The Harwich and Parkeston first team will kick-off their 2026/27 Essex Senior League season away to newly-promoted Hutton.
The league revealed the opening two rounds of fixtures for the new campaign on Tuesday, handing the Shrimpers a trip to Billericay’s New Lodge ground, where Hutton groundshare. It has an artificial surface.
With Billericay having a home friendly scheduled for Saturday August 1, it is expected that the match will take place on Friday July 31, although that is yet to be confirmed.
Hutton will be playing in the ESL for the first time, having won Division One South of the Thurlow Nunn League last season.
The Shrimpers’ first home league game of the season will come on Tuesday August 11 when Hullbridge Sports visit the Royal Oak, although that fixture would have to be rearranged were either side to be involved in an FA Cup replay.
Matt Carmichael and Sean Tynan’s side will play in the extra-preliminary round of that competition on August 8. It is the stage at which all the Step 5 sides (such as HPFC) enter, as well as some of the clubs at Step 4. The draw is due to take place on July 3.
The full ESL fixture list is not expected to be published until next month. Due to a number of groundshares in operation, officials need to wait until the fixtures from higher leagues are announced. Last year the full list was published on July 22, just a few days before the season began.
Meanwhile, more members of last season’s squad have agreed to sign up for the new campaign.
Managers’ player of the year Charlie Canham will put to pen to paper, as will Alfie Eldridge, Oakley McNair and Jenson Goode. They join Louie Bloom and Alfie Canning in staying at the Royal Oak.
Many of those players will be in action when pre-season begins on Friday July 3 with a home friendly against Coggeshall Town.

Pre-season fixture list:
Friday July 3 – Coggeshall Town (H), 7.45pm
Saturday July 11 – Clacton Town (H), 3pm
Tuesday July 14 – Hadleigh United (H), 7.45pm
Saturday July 18 – Brantham Athletic (H), 3pm
Tuesday July 21 – Brightlingsea Regent (H), 7.45pm
Saturday July 25 – Ransomes Sports (H), 3pm

Regular season fixture list (so far):
Friday July 31 - Hutton (A), 7.45pm - TBC
Satuday August 8 - FA Cup extra preliminary round
Tuesday August 11 - Hullbridge Sports (H), 7.45pm