SAM RICKETTS will begin his reign as Wrexham manager away at far-flung Dover Athletic.

Wrexham kick-off the 2018-19 campaign with a clash against the Whites at The Crabble Athletic Ground on Saturday August 4.

It will be the Reds' longest away game of the season but former Wales international Ricketts is pleased to get the 575 mile round trip out of the way immediately.

"We are going to have to go to Dover sometime so we may as well go there the first game of the season," said Ricketts, who is taking his first steps in management and will oversee Wrexham's 11th campaign in non-league.

"I think it is probably better going there on a Saturday rather than a Tuesday, it is a long way for the fans to go.

"I appreciate that it is the first game of the season but we come back for two home games following that.

"Let us go to Dover and try and get that first win of the season."

Ricketts' first competitive game at The Racecourse comes three days later against AFC Fylde on Tuesday August 7, and that is quickly followed by another home fixture as Wrexham entertain Boreham Wood the following Saturday.

Supporters will be hoping to go into the home double header on the back of an opening day win against Dover who Wrexham have never beaten in eight meetings.

"I am really looking forward to it," said Ricketts. "All the games are going to be tough, especially first one of the season.

"Everyone builds up for that game for weeks and months before hand.

"It will be a tough game but something that myself and the players will be relishing."

Wrexham, who faced Barrow home and away over the Christmas period last season, have seen local rivals Chester, Tranmere Rovers and Macclesfield change divisions after experiencing contrasting fortunes in 2017-18.

This term, Ricketts' side will host newly promoted Salford City, who are owned by Manchester United's famed Class of 92, on Boxing Day before heading to Moor Lane for the away fixture on New Years Day.

"It is great that we have got Salford over Christmas," said Ricketts.

"We are home and away over six days with them, I think they are good Christmas fixtures for the fans.

"Not too far to go, good games, should be good atmosphere, and there are more games to look forward to."

Wrexham, hoping to launch a promotion challenge under Ricketts, finish the season against Harrogate Town at The Racecourse on Saturday April 27.

Harrogate, like Salford, were promoted from National League North at the end of a 2017-18 campaign which also included an FA Trophy first round victory away at Wrexham.

Supporters will be hoping the final game of 18-19 is a promotion party but Ricketts, who joked that Wrexham would open up against Dover before seeing the fixture list, refuses to tempt fate.

"We tempted fate earlier saying about Dover away first game so hopefully you can tempt fate again by saying a home game last game of the season for all the right reasons," added Ricketts.