Cooper reunion for Rovers

FOREST GREEN will come face-to-face with old boy Mark Cooper on the opening day of next season.

Jim Harvey's men begin their Blue Square Premier campaign on August 9 with a trip to promoted Kettering Town, managed by the former Rovers midfielder.

Defender Luke Graham, who spent an impressive season on loan in Nailsworth from Northampton Town in 2005/06, also plays for the Poppies.

The first league match at the New Lawn comes three days later with the visit of Salisbury City, who cantered to a 3-0 win in the corresponding fixture last term.

Club bosses will not be overjoyed that the potentially lucrative home clash with Torquay United has been scheduled for a Tuesday night, September 23.

But even the most ardent Rovers followers will be relieved to see the mammoth trip to Barrow taking place on a Saturday – November 1.

Later that month is a trip to relegated Wrexham's Racecourse Ground, with the away clash against Mansfield Town on March 14.

Like last year, Kidderminster Harriers is the destination on Boxing Day, with the return fixture on January 1.

And fans will be hoping there are still promotion issues to resolve when Harvey's men end the season at Grays Athletic on April 25.

Rovers can also look forward to two reunions with former left-back Anthony Tonkin, who yesterday signed for Cambridge United on a two-year deal.

The Cornishman quit the New Lawn at the end of last season and had been tipped to make the step up to the Football League.