Hartlepool United manager reacts to 2016-17 League Two fixture list

Pools kick-off the campaign on Saturday, August 6 with the visit of Colchester United to Victoria Park.

They then face one of their longest trips of the season in the opening weeks of the season, travelling to Exeter City on Saturday, August 13th.

That is quicky followed by a trip to Crewe Alexandra the following Tuesday before ending the opening month of the season with home games against Notts County and Newport County.

Click here for the full fixture list:

And boss Hignett admits he can’t wait to get started when his Pools squad return to training next week.

“It’s real now, isn’t it?

“You can start putting in the fixtures and planning where you’re going to be,” Hignett told the club’s website.

“I’m really looking forward to the players coming back in to training because I am ready to start work again now – it feels like we have been off for ages even though it hasn’t actually been that long!

“I really can’t wait and I know the fans and the players feel the same so hopefully we can have a really enjoyable season.

“It’s nice to start at home and it will be a big game. Colchester will be wanting to start well after coming down so that will be a tough one for us – but they can all be tough if you aren’t prepared or you don’t approach things in the right way.

“It’s great for the fans that we are starting at The Vic, that’s the first thing you look at – and to be at home over Christmas and on the last day too, I don’t think we can complain about the fixtures!

“We know we have to play everyone at some stage, we know we have some rascal trips along the way but, as far as fixtures go, I think they have been kind to us this season.”

Click here for the full fixture list: