NEW Gillingham manager Neale Cooper is in confident mood ahead of the club's League 1 campaign.

Thursday's much anticipated fixture announcement got Gills fans in the mood for the season opener on August 6, with the Priestfield club aiming for an immediate return to the Championship.

And Cooper insists he and his players are ready for the challenge.

He said: "I don’t mind who we’re playing and I’ll never put the fear factor into the players.

"We’ll give it our best shot and give 100 per cent. If we play the right kind of football then hopefully the fans will appreciate it."

Former Hartlepool boss Cooper has been spending time settling into life in Gillingham and getting to know his new assistant Ronnie Jepson and he is itching for the season to get under way.

He said: "It’s been good and me and Ronnie got on straight away and we’re both looking forward to the challenge."

Gills kick off their League 1 campaign at home against Colchester and their first away fixture sees them travel to Port Vale.

The festive period sees Gillingham take on Bristol City at Priestfield on Boxing Day, followed by a long trip to Swansea two days later.

Gills see out the year with a home fixture against MK Dons on New Year’s Eve.

This season Gills will be in first round action in the FA Cup which will take place on the weekend of November 5 and will also take part in the LDV Vans Trophy.

Related article:

Full fixture list

* Listen to Gillingham manager Neale Cooper talking to kmfm sports editor Simon Watts about the fixture list and his summer transfer plans...