Gillingham manager Mark Stimson is hoping his side can get off to a flying start when they entertain Swindon Town in their season opener.

The Football League kicks off on August 8 and Priestfield should be packed as their long-time rivals from Wiltshire make the relatively short trip to Gillingham.

"We’ll be looking to get something from the match," said the Gills boss (pictured left).

"We should get a good crowd and there is a bit of old rivalry there as well. It’s a home game against a side who were decent last year and we’re looking forward to it.

"I’ve been waiting for the fixtures to come out since the day after our open top bus parade. Now they’re out it’s about looking through them and thinking where we have to go.

"The most important game of them all is the first one. Pre-season will be geared up for that match and whoever is fittest and on form will play."

Just three days after their opening league fixture, the Gills welcome Championship side Plymouth to Priestfield, for a Carling Cup first round match.

Stimson said: "It will be a challenge and one we’ll look forward to.

"They probably didn’t do as well as they would have wanted last season but like myself, from our last season in League 1, we’ll be looking to have a lot better season and I’m sure they will be the same."

Gillingham have a tough run-in. They face Leeds, Norwich and Southampton before ending the season at Wycombe on May 8.

"It looks like the last few games are going to be against some massive teams but that’s a long, long way ahead and we just have to be ready for the challenge," added the Gills boss.

Click here for a summary of Gillingham's League 1 fixtures.