Bromley face Harrogate in club's first ever EFL match

Michael Cheek celebrates scoring for Bromley in the National League promotion final against Solihull Moors at WembleyImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Michael Cheek scored 23 goals as Bromley won promotion to League Two last season

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Bromley will travel to Harrogate Town in the club's first ever match in the English Football League.

The London club beat Solihull Moors on penalties in the National League promotion final to secure a place in the EFL for the first time in their 132-year history.

National League winners Chesterfield will host Swindon Town on their return to League Two on Friday, 9 August (20:00 BST) to open the weekend.

Cheltenham Town, Fleetwood Town, Port Vale and Carlisle United were all relegated from League One last season.

Vale will start their season at Salford City, while Cheltenham host Newport County.

Carlisle will travel to Kent to face Gillingham, as Fleetwood take on Grimsby Town.

Crewe Alexandra, who lost the League Two play-off final against Crawley Town, begin their season away to Barrow.

Saturday's games in League Two are the only ones in the EFL to kick-off at 15:00 BST, with the Championship starting at 12:30 BST and League One at 17:30 BST.

All of the opening round of fixtures in all three divisions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports as part of their new £935m five-year deal with the EFL.

The second round of fixtures are due to take place the following weekend, with the regular season ending on the weekend of 3 May.

First weekend of fixtures in full

Chesterfield v Swindon Town (Friday, 9 August 20:00 BST)

AFC Wimbledon v Colchester United

Barrow v Crewe Alexandra

Cheltenham Town v Newport County

Doncaster Rovers v Accrington Stanley

Fleetwood Town v Grimsby Town

Gillingham v Carlisle United

Harrogate Town v Bromley

Milton Keynes Dons v Bradford City

Salford City v Port Vale

Tranmere Rovers v Notts County

Walsall v Morecambe

Chesterfield stormed to the National League title with a 98-point haul to end their six-year exodus from the EFL.

The Spireites banished the heartbreak of a promotion final defeat on penalties against Notts County - where they twice led at Wembley - the season before.

Wrexham were champions that season in an enthralling battle with Notts that drew huge audiences to non-league football.

The Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney-backed club have continued their Hollywood story by securing back-to-back promotions, and begin their League One season against Wycombe Wanderers at the Racecourse Ground.

Notts finished last season a comfortable 14th following a strong start and Chesterfield and Bromley will now set out to establish themselves in the league in the same way.

Chesterfield have been busy strengthening the squad ahead of the challenge, signing the likes of forward Kane Drummond from Macclesfield, Paddy Madden from Stockport, left-back Lewis Gordon from Bristol Rovers and former Shrewsbury captain Chey Dunkley.

Bromley's summer so far has been much quieter but the club has been able to secure the futures of captain Byron Webster, who scored the winning penalty against Solihull in the promotion final, and experienced defender Callum Reynolds.

Securing their status in League Two will be the immediate focus for both clubs.