[4] The side was strengthened by signing Freddy Eastwood,[5] Stephen Elliott[6] and Michael Gray,[7] but last season's Player of the Year, goalkeeper Matt Murray - who had only just recovered from a broken shoulder - missed the whole campaign after suffering a knee injury in pre-season training.

[8] On the field, the team started the season inconsistently, but a strong October and November saw them push as high as third, just three points from the summit.

However, an injury suffered by key player Michael Kightly[9][10] seemed to severely weaken the team's creativity and preceded a dismal Christmas period that saw them pick up just 4 points from a possible 21, leaving them mid-table and without hopes of an automatic finish.

Despite suffering just two defeats in their final 15 games, several crucial late goals that were conceded in the second half of the season ultimately proved costly.

The provisional fixture list was released on 14 June 2007, but was subject to change in the event of matches being selected for television coverage.