Carlisle United believe their complaints over last season's fixture list have resulted in a kinder calendar for the Blues in 2017/18.

The Cumbrians said they made "representations" to the EFL after they were handed away games on a host of key dates last season.

Yesterday's new fixtures showed a dramatic turnaround, as the Blues are at home on the first and last afternoons, and also have two Brunton Park games in the Christmas period.

Keith Curle's side will get under way against Swindon on Saturday, August 5 and end against Newport on May 5, whilst also hosting Accrington and Coventry on December 26 and December 30 respectively.

United were away for all the corresponding games in 2016/17, starting and ending with marathon trips to Portsmouth and Exeter.

Chief executive Nigel Clibbens said: "I'm pleased to say that our representations to the League, to say we didn't think that was particularly fair, have been listened to.

"This time it has switched around.

"You could argue we shouldn't start and finish at home, but it's a lot better than last year.

"We also had a horror week last season of Cheltenham away on Tuesday and Plymouth away on the Saturday - I'm pleased to see there doesn't look like any back-to-back games of 600 miles each this time round."

It will be the first time since 2014 that United have started a campaign on home soil.

The visit of David Flitcroft's relegated Swindon will also see the Blues seeking their first opening-day league win since 2010.

Blues assistant boss Colin West, speaking at United's second annual business club "fixtures breakfast", said United would be keen to get their new season off to a flier.

"With Swindon it's a team that's come from a higher division, so they'll have some quality players, but it will be a case of whether they can hang onto their better players," he said.

"They are in a transitional situation, with a new manager going in and trying to implement what he was.

"Whether he can get that across as quickly as the first game is something you hope might help us.

"As a coaching staff and players you would always prefer to start at home first and get off to a good start.

"Teams now will be looking at Carlisle and thinking, 'That's going to be a tough game; whereas possibly two seasons ago it was a different feeling."

West said United are continuing to speak to players, agents and managers as they try to complete their first summer signings.

The first-team squad are back next Thursday for the start of pre-season training.

Unlike last term, when all final-day League Two games were pushed back to 5.30pm to accommodate a televised game, the last fixtures of 2017/18 will kick off at 3pm.