SOUTHEND United will begin life in League One by welcoming Port Vale to Roots Hall on Saturday August 6.

And Blues boss Steve Tilson is hoping for a strong start to the 2005/06 season.

"It doesn't really make much difference when we're home or away and who we have because they are all going to be tough games," he said.

"There are no easy matches but I guess it's better to start off at home and hopefully get the three points before heading off Bradford for a very tricky game."

But Tilson was also puzzled by Blues trip to Hartlepool on December 28.

"I thought they normally tried to give you local games around that time but Hartlepool away is at far as it gets in this division and then a few days later we're off to Blackpool," he said.

Blues also face local rivals Colchester United, who are in the same division for the first time in 15 years, at Roots Hall on August 29 and at Layer Road on March 4.

The Shrimpers take on Nottingham Forest at home on October 8 and then go to the City Ground shortly after on November 19.

The festive period sees the Seasiders playing MK Dons at Roots Hall on Boxing Day before travelling to Hartlepool two days later.

Blackpool will be the first team faced in 2006, as Tilson takes his troops to Bloomfield Road on January 2, while the campaign will close at home to Bristol City on May 6.

* Full fixtures in Thursday's Echo