War of the Roses

The Minstermen will open the new campaign away at Preston North End on Saturday, August 8, the season culminating on a last day clash at relegated giants Manchester City.

In between the City fixture card is sprinkled with a series of gems, not least the Christmas double.

City play host to Manchester City in what will be an all-ticket clash at Bootham Crescent on Saturday, December 19 - the last day before Christmas.

That mouth-watering engagement is followed by a Boxing Day visit of Burnley to Bootham Crescent.

City fans will get their first glimpse of their heroes on home turf on August 15 when Gillingham, who have raked in more than £3million in transfer fees this summer, come to call.

The first month also includes daunting trips to Turf Moor and also to relegated Reading, who by that Bank Holiday Monday date should be operating from their new £10million Madjeski stadium, currently being built.

The last of the clubs relegated from Division One a month ago, Stoke City, first play host to Alan Little's men on November 21.

After their Yuletide double fillip of home encounters with Man City and Burnley, City then head for an away-day double at Oldham on December 28 and then kick off 1999 with a trip to Wycombe Wanderers on January 2.

Promoted Macclesfield Town make their first ever visit to Bootham Crescent on Tuesday, November 10 - one of only four Tuesday games scheduled this term as the League seek to eliminate as many midweek matches as possible.

Before their last-day extravaganza at Maine Road, City will sign off their home season with a game against Bournemouth on May 1.

City's North Yorkshire neighbours Scarborough begin their term with a clash of the resorts at home to Southend United, who were relegated from Division Two.

Double-winners Arsenal will kick off their defence of the Premier League with a home fixture against newly-promoted Nottingham Forest at Highbury on August 15.

But Arsene Wenger's side will then face a daunting trip to Liverpool - the one team to do the double over Arsenal last season - a week later.

Manchester United travel to North London on September 19 in an early title battle against the Gunners with the Old Trafford return on February 13.

Alex Ferguson's men start their own campaign with the visit of Leicester - the team which shocked them with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford last season.

Leeds United kick off their Premiership campaign at promoted Middlesbrough.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.