The countdown to the new season is well and truly underway after the release of the Vanarama National League fixtures for 2021-22 was followed by news that Altrincham will be appearing live on national television in October.

Alty launch their second campaign back in non-league’s top flight on Saturday, August 21 with a lengthy and challenging trip to the Devon coast to face a Torquay United side who will be among the favourites for promotion after narrowly missing out last season.

The Robins were always going to be on the road at the outset, with their newly-laid pitch out of commission until a couple of weeks into the season, and they follow up with a slightly shorter journey to FC Halifax Town on Bank Holiday Monday, with a blank Saturday sandwiched between those two opening fixtures.

Alty finally set foot on the new turf at The J.Davidson Stadium for the first time against Dover Athletic on Saturday, September 4, but it’s a fixture the following month that will present Phil Parkinson’s side with an opportunity to shine in a national spotlight.

Alty’s big moment comes on Tuesday, October 26, when BT Sport’s cameras – now in its eighth year of covering the National League – will be on the gantry at The J.Davidson Stadium, and doubtless dotted round the ground, to capture every moment of the Robins’ sixth home game of the season, with Solihull Moors the visitors.

Manager Phil Parkinson will be hoping for a positive start to the campaign to enable his side to go into the game full of confidence and provide a platform for a packed Moss Lane to relay the Alty atmosphere to a nationwide audience.

Both teams relegated from League Two will be heading to Alty in the first half of the season, with Grimsby Town visiting The J.Davidson on Tuesday, October 5 and Southend United on Saturday, November 27.

There is a festive double-header with neighbours Stockport County, who make the short journey to The J.Davidson on Sunday, January 2 after hosting the Robins on Boxing Day.

Alty hit the Emirates FA Cup trail at the fourth qualifying round stage on Saturday, October 16, where a handy £9,375 in prize money will be at stake, as well as a place among EFL clubs in the first round proper, while their Buildbase FA Trophy campaign kicks off on Saturday, December 18.