Forest Green boss Mark Cooper branded their Tuesday night fixtures as 'ridiculous' after they were handed long midweek trips to Carlisle United and Morecambe for the coming season.

The fixtures for the 2019-20 EFL League Two season were released on this morning with Rovers being handed a home game against Oldham Athletic to kick off the new campaign.

However, there are some strenuous midweek trips in the early months of the season.

Forest Green will first visit Port Vale on a Tuesday night before facing the 500+ mile round trip to Carlisle and 400 mile round trip to Morecambe both also on Tuesday nights.

The Rovers boss feels the club have been hard done by.

“The only thing that disappoints me is that we are down in the south west and we have to travel to Morecambe and Carlisle on Tuesday nights, which is ridiculous, especially for the home fans up there," he said.

“There are enough northern teams in the league to be able to arrange the fixtures where they are not playing a team from the south west on a Tuesday night.

“We then have the logistical issues of getting there midweek, it’s crazy.

"It becomes then a financial issue in terms of the travel and accommodation for the fans as much as the club. You’ve got to feel for the supporters."

Cooper otherwise isn't too fussed about fixture release day, but he is pleased to be starting with a home tie.

“I don’t get too caught up in it. It’s the same cliché, you’ve got to play everybody and it is what it is,” said Cooper.

“It’s nice that we play at home on the first day and then you probably look at the teams that have got relegated and promoted and when you’ll be playing them.

“We were away at Grimsby last year and got a good result up there. The aim is to get a good start and get off and running.

“I think it focusses the minds of the boys already at the club,”

“They know that pre-season is around the corner and that they need to get out and do some running.”