So now we know.
Chester FC will begin their 2017/18 Vanarama National League season with a trip to Damson Park to take on Solihull Moors.
The fixtures were revealed at 1pm and the full list of who the Blues fans and when can be found HERE.
Yes, yes, we know we have to play everyone twice, and we know months that look tough on paper could turn out to be anything but and vice versa.
But that will not stop us from poring over the fixtures today and in the weeks leading up to the big kick-off at Solihull Moors on Saturday, August 5.
So, to help, we have picked out some of the key dates and key talking points RIGHT HERE.
Opening day fixtures in full
AFC Fylde v Boreham Wood
Bromley v Eastleigh
Dagenham and Redbridge v Barrow AFC
FC Halifax Town v Aldershot Town
Guiseley v Ebbsfleet United
Hartlepool United v Dover Athletic
Maidstone United v Maidenhead United
Solihull Moors v Chester FC
Sutton United v Leyton Orient
Torquay United v Tranmere Rovers
Woking v Gateshead
Wrexham v Macclesfield Town
Away day start
All you need to know about the 2017/18 fixtures is RIGHT HERE.
Here are the full fixtures for Chester FC
Sat Aug 5 Solihull Moors A
Tue Aug 8 AFC Fylde H
Sat Aug 12 FC Halifax Town H
Tue Aug 15 Hartlepool United A
Sat Aug 19 Sutton United H
Sat Aug 26 Aldershot Town A
Mon Aug 28 Macclesfield Town H
Sat Sep 2 Torquay United A
Sat Sep 9 Ebbsfleet United H
Tue Sep 12 Gateshead A
Sat Sep 16 Dover Athletic A
Sat Sep 23 Maidenhead United H
Sat Sep 30 Eastleigh A
Tue Oct 3 Woking H
Sat Oct 7 Tranmere Rovers A
Sat Oct 14 Emirates FA Cup 4Q
Sat Oct 21 Boreham Wood H
Tue Oct 24 Barrow H
Sat Oct 28 Maidstone United A
Sat Nov 4 Emirates FA Cup 1
Sat Nov 11 Wrexham H
Sat Nov 18 Bromley A
Tue Nov 21 Leyton Orient A
Sat Nov 25 Dagenham and Redbridge H
Sat Dec 2 AFC Fylde A Emirates FA Cup 2
Sat Dec 9 Solihull Moors H
Sat Dec 16 Buildbase FA Trophy 1
Sat Dec 23 FC Halifax Town A
Tue Dec 26 Guiseley H
Sat Dec 30 Hartlepool United H
Mon Jan 1 Guiseley A
Sat Jan 6 Ebbsfleet United A Emirates FA Cup 3
Sat Jan 13 Buildbase FA Trophy 2
Sat Jan 20 Gateshead H
Sat Jan 27 Maidenhead United A Emirates FA Cup 4
Sat Feb 3 Dover Athletic H Buildbase FA Trophy 3
Sat Feb 10 Woking A
Sat Feb 17 Eastleigh H Emirates FA Cup 5
Tue Feb 20 Leyton Orient H
Sat Feb 24 Dagenham and Redbridge A Buildbase FA Trophy 4
Sat Mar 3 Bromley H
Sat Mar 10 Wrexham A
Sat Mar 17 Aldershot Town H Emirates FA Cup 6/Buildbase FA Trophy Semi-Final 1
Sat Mar 24 Sutton United A Buildbase FA Trophy Semi-Final 2
Fri Mar 30 Torquay United H
Mon Apr 2 Macclesfield Town A
Sat Apr 7 Tranmere Rovers H
Sat Apr 14 Boreham Wood A
Sat Apr 21 Maidstone United H Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final
Sat Apr 28 Barrow A
20 minutes to go
We’ve received the fixtures ahead of their 1pm release. All will be revealed shortly.
Key cup dates
FA Cup fourth qualifying round - Saturday, October 14.
FA Cup first round - Saturday, November 4.
FA Cup second round - Saturday, December 2.
FA Cup third round - Saturday, January 6.
FA Trophy first round - Saturday, December 16.
FA Trophy second round - Saturday, January 13.
FA Trophy third round - Saturday, February 3.
FA Trophy fourth round - Saturday, February 24.
FA Trophy semi final (first leg) - Saturday, March 17.
FA Trophy semi final (second leg) - Saturday, March 24.
FA Trophy final - Sunday, May 20.
When does the season start?
This is something that we can confirm prior to 1pm, thankfully. The Vanarama National League 2017/18 campaign begins on Saturday, August 5.
A packed festive schedule
Blues players and supporters better brace themselves for a packed festive schedule.
As there is set to be up to five games in the space of two weeks over the Christmas and New Year period.
There are definitely league fixtures scheduled for Saturday, December 23, Boxing Day (Tuesday, December 26), Saturday, December 30 and New Year’s Day (Monday, January 1).
And, should Chester progress to the third round for the first time since the club reformed, they will be in FA Cup action on Saturday, January 6.
If not, they are likely to be in league combat on the same day.
It’s in stark contrast to last season when Jon McCarthy’s men played just two games over the festive period and one on the first weekend after New Year.
Who do you fancy?
A home game? A long away day in the sunshine? A local trip?
Wherever the Blues begin, a good start to this season is imperative.
Hope it's better than last year
Last year Chester started their campaign with a 3-0 loss at Gateshead.
On a hot day at the International Stadium, the Blues were undone by the Heed in the second half and were second best for long periods.
The day is finally here!
It’s been a long summer but football is back on the agenda once again and today we learn who Chester FC will face in the 2017/18 Vanarama National League season and when.
Last season ended on a sour note with a miserable run of form, but some shrewd summer business has seen an air of positivity return to the Blues and season ticket sales look set to surpass the 1,100 mark in the very near future.
Chester, along with the rest of the league, have already been able to cast their eyes over the fixture list but fans will have to wait a little while longer with the announcement set for 1pm.
