There was a real sense of excitement at Meadow Lane today after Notts County's Youth Team received their fixtures for the 2009/10 season.

The U18s are back after a three season absence and will compete in the Youth Alliance U18 North East Division.

Michael Johnson's team kick off their campaign on Saturday 15 August at Grimsby Town, followed by a home game against Doncaster Rovers a week later.

The Youth Set-Up was disbanded in 2006 but was restored last summer, starting with the return of the Centre of Excellence.

This week the youth operation was fully restored when fifteen scholars reported for duty on Monday for pre-season training.

Said Johnson: "I've been waiting all summer for the fixtures to come out, every day I've been checking!

"Now we have something to aim for and look forward to. It has been an exciting week with the lads mixing in with the pros, and this tops it off."

2009/10 Youth Team Fixtures
Sat Aug 15th - Grimsby Town (A)
Sat Aug 22nd - Doncaster Rovers (H)
Sat Aug 29th - Darlington (A)
Sat Sept 5th - Bradford City (H)
Sat Sept 12th - York City (A)
Sat Sept 19th - Lincoln City (A)
Sat Sept 26th - Burton Albion (H)
Sat Oct 3rd - Youth Alliance Cup Round 1
Sat Oct 10th - Chesterfield (A)
Sat Oct 17th - Hartlepool United (H)
Sat Oct 24th - Rotherham United (H)
Sat Oct 31st - Mansfield Town (A)
Sat Nov 7th - Youth Alliance Cup Round 2
Sat Nov 14th - Hull City (H)
Sat Nov 21st - Scunthorpe United (A)
Sat Nov 28th - In Service Training
Sat Dec 5th - Grimsby Town (H)
Sat Dec 12th - Doncaster Rovers (A)
Sat Jan 9th - Darlington (H)
Sat Jan 16th - Youth Alliance Cup Round 3
Sat Jan 23rd - Bradford City (A)
Sat Jan 30th - York City (H)
Sat Feb 6th - Lincoln City (H)
Sat Feb 13th - Burton Albion (A)
Sat Feb 20th - Youth Alliance Cup Semi-Final
Sat Feb 27th - Chesterfield (H)
Sat Mar 6th - Hartlepool United (A)
Sat Mar 20th - Rotherham United (A)
Sat Mar 27th - Mansfield Town (H)
Sat Apr 10th - Hull City (A)
Sat Apr 17th - Scunthorpe United (H)
Sat May 22nd - In Service Training