The Bulls kick of the 2011/12 League Two season with a trip to Southend United.
The two sides in two of the last three seasons after a gap of nearly 20 years, and the form book is not good reading for Bulls fans. The Shrimpers have won every one of the last nine encounters, with the Bulls last victory coming in March 1986 and the last win at Roots Hall coming in 1981. Last season the Bulls lost 3-1 at Edgar Street in the dying days of Simon Davey's reign, and 4-0 in Essex where Joe Colbeck received a late red card.
The Shrimpers will go into the game with a striker crisis. Veteran former Millwall man Neil Harris is expected to be partnered up front by central defender Bilel Moshni with Paul Sturrock deeming his other forwards injured, unfit, or surplus to requirements. The rest of the squad is fit and they are expected to give debuts to winger Jemal Johnson and midfielder JP Kalala, who have both had several seasons in League One.
The Bulls travel to Essex on the back of an encouraging display against Bolton on Monday. After the Bulls were seemingly unwilling to tackle in the games up to the final tester, watching them battling like they should against the Premier League side was a relief after dismal performances against Forest Green and Telford. The Bulls are only likely to have one debutant in the starting line-up with Delroy Facey the only member of Monday's starting XI to not have appeared in Bulls colours last term.
Southend United vs Hereford United, Roots Hall, Saturday 6th August, 3.00pm.