Macclesfield are the visitors as Stevenage play their first-ever game in the Football League.
Boro prepare for League bow against new-look Macc
Macclesfield are the visitors as Stevenage play their first-ever game in the Football League.
Boro were denied promotion after winning the 1996 Conference title due to insufficient ground facilities and reached the 2005 and 2009 play-offs.
But last season they romped to the Blue Square Premier title to finally make the step out of non-league.
Macclesfield have managed to stay in the league since gaining promotion since 1997, and even spent a season in the third tier, so Stevenage will be looking to emulate the Cheshire outfit over the coming years.
Manager Graham Westley will have to do without David Bridges for the season opener, though, as the midfielder is suspended.
Defender Jon Ashton (hip) is also set to miss out but new signing Luke Foster is set to partner Mark Roberts in the centre of defence.
Macclesfield news
The Macc side is set to have a very different look to the one from last season, which secured a 19th-placed finish.
Manager Gary Simpson could hand debuts to several new signings at Broadhall Way, with striker Tyrone Barnett, midfielders Lewis Chalmers and Sam Wedgbury, winger Matt Hamshaw, defender Jason Beardsley and goalkeeper Sam Cudworth are all hoping to feature. Richard Butcher had a spell on loan with the Silkmen last season and could also be involved after making a permanent move from Lincoln.
Ricky Sappleton, Paul Morgan, Ross Draper and Hamza Bencherif have all been sidelined through injury, though.
Simpson is beginning his first full season in charge after being long-term assistant to Keith Alexander, who passed away in March.
