Barnsley are away on the opening day of the season for the fourth season in a row as they make a tough trip to last season’s play-off semi-finalists Nottingham Forest on Saturday 6th August 2011. Both sides are under new management, with Barnsley appointing Keith Hill and this week, Forest recruited former England boss Steve McClaren to replace Billy Davies. The Reds will be searching for their first victory at the City Ground since 2006. They came desperately close on the first day of 2011 when they led 2-0, before a dubious penalty saw Forest grab a lifeline and eventually an equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw.
In other interesting fixtures, Barnsley’s first home game will be promoted Southampton. The Saints finally ended their exile in League One after two years in May by finishing runners up to Brighton, and the Reds face Gus Poyet’s Seagulls at Oakwell in the final game of the season. That will be on the 28th April as the Football League need to get the Play-Off matches played earlier this year with the European Championships taking place in June.
The Reds face local rivals Doncaster and Leeds United one after the other twice in 2011-2012. They host Rovers on November 19th, before travelling to Elland Road the following weekend on November 26th. Then at the end of 2011, The Reds host Leeds, hoping to repeat the 5-2 mauling they handed out to Simon Grayson’s side last September, when the Whites visit Oakwell on New Years Eve, before Hill’s men will be hoping to extend their 100% record at the Keepmoat Stadium in the first game of 2012, on January 2nd.
Blackpool are the opponents on both festive weekends as Ian Holloway’s relegated side come to Oakwell on Boxing Day and The Reds make the trip to the seaside on Easter Monday.
For the full 2011-2012 fixtures click here.