Magpies open against Bromley

Maidenhead United FC will open their Blue Square South campaign with an away trip to Bromley.

The fixtures for the 2008/09 season were released last week and sees the Magpies welcome Bath City to York Road for the first home game of the league.

The action begins on Saturday, August 9 and ends on Saturday, April 25.

Maidenhead’s last league game is at home against Hampton & Richmond Borough.

The festive fixtures involve a visit to Hayes & Yeading United on Boxing day before a reverse at home on New Year’s Day.

See today's Maidenhead Advertiser for the full fixture list.

- Maidenhead United have turned to the NHS to help get their players fit for the new season.

With first team physio Chris Barton away on holiday, manager Johnson ‘Drax’ Hippolyte needed a stand-in to assist with the club’s pre-season training schedule at Bisham Abbey.

And, by coincidence, Neil Goringe, a senior physiotherapist at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, got in touch with the club to offer his services.

“The timing was excellent and Neil was just what we needed with Chris being away,” said Drax. “You could see straight away he knew what he was doing and he has done a good job. He will be helping us out at more pre-season training sessions and at some of the pre-season friendlies.”

Goringe said: “I have been interested in getting involved in a local club for a while so I decided to offer my services and I was happy to help. The players were great and I have really enjoyed it so far.”