Grayson relishing challenge of the Championship as Town make return

But that is what the Terriers face following yesterday’s release of the 2012-13 fixtures and manager Simon Grayson admits the August 18 trip to Cardiff City underlines the big challenges that lie ahead for his newly-promoted side.

“Cardiff are a very good team and have been for a few years,” said Grayson about the visit to the Welsh capital, which will be followed by back-to-back home games against Nottingham Forest and Burnley.

“Ideally, we would have liked a home game first but a game like this just shows how big a challenge the Championship can be, especially for a team coming up,” said the Town chief.

“Some good Premier League teams have come down and, from our point of view, there are also quite a few Yorkshire derbies to look forward to.”

Of the all-White Rose affairs Town will face next season, the games with Leeds United stand out as Grayson hosts his former club on December 1 and then makes a return to Elland Road on March 16.

Grayson said: “It doesn’t matter whether you are a player, manager or coach, you always look for the clubs you have been with in the past.

“Leeds are obviously my old club, as are Blackpool. But the games against Leeds and Blackpool – plus Leicester, where I also played – will only be worth three points.”

Elsewhere, Middlesbrough could face former striker Mido on the opening day after the fixtures computer handed Tony Mowbray’s side a trip to Barnsley, who are understood to be tracking the striker following his release by Egyptian side Zamalek.

The 29-year-old, a free agent after falling out with coach Hassan Shehata, has played for several English clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Wigan Athletic and West Ham United.

But it is at the Riverside Stadium where Mido made the most league appearances in English football with his 32 games yielding seven goals.

A home game against Boro is a testing start for Keith Hill’s Reds, who then face trips to Wolves and Brighton inside four days.

Two of Barnsley’s most satisfying results last season came when beating Leeds and the South Yorkshire club, who are also closing in on former Chelsea youngster Jacob Mellis, will be looking for a repeat at Elland Road on October 6 and then again in the January 12 return at Oakwell.

Also in derby action on those two dates are Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday, who meet first at Hillsborough and then early next year in the East Riding.

Steve Bruce faces a tough start to his reign in charge of the Tigers with an opening-day home game against Brighton & Hove Albion being followed by meetings with two of the three sides relegated from the Premier League either side of a trip to League One champions Charlton Athletic.

Blackburn Rovers will be the first of the two demoted clubs to face Hull on August 22 at Ewood Park, while Bolton are due at the KC Stadium on September 1.

Last season’s promotion success for Sheffield Wednesday, who travel to Derby County on the first weekend, means Steel City rivals United have just two derbies to look forward to next season as Danny Wilson’s side host Doncaster Rovers on September 18 – the same day as the Owls v Huddersfield fixture, meaning one is likely to be moved – and then travel to the Keepmoat on New Year’s Day.

As Rovers travel to Walsall on August 18, the Blades will be hosting Shrewsbury, whose trip to Bramall Lane will be their second to Yorkshire inside a week after being drawn at Leeds United in the Capital One Cup in a first-round tie that the Elland Road club announced yesterday will take place on Saturday, August 11.

The final day of Leagues One and Two will take place a week earlier than the Championship on April 27 due to both play-off finals having to be moved forward to accomodate Wembley staging the Champions League final.

In the basement division, Rotherham United will kick off life in their new home against Burton Albion on the opening day while Bradford City face a long trip to Gillingham.

Perhaps the most excited supporters in the county ahead of the fixtures being released yesterday were those whose loyalties lie with York City, whose first game back in the Football League in eight years will be at home to Wycombe Wanderers.

The Minstermen also face back-to-back derbies when Gary Mills’s side host Rotherham United on October 6 and then travel to Bradford City a week later.

York chairman Jason McGill said: “Obviously, the opening game caught the eye first when the fixtures came through shortly before 9am but it wasn’t long before I was looking for when the Yorkshire derbies were due.

“In recent years, our nearest fixtures have been Darlington, Mansfield and Grimsby so playing Bradford City and Rotherham United will be great for everyone at the club.

“We have missed them because there is nothing quite like a Yorkshire derby to get everyone excited. Just being back in the League is great but to start at home makes it even better.

“There is so much to look forward to.”

Yorkshire derbies to savour

August 18: Barnsley v Boro

September 1: Rotherham Utd v Bradford City

Sept 18: Leeds v Hull City; Sheff Weds v Huddersfield T; Sheff Utd v Doncaster R

October 6: Leeds v Barnsley; Sheff Weds v Hull City; York v Rotherham

Oct 13: Bradford v York

Oct 20: Sheff Weds v Leeds

Oct 23: Boro v Hull

November 3: Hull v Barnsley

Nov 10: Barnsley v Hudds; Middlesbrough v Sheff Weds

Nov 27: Boro v Hudds

December 1: Hudds v Leeds

Dec 15: Barnsley v Sheff Weds; Hull v Hudds

Dec 22: Leeds v Boro

Dec 29: Hudds v Sheff Weds; Hull v Leeds

January 1: Doncaster v Sheff Utd

Jan 12: Barnsley v Leeds; Hull v Sheff Weds

Jan 26: Boro v Leeds

Feb 9: Boro v Barnsley

Feb 23: Bradford v Rotherham

Feb 26: Rotherham v York

March 2: York v Bradford

Mar 5: Hudds v Boro

Mar 16: Leeds v Hudds

Mar 30: Sheff Weds v Barnsley; Huddersfield v Hull

April 6: Hull v Boro

Apr 13: Leeds v Sheff Weds

April 27: Barnsley v Hull

May 4: Huddersfield v Barnsley; Sheff Weds v Boro