PHIL Parkinson is expecting a stern test when City travel to Swindon for their League One opener.

The fixtures were published today and the Bantams face a trip to the County Ground on Saturday, August 8 before successive home matches against newly-promoted Shrewsbury and Gillingham.

City then face a Yorkshire derby against Barnsley at Oakwell before a fifth league game in August at home to Port Vale.

Parkinson’s men could play as many as seven games in August if they progress into the second round of the Capital One Cup.

Swindon reached the League One play-off final last term, where they lost 4-0 to Preston at Wembley, and Parkinson is wary of their threat.

The City boss said: “Swindon had a good season last year, so it will be a good test to start with.

“The division is very northern-based this year, with Blackpool and Wigan going down and Bury coming up, which is going to make for a really exciting league in terms of away fans.

“That’s our fans going away to follow us and away fans coming to Valley Parade to support the opposition.

“I think the crowds in this division are going to be as good as they have been for a long time because there are so many local derbies.

“It’s a tough start at Swindon but we then have two games in quick succession as the matches come thick and fast.

“Shrewsbury are newly promoted and Gillingham are our old adversaries really having gone up with us in 2013, so we know them well.”

Parkinson is also relishing the Capital One Cup first-round tie at York City, where the League Two Minstermen will aim to produce an upset against the Bantams.

Parkinson said: “It’s a good draw for us and I’m really pleased with it.

“Bootham Crescent is a terrific little ground and I’ve always enjoyed playing and managing at York.

“It’s an old-fashioned football ground and this is a local derby, so it’s certainly one to look forward to.”

The City boss is currently talking to a number of players over contracts for next season as he seeks to bolster his squad ahead of next term’s assault on League One.