Bury
The Shakers suffered a season to forget in 2017/18, finishing rock bottom of League One to suffer relegation to the fourth tier for the second time in five years.
Struggling towards the bottom of the league for much of the season, Bury’s relegation was confirmed with four games remaining.
Player-manager Ryan Lowe is still in charge after taking over in January and will be looking to mastermind a return to League One with experienced players such as Stephen Dawson, Neill Danns and Jermaine Beckford on their books.
The Glovers meet Bury on the opening day of the season, in what will be the first meeting between the two sides since April 2013.
Macclesfield Town
After six years away from the EFL, the Silkmen earned promotion back to League Two in style by claiming the Vanarama National League title.
Finishing 10 points ahead of Tranmere Rovers, Macclesfield defied the odds to finish with a final points tally of 92 after being tipped for relegation at the start of the campaign.
Top scorer Scott Wilson will be looking to continue his scoring streak after netting 14 goals in 2017/18, in what will be his first taste of EFL action.
Experienced manager Mark Yates has taken charge at Moss Rose after John Askey departed for Shrewsbury following promotion.
Yeovil welcome Macclesfield on March 16th.
MK Dons
Another of the relegated quartet from League One, the Dons return to the fourth tier after just two seasons.
The Glovers most recently played the Buckinghamshire outfit during the 2016/17 season, when Darren Way’s side ran out comfortable 4-1 victors in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Now ready to meet for the first time in the league since 2015, MK Dons will be looking to rebuild after finishing 23rd in League One last season.
The club’s relegation saw the departure of manager Dan Micciche, with Paul Tisdale appointed his successor after 12 seasons in charge of Exeter City.
Town head to Stadium:MK towards the end of March.
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Northampton Town
Suffering relegation in 2017/18, the Cobblers are back in the League Two for the first time in three seasons.
The Northamptonshire outfit looked to have pulled clear of the drop zone in January when they rose as high as 18th, but a slump in the final few months saw them finish up a lowly 22nd after a winless nine-game run.
After initially taking caretaker charge, Dean Austin was given the job on a permanent basis last month and will be tasked with overseeing a swift return to League One.
Key to that will be midfielder John-Joe O’Toole who has 30 goals to his name in 140 appearances for Town.
Darren Way’s side make the trip to the PTS Academy Stadium for the penultimate game of the season.
Oldham Athletic
The final of the four relegated teams, the Latics suffered relegation on the final game of the 2017/18 season after a valiant effort to beat the drop.
A disastrous start to the campaign saw them lose seven of the first 10 matches, a disappointing run of form which they couldn’t overturn come May.
Oldham have spent the last 21 seasons in League One, so will have to adjust to life back in the fourth tier.
Former striker Frankie Bunn was appointed manager as recently as last week, taking over from Richie Wellens who departed Boundary Park at the beginning of the month.
Town host Oldham in their first midweek match of the season on Tuesday August 21st.
Tranmere Rovers
Earning promotion back to the EFL via the Vanarama National League play-offs, Tranmere saw off Boreham Wood 2-1 at Wembley in the play-off final.
After three seasons in non-league, the Merseyside club return to League Two after a rollercoaster campaign in 2017/18.
Three wins from their first 12 games saw them languishing in their lowest ever league position of 18th, before an incredible run of form – which included a club record nine consecutive home league wins – earnt the Super White Army a spot in the play-offs.
With a win percentage of over 50% since taking over in 2016, manager Micky Mellon will be hoping for their end of season form to continue in 2018/19.
October will be the first time the two sides have met since 2013.
