The worst kept secret in football was finally confirmed this week. No, it wasn’t Ronaldo completing his protracted transfer to Real Madrid, rather it was the fact that Brentford announced the signing of three players from Dagenham & Redbridge – Sam Saunders, Ben Strevens and Danny Foster.

Rumours had been doing the rounds that the Dagenham Three, who sound like a group of Irishmen wrongly imprisoned for terrorist activities in the mid-70s, were in Andy Scott’s sights, but the club were reluctant to confirm the transfers because the players were still officially contracted to the Daggers.

Reports in the media forced Brentford’s hand and, although the club’s position is an understandable one, after all the departures, it was good to get the ball rolling with some incoming transfers.

This week, the fixture list for the new season has been revealed and it made for some great reading.

Most people would have loved the opening game of the season to be a home game against a local rival. Not me.

I am delighted the first match is away to Carlisle – I’ve booked a holiday for that weekend, so I will be away when the lads are kicking off life in League One.

It’s a shame to miss the game, of course, but, if I have to miss one away trip next season, then the journey to Scotland (surely Cumbria? Ed) is the one I would have chosen.

Boxing Day hasn’t thrown up the desired home game, but travelling to Gillingham is not too much of a schlep, and it will be interesting to see if Scotty and Mark “Nosferatu” Stimpson bury the hatchet and show the “goodwill to all men” spirit.

Besides, going to Gillingham at Christmas, a time of the year dedicated to happiness and celebration, will remind us that some poor souls aren’t as fortunate as ourselves.

The games against the relegated Championship sides are ones everyone is looking towards and, on a personal note, I am particularly looking forward to the Charlton and Southampton matches.

Two of my close – and, at the moment, rather depressed – friends support those teams and, if we manage to beat them, I’ll be a happy man.

I am also excited about returning to Swindon (that’s a phrase you won’t read very often). Last time I went to the County Ground, on approaching the stadium, I asked a Swindon fan where the away end was located.

In no uncertain terms, he told me to fornicate elsewhere. You can’t beat that rural charm.