noon or 1pm.
The first dates Chester fans will be looking out for will be the two meetings with arch rivals Wrexham after mixed fortunes in last season's cross-border derbies and, following two disappointing performances last term, the fixtures with Tranmere Rovers will offer a chance for for a first league win against the Prenton Park club since October 1990.
When does the season start?
The 2016-17 campaign will begin on Saturday, August 6.
Chester have been handed home games on the opening day for the past two seasons, beating Braintree Town 1-0 last term with a goal from Johnny Hunt , so the Blues could be due a road trip to kick-off the 2016-17 campaign.
LOOK: Action from Chester's win over Braintree Town on the opening day of the 2015-16 season
Which teams will be in the division?
Along with the 17 other clubs that were in the division last term, the Blues will face six new opponents: relegated Dagenham & Redbridge and York City, and promoted Maidstone United, North Ferriby United, Solihull Moors and Sutton United.
READ: Blues know next season's opponents after thrilling weekend of play-off action
The National League line-up 2016-17
Aldershot Town, Barrow AFC, Boreham Wood, Braintree Town, Bromley, Chester, Dagenham & Redbridge, Dover Athletic, Eastleigh, Forest Green Rovers, Gateshead, Guiseley, Lincoln City, Macclesfield Town, Maidstone United, North Ferriby United, Solihull Moors, Southport, Sutton United, Torquay United, Tranmere Rovers, Woking, Wrexham, York City.
