Peter Taylor will see plenty of familiar faces in the opening weeks of the new npower League Two campaign.

Three of City’s first four home games are against sides that have previously been managed by their boss.

League new boys Stevenage provide the first Valley Parade opposition on the second Saturday. Southend and Gillingham will also be heading north before the end of September.

City have been handed a tough-looking start with a first-day trip to Shrewsbury on August 7.

The newly-named Greenhous Meadow, formerly the ProStar Stadium, was the stage for one of the most impressive results last season when goals from Gareth Evans and Michael Flynn clinched a 2-1 away success.

But Taylor’s troops can expect a serious examination in Shrewsbury’s first official outing under new manager Graham Turner.

The vastly-experienced Turner left Hereford at the end of last season, returning to the club where he played and then took his first steps in management between 1978 and 1984.

With the influx of southern-based sides into the division, City face more than 700 extra miles on the motorway. But at least they get the longest journey out the way quickly with the trip to Torquay on August 21.

Oxford, back in the league after winning the Blue Square Premier play-offs, visit Valley Parade on October 30 with former City loan goalkeeper Simon Eastwood between the posts.

The City board will be pleased with the potential windfall from a Boxing Day home game against Chesterfield. But the Bantams must travel to see in the new year at Lincoln’s Sincil Bank.

City go to Chesterfield’s new stadium in January and Morecambe’s in March.

Easter Saturday could see a mass invasion on Accrington if the season is going to plan.

And Crewe will once again bring down the curtain. Hopefully Valley Parade will be celebrating by then.