SHOULD York City retain their place in the Football League this season then they will be in for an early kick-off to the next.

The Football League has confirmed that the 2013/14 campaign will start on Saturday, August 3 – one of the earliest kick-offs in recent memory.

The first weekend in August opening was agreed after a ballot of clubs produced a clear majority in all three divisions of the Football League. It means clubs will get an extra Saturday outing.

City were among “an overwhelming majority” who voted in favour of the earlier start date.

Said Sophie Hicks, City’s communications and community director: “The reason we voted for it was because of the extra Saturday fixture, which could be a home game, and the fact that we will have a League game before the League Cup starts.”

The current season actually opened with City visiting Doncaster in the first round of the Capital One League Cup before the official start to the npower division two campaign.

The official end to the 2013/14 season is May 3 with the play-off finals to be staged at Wembley from May 24 to May 26.

Festive fixtures next season are scheduled for Saturday, December 21; Boxing Day; Sunday, December 29 and New Year’s Day.