Chester FC will kick-off the 2016/17 season with a trip to Gateshead on Saturday, August 6.

Fixtures for the National League were released at 1pm on Wednesday and the countdown to the new campaign is now on for Blues fans.

Chester's first home game sees them entertain Dagenham & Redbridge, relegated from the Football League, last season on Tuesday, August 9 before hosting Maidstone United, promoted from the National League South, on Saturday, August 13.

This season’s cross-border derbies with Wrexham will take place in September and January.

The first will be at the Racecourse on Saturday, September 24 with the return fixture at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium on Saturday, January 21 with John Rooney sure to be in for a hot reception from Blues supporters after his controversial move to the Dragons.

John Rooney scored against Wrexham last season but made a controversial move to the Racecourse this summer
John Rooney scored against Wrexham last season but made a controversial move to the Racecourse this summer

Chester visit Wirral rivals Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, November 12 with the return game on Saturday, March 4.

Despite a disappointing 2015/16 campaign, new manager Jon McCarthy has kept the nucleus of last season's team together after finishing the season with three straight wins.

He has brought in four new signings to date in Blaine Hudson, Elliott Durrell, Ross Killock and on-loan keeper Liam Roberts with an experienced left-back to become the fifth addition on Wednesday afternoon.

Full fixture list for the 2016/17 season for Chester FC

Sat Aug 6 Gateshead (A)

Tue Aug 9 Dagenham & Redbridge (H)

Sat Aug 13 Maidstone United (H)

Tue Aug 16 Barrow (A)

Sat Aug 20 Boreham Wood (A)

Sat Aug 27 Sutton United (H)

Mon Aug 29 Woking (A)

Sat Sep 3 Forest Green Rovers (H)

Sat Sep 10 Aldershot Town (A)

Tue Sep 13 Guiseley (H)

Sat Sep 17 Braintree Town (H)

Sat Sep 24 Wrexham (A)

Sat Oct 1 Dover Athletic (H)

Tue Oct 4 North Ferriby United (A)

Sat Oct 8 Torquay United (H)

Sat Oct 22 York City (A)

Tue Oct 25 Macclesfield Town (A)

Sat Oct 29 Lincoln City (H)

Sat Nov 12 Tranmere Rovers (A)

Sat Nov 19 Bromley (H)

Tue Nov 22 Southport (H)

Sat Nov 26 Eastleigh (A)

Tue Nov 29 North Ferriby United (H)

Sat Dec 3 Guiseley (A)

Sat Dec 17 Aldershot Town (H)

Mon Dec 26 Solihull Moors (A)

Sun Jan 1 Solihull Moors (H)

Sat Jan 7 Braintree Town (A)

Sat Jan 21 Wrexham (H)

Sat Jan 28 Dover Athletic (A)

Sat Feb 4 Dagenham & Redbridge (A)

Sat Feb 11 Gateshead (H)

Sat Feb 18 Maidstone United (A)

Sat Feb 25 Barrow (H)

Tue Feb 28 Southport (A)

Sat Mar 4 Tranmere Rovers (H)

Sat Mar 11 Lincoln City (A)

Sat Mar 18 Eastleigh (H)

Tue Mar 21 Macclesfield Town (H)

Sat Mar 25 Bromley (A)

Sat Apr 1 Torquay United (A)

Sat Apr 8 York City (H)

Fri Apr 14 Forest Green Rovers (A)

Mon Apr 17 Woking (H)

Sat Apr 22 Sutton United (A)

Sat Apr 29 Boreham Wood (H)