CREWE FC kick off their promotion bid at home to Curzon Ashton Reserves on August 13.

Looking to bounce back from relegation at the first attempt, Ian O'Reilly's boys face a tough first month with five games scheduled in two weeks.

Although happy with a start at their temporary base in Reaseheath, the boss isn't happy with the long distance mid week trip to Glossop on the following Wednesday.

Crewe face back-to-back home games against unknown quantity Monk FC (Aug 20) and then Lostock Graham (Aug 24) followed by a trip to old rivals Broadheath (Aug 27).

"I'm glad we're at home in the first game and hopefully we'll get off to a good start with a win," explained O'Reilly.

"But I'll have to speak to the league about going to Glossop on a Wednesday night.

"It's near on impossible to get there for 6.30pm and I don't see how we can play unless they've got floodlights and it's a later kick-off.

"We don't know anything about Monk while we haven't played Broadheath since they were relegated.

"They've never managed to get back up and that proves how tough Division Two is."

Crewe FC start their pre-season campaign at Staffs side Abbey Hulton United, this Saturday.

"We've got a few missing so we'll give some of the younger lads a run out," added O'Reilly.

"Results are not that important at this stage, we need to make sure we get the squad right for the start of the season."

The club hope to sign a centre-half this week while O'Reilly says he needs his experienced players more than ever for this campaign.

"We're talking to a centre-half and he'll be a good signing if we can get him," he continued.

"You need experience in this division and we'll need the older lads more than ever, players like Gary Longston.

"He's gone AWOL and those players have got a big part to play for us this season."