The Ryman Football League gets underway on August 16 with plenty of Kent derby action lined up.

The fixtures for the new season include 13 of the county sides but all have been kept apart for the opening weekend of the season.

In the Premier Division, Dover will be fancied as one of the teams to beat and they begin with a home match against Harrow Borough.

Fellow promotion hopefuls Dartford begin at Hendon but come head-to-head with Dover just three days later at Princes Park on August 19.

Also in the Premier, Maidstone begin with a trip to Heybridge Swifts while Ramsgate are at home to AFC Hornchurch and Tonbridge Angels are at Wealdstone.

Dover and Maidstone meet at Crabble on December 27 and on the same day, Ramsgate face Margate at Southwood.

Margate start under new boss Barry Ashby at Carshalton Athletic and are likely to face three former players.

Stuart Harte, Dean Standen and Charley Side all moved to the Surrey club, after leaving Hartsdown Park last season.

Ashby faces former Gills team-mate Andy Hessenthaler when Gate travel to newly promoted Dover on August 25.

The final day of the season sees Tonbridge host Dover while Dartford visit Boreham Wood. Maidstone entertain Billericay, Ramsgate are at home to Ashford Town (Middx) and Margate make a trip to Staines.

In the Ryman League, Division 1 South Ashford Town begin at home to Walton Casuals while Cray host Godalming Town, Sittingbourne welcome Kingstonian, Whitstable travel to Chipstead and Folkestone visit Worthing.

Kent derbies over the festive season see Ashford play Folkestone and Sittingbourne tackle Whistable on December 27. On January 3, Sittingbourne take a trip to Folkestone and Ashford make the short journey to Whistable.

Ashford (v Kingstonian), Cray (v Eastbourne), Folkestone (v Walton Casuals) and Whistable (v Godalming) all end the season at home while Sittingbourne are at Leatherhead.

Chatham Town will face life in the Northern Division 1 next season and they start at home to Ilford.

Also in the division are Thamesmead, who travel to Ware on the opening day. Chatham welcome Thamesmead to Maidstone Road on December 27.

The season finishes on April 25 with Chatham travelling to Potters Bar and Mead hosting Enfield Town.

See your local Kent Messenger newspaper this week for full fixture lists.