ROCHDALE will launch a third successive bid for promotion under Keith Hill and David Flitcroft’s guidance with an away trip to Port Vale on August 8.

And the Dale faithful will be hoping that, come May 8 2010 and the journey to Barnet, a place in League One is already secured.

That is the dream – in between those two fixtures come the reality, the peaks and troughs of the season ahead.

The release of the fixture list this week generated the usual anticipation and excitement as Dale look to plot a successful course through the 10-month programme.

Port Vale away on the opening day is followed by the Carling Cup clash at Hillsborough and then the opening home match of the league campaign, against Aldershot. Cheltenham come to Spotland three days later while the month also sees the home derby against Bury.

Dale take on new arrivals in the league Torquay, Northampton and Hereford in consecutive games during September.

The trip to league newcomers Burton Albion comes at the start of October while November looks a tough prospect with Chesterfield, Shrewsbury and Notts County to play.

There are six games pencilled in for December, starting with the away clash against Bradford City. Boxing Day sees Dale on the road at Crewe.

The opening match of 2010 is the visit of Rotherham to Spotland while January also sees the Gigg Lane derby.

February brings Crewe, Dagenham and Redbridge and Bradford to town, while there are three more home matches in March.

April is a busy month with trips to Chesterfield, Torquay and Hereford and home clashes against Bournemouth, Darlington and Northampton.

Burton provide the opposition for the final league match before that last-day trip to Barnet.

Manager Hill is aware expectations will build between now and the first game against Port Vale, and while he is looking forward to kickstarting the season, last year’s goalless opener at Grimsby proved the first day is not always the big occasion supporters build it up to be.

"In reality, Port Vale is just another game for both us; it is an opportunity to start the new season well. Nothing is decided on that day though and won’t be decided until the last game.

"There is now a new expectation at Port Vale. They got relegated the season before last, had a less than average one last season and had real turmoil with two changes of manager but the introduction of Micky Adams has lifted them.

"On his appointment he got a massive endorsement from the supporters and the expectations there have risen. I know that it will be difficult for him because he has been left with a squad of players under contract and hardly any room to manoeuvre with respect to bringing new ones in.

"Micky is a good manager and they are a big club, historically they are quite a successful side and they have been promoted from this league on numerous occasions."

Full Rochdale's full fixture list, click here.