2016/17 Sky Bet League One newcomers in focus

In a special feature, bwfc.co.uk profiles the new faces to the division, offering an insight into their exploits throughout 2015/16 and pinpoints just when the Whites will be locking horns with them throughout the upcoming 2016/17 campaign.

Set to play in League One for the first time in their history this coming season, AFC Wimbledon surprised everybody by securing the final play-off spot in League Two last term, finishing six points clear of eighth place Leyton Orient.

Defeating Accrington Stanley over two legs back in May to book their place at Wembley – winning 3-2 overall – the Dons then proceeded to go all the way by beating Plymouth Argyle 2-0 at the national stadium courtesy of goals from Lyle Taylor and Adebayo Akinfenwa.

Bolton fans will not have to wait too long to pit their wits against the London outfit either, with their league away game against Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow being on Saturday 13 August 2016.

Neal Ardley’s men meanwhile will make their first ever trip to Macron Stadium on Saturday 4 March 2017.

Securing their own automatic promotion berth in League Two by virtue of a superior goal difference to that of fourth place Accrington Stanley, Bristol Rovers returned to English football's third tier for the first time since 2011 in the process.

Finishing third in the league standings, it has been something of a rollercoaster few years for the Pirates with them slipping out of the Football League altogether in 2014 before earning back-to-back promotions since.

It will certainly be a test of both Bolton and Rovers supporters' mettle this season too, with both fixtures set to take place midweek - the first being a trip to the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday 16 August 2016, with the second being at Macron Stadium on Tuesday 28 February 2017.

Finishing nine points adrift of safety in the Championship last season, Charlton in turn will make their first return to the third tier of English football in four years come August.

Last plying their trade in League One back in 2011/12 – a season which saw them crowned champions of the division after three years of trying – the Addicks will be hoping that their stay this time is much more brief.

Moving to replace manager Jose Riga following his departure back in August, the London side appointed former Cardiff manager Russell Slade earlier this month on a three-year deal.

Having last clashed with Charlton back in April at Macron Stadium – a game which produced a goalless draw that confirmed their relegation – Wanderers will face them for the first time in 2016/17 on Saturday 27 August 2016 at The Valley with the return fixture coming on Saturday 28 January 2017.

Only promoted to the Championship back in May 2015, MK Dons’ stay in English football’s second tier was sadly brief with them unable to retain their position come the season’s conclusion.

Ten points adrift of safety, it had looked at one point as though Karl Robinson’s men could remain in the division but their form inside the latter months of the campaign ultimately consigned them to an immediate return to League One.

Set to meet the Whites for only the third and fourth time this coming season with the two meetings last term ending in a win apiece at each team’s respective home grounds, this season will see the Dons travel to Macron Stadium on Saturday 10 September.

Wanderers’ second ever visit to stadiummk however will take place on Saturday 4 February 2017.

Storming their way to the League Two title last season, winning 29 of their 46 games and losing just five to finish on an impressive 99 points, Northampton Town will be hoping to carry on where they left off come August 6.

They will be making their foray into League One football for the first time since 2009 however without influential manager Chris Wilder with him having moved to Sheffield United earlier this summer.

Now under the stewardship of former Port Vale manager Rob Page, the Cobblers will welcome Wanderers to Sixfields on Saturday 26 November 2016 with Town making their first trip to BL6 on Saturday 18 March 2017. 

Sneaking into the division’s automatic promotion spots by a single point back in May, Oxford United in turn brought to an end six years of fourth tier football.

A team who were plying their trade in the Conference National back in 2010, the U’s had finished the 2014/15 season in mid-table, but an impressive run of form last term saw them book their place in League One for the coming campaign.

Set to visit Macron Stadium on Saturday 1 October 2016, Wanderers will make their first ever visit to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday 7 January 2017, pending each side’s potential involvement in the Emirates FA Cup third round.