HULL City begin their Central Reserve League season against a familiar face at North Ferriby this evening (7pm).
Just three days after celebrating the last act of his testimonial year at the KC, Andy Dawson leads his Scunthorpe side to East Yorkshire for a quick reunion.
Dawson, who joined the Iron in a player-coach role when leaving City after 10 years this summer, will be in the visitors' dug-out attempting to outdo ex-colleague Stephen Clemence.
"It's funny how it's worked out," said Dawson. "I've already had a couple of games on the sidelines in pre-season and seen a different side. It's normally me getting shouted at.
"I want to keep playing for as long as I can but I find the coaching very enjoyable. It's definitely something I'd love to do long-term."
City are unlikely to field any first-team players in contention for the Premier League kick-off at Chelsea.
Calaum Jahraldo-Martin and Conor Townsend, who were part of the Tigers' training camp in Portugal, could be the most high-profile names to feature.
For City it is the opening fixture of a 10-game season.
Joining the Tigers and Scunthorpe in the Central Reserve League are Mansfield, Doncaster, Hartlepool and Rotherham.
It further highlights a pressing need to improve their Youth Academy status.
Until City can obtain either Category One or Two status, their Category Three standing denies them a route into the Premier League's under-18s and under-21s competitions. It leaves the squad requiring behind-closed-doors games to supplement fitness.
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