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And so, in the space of 5 minutes one morning, your diary goes from being completely empty every weekend from August 2009 to May 2010 to being jam packed full of trips to Anfield or the Emirates or the Keepmoat (just for you Newcastle fans).

You have to love the day when the fixtures are released. The days before fill your head of images of one giant super computer that magically selects all of your team's fixtures for the forthcoming campaign. The reality, is quite different, but then again, who cares about reality?

The release of the fixtures brings a sharp intake of breath from fans, players and management. This is the time when it hits home that your side will be playing in the Premier League next season. This is the time when you plan every game, months and months before the game.

Immediately after the release, fans frantically run from friend to friend, exchanging stories about your forthcoming trip to Blackpool on a Tuesday night, or your dream start to the season, away at Old Trafford. Wait, did I say dream...or nightmare?

Well, in any case, my very own Birmingham City have been given that 'pleasure' next season. We get to travel to the home of the champions.

In some respects, that could be the best thing for us. Not only will you be brought down to earth (with a resounding thud), you also get out the way one of the hardest fixtures of the season. Below are the opening day fixtures for the Premier League:

Aston Villa v Wigan
Blackburn v Manchester City
Bolton v Sunderland
Chelsea v Hull
Everton v Arsenal
Manchester Utd v Birmingham
Portsmouth v Fulham
Stoke v Burnley
Tottenham v Liverpool
Wolves v West Ham

It will be interesting to see how Aston Villa fare, especially if the likes of Ashley Young move on in the summer after a certain amount of discontent coming from the Villa fans over O'Neill's transfer policy.

It will also be interesting to see how Everton match up against Arsenal, as David Moyes once again sets out his game plan - break in to the top 4.

Robbie Keane will be grateful (or not) to the fixture computer as he will face his former side in the first game of the season after facing them in the last game of last season.

When the fixture list is released, excitement for the new season can start to build up. This is it. A new start. A new beginning. A chance to make a mark.

Old Trafford, Portman Road, Elland Road, the Fraser Eagle Stadium. Wherever your side start the new season, enjoy it. This is what it's all about.