Championship derbies galore as Owls get harsh reality check

As the fixture lists for the new season were published, Leeds manager Simon Grayson acknowledged that the battle for bragging rights in Yorkshire will bring 'added spice' to the Championship race.

But the story is far different down the M1 at Sheffield Wednesday – where relegation to League One is slowly sinking in.

Manager Alan Irvine describes his side's opening day fixture against tiny Dagenham and Redbridge at Hillsborough on August 7 as a 'reality check' for some.

A total of six Yorkshire clubs are competing in next season's Championship – Barnsley, Doncaster Rovers, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and relegated Hull City.

With Burnley and Scunthorpe United also in the mix, there will rarely be a weekend without a local derby on the agenda.

Grayson said: "Last season, League One was predominantly a southern-based division and we were on the road a lot with no real derbies.

"This time there's a lot of teams in the Yorkshire area and there's plenty to look forward to.

"We will be playing teams from this area and it can only add spice, not only to the area, but also to the league as a whole," he said.

Kicking-off at home to Derby County, Leeds have three derbies in the space of just 11 days during September against Barnsley, Doncaster and Sheffield United.

Leeds' final game of the season is at Neil Warnock's Queens Park Rangers, who host Barnsley on the opening day.

Warnock has caused a stir at his former club, Sheffield United, this summer by luring long-serving goalkeeper Paddy Kenny from Bramall Lane.

The Blades open the season at Cardiff City but the atmosphere, seven days later, for the return of Warnock and Kenny in a Rangers shirt is guaranteed to be hostile.

Hull's first game back in the Championship is at home to Swansea City. The final day game with Bristol City looks a good omen, however, as it was Bristol whom the Tigers to beat to win promotion to the Premier League two years ago.

Barnsley manager Mark Robins had few complaints about his side's fixture list, saying: "There are never any easy matches but we have four of the first seven league matches here at Oakwell so that is a decent start for us. Hopefully, it will be a strong one but there is a lot of work to do before then."

Doncaster Rovers start with an away game for the third consecutive season but, according to assistant-manager Richard O'Kelly, the visit to Preston North End will be one to savour.

"I don't think you could ask for a better footballing game for the first match of the season," he said. "When you look back on the two games we played against Preston last season, both were entertaining fixtures and good games to watch."

One of the most attractive opening day fixtures in the Championship will see Middlesbrough host Ipswich Town, whose manager, Roy Keane, played at Celtic under Gordon Strachan.

Now manager of Boro, Strachan said: "Ipswich will want to go up, like ourselves, as will Leicester City and Sheffield United, who we also play early on.

"We got an eye-opener last season," he added. "But we all now know how hard this league can be."

Life in League One will not be as glamorous for Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town but both clubs will be aiming for promotion.

Wednesday's opening game is against Dagenham, who beat Rotherham in the League Two play-off final to secure promotion to the third tier for the first time in a brief history.

Owls manager Irvine said: "If I had my choice, I wouldn't choose to play one of the teams that has just been promoted

in the first game.

"They are feeling great about themselves and have a bit of momentum.It will be a huge occasion for them coming to Hillsborough. Hopefully, everyone has been fully aware of the situation we are in," he added.

"It is easier for me because I have been looking ahead to League One football from the moment when I knew we were relegated. It may well be a reality check for some people."

Huddersfield also take on a promoted side on the opening day when they visit Notts County.

Manager Lee Clark is unhappy, however, with the League's decision to schedule a trip to Southampton on December 28.

"It is not a problem for us because the chairman and the chief executive look after us very well in terms of travel arrangements. But to make our fans embark upon one of the longest journeys of the season right in the middle of the Christmas period is a little harsh," he said.

In League Two, beaten play-off finalists Rotherham open their campaign at home to Chris Sutton's Lincoln City while Bradford City visit Shrewsbury Town.

Six of the best fixtures to savour

October 16 Middlesbrough v Leeds Utd

November 2 Sheffield Weds v Huddersfield Town

February 5 Scunthorpe United v Hull City

March 5 Leeds United v Doncaster Rovers

March 8 Bradford City v Rotherham United

n April 30 Sheffield United v Barnsley