Colchester United will get their bid to get promoted from Coca-Cola League One at the first time of asking under way with a trip to Hartlepool United.

The 2008/9 season's fixture list was unveiled today and, having got their opening game out of the way on August 9, the U's will then host Huddersfield Town for the first-ever competitive league match at the Weston Homes Community Stadium seven days later.

The two games will come either side of a Carling Cup first-round tie at Gillingham in the week commencing August 11.

Colchester will be hoping history repeats itself as their season concludes with a trip to Yeovil Town - exactly like the last time the U's were in League One, when they successfully won promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship on the final day of the 2005/6 campiagn.

Games through August continue with a visit to Swindon Town and a home encounter with Oldham Athletic to close the opening month.

Leicester, who, like the U's, were also relegated from the Coca-Cola Championship at the end of last season, come to the Weston Homes Community Stadium to start September with a visit by newly-promoted Milton Keynes Dons coming on September 20.

A visit to Essex rivals Southend United gets November under way with the return visit scheduled for February 21, while festive action will see Colchester fans making a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion for the traditional Boxing Day fixture.

Leyton Orient will come to the U's new home on December 28 and Tranmere Rovers are listed in the schedule to come to north Essex for a league encounter on January 3.

The Easter weekend begins with a game at Leyton Orient on April 11, followed two days later by the return visit of Brighton on Bank Holiday Monday.

Colchester fans will travel to Elland Road to see their team face Leeds United on December 13, with the Yorkshire club due to come to the Weston Homes Community Stadium on April 4.

See tomorrow's Gazette for the U's full fixture list for the 2008/9 season.