A ROUND trip measuring 472 miles lies in wait for Braintree Town’s first ever fixture in the top flight of the non-league football ladder.

The Iron will start their first Blue Square Bet Premier campaign with a trip up the A1 to visit Darlington on the opening day - Saturday August 13.

They then return home to entertain Grimsby Town on Tuesday August 16 and then Mansfield Town on Saturday, August 20.

At Christmas, Town will be visiting Cambridge United on Boxing Day and welcoming the Newmarket Road club to Cressing Road for the return on New Year’s Day.

On Easter Sunday, it will be big hitters, or hatters, Luton Town followed by Ebbsfleet United on Easter Monday.

Braintree finish their season at Wrexham on Saturday April 28.

The opening day fixtures are as follows:

AFC Telford United v Luton Town

Barrow v Tamworth

Darlington v Braintree Town

Ebbsfleet United v York City

Forest Green Rovers v Stockport County

Grimsby Town v Fleetwood Town

Hayes & Yeading United v Alfreton Town

Kettering Town v Newport County

Kidderminster Harriers v Gateshead

Mansfield Town v Bath City

Southport v Lincoln City

Wrexham v Cambridge United