Then home fans bellow out the fantastic 'Greasy chip butty' (one of the great football songs) anthem and the game is under way.

Does a dramatic end to an action-packed day await? Hopefully!

Image source, Getty Images

If new Sheffield United boss Ruben Selles is to get off to a winning start today he'll end a run of hangovers for the beaten Championship play-off finalists.

In each of the past five seasons the team who lost out on the chance to win promotion to the Premier League at Wembley have failed to win their first league game in the following season.

They will hope to follow the example of Yorkshire rivals Leeds though. The Whites lost to Southampton in the 2023-24 play-off final and then won the title with 100 points last season.

Ed Hadwin
Commentator on BBC Radio Bristol

Expectations? Having reached the play-offs for the first time since 2008 last season under Liam Manning, City would hope to build on that under new boss Gerhard Struber. Manning's departure is the biggest change over the summer, as the squad which finished sixth is largely intact, although the relative lack of new signings is a concern for some.

Strengths? City were very much a team greater than the sum of its parts last season, so having kept the squad together - with a couple of potentially key signings - is a good start.

City's home form was also key to their success last season, and with a record number of season tickets sold and excitement about a potentially more all-action style of play under the new head coach, there's real optimism among many fans.

Weaknesses? Injuries, particularly to key players. With goalkeeper Max O'Leary and left-back Cam Pring now set to miss the first couple of months of the season, and centre-back Luke McNally not likely to be fit until nearer Christmas, that's far from ideal with a relatively small squad.

Having got closer than they've been to the promised land of the Premier League last season, there's a feeling among some supporters that they wanted the club to really push the boat out this summer, which hasn't happened, leaving some worried they might have missed their chance.

Difference-maker? Former Preston striker Emil Riis could be the missing piece of the jigsaw if he can add a few more goals to a team that wasn't prolific last season.

Andy Giddings
Sports Editor, BBC Sheffield

Expectations? They are currently high of at least a play-off push under new boss Ruben Selles. However, there are still plenty of question marks over the future of several key players, and while Louie Barry and Tyler Bindon look good additions, several more players are required and, ideally, not many more significant departures.

Strengths? The vast majority of this squad won 92 points last season (with the points deduction). There is proven quality in all areas of the pitch and some excellent young players coming through.

Weaknesses? Potentially recruitment. It's been quiet so far, which with regard to outgoings is good, but less so with regard to incomings. Also there is apprehension around whether Selles-ball will work quickly enough to build a promotion push.

Difference-maker? If he stays, the Championships player of the year, Gus Hamer.

Sheffield United give debuts to Tyler Bindon and Louie Barry. Only give of the players in from the start today began in the Championship play-off final defeat against Sunderland.

Bristol City give debuts to three players. Manchester United loanee Radek Vitek is in in goal, Adam Randell starts in midfielder and ex-Preston man Emil Riis leads the line.

Last season's beaten play-off finalists against the team they dismantled 6-0 in the play-off semi-finals in May.

A lot has changed for both clubs since then though, not least in the dugout, where Ruben Selles is in for Chris Wilder for the Blades and Gerhard Struber for Liam Manning for the West Country side.

Kick off coming up apace. Team news momentarily.

• Charlton Athletic 1-0 Watford
• Coventry City 0-0 Hull City
• Southampton 2-1 Wrexham
• Middlesbrough 1-0 Swansea City
• Norwich City 1-2 Millwall
• Oxford United 0-1 Portsmouth
• Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Preston North End
• Stoke City 3-1 Derby County
• West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Blackburn Rovers

Let's take a look at the lay of the land on the first Saturday of the season in the Championship..

Tony 'Bomber' Brown
West Brom's all-time leading goalscorer on BBC Radio WM

West Brom have had to battle in that second half especially in that last quarter of an hour.

It's been a battle since taking the lead. It completely changed in the second half as Albion back peddled and got everyone behind the ball.

But they got the three points on the board and that's the main thing.

Sometimes you have to battle and show that character and that's how you get the three points.

Image source, Getty Images

Oh, boy did this one come to life.

The home side had much the better of things before the break but fell behind to Carlton Morris' fine effort.

Lewis Baker equalised with a quality hit from 20 yards out and that's how it stayed until time added on.

The hosts were not to be denied though and late, late goals from debutants Divin Mubama and Sorba Thomas gave them the points.

Not one which will live long in the memory, but it's a winning start to life as a manager for Ryan Mason at West Bromwich Albion.

Blackburn had won their past four opening day fixtures but Isaac Price tucked home in a melee after a Darnell Furlong long throw after 15 minutes and neither side was able to add to the scoring after that.

The one negative for Mason will be Furlong's late red card for a second booking which will see him miss their next game.

Valerien Ismael's return to The Hawthorns is an unhappy one.

A win away from home for John Mousinho's side with Adrian Segecic providing the winner.

It was not the greatest quality but Pompey probably just shaded the best of it, carving out the better chances and taking the one that mattered.

Aussie midfielder Segecic takes the honours with goal on debut, the 21-year-old Aussie picked up from the Dutch second division, kept his cool to slot home with his left foot on 39 minutes to land the points.

QPR end their run of losing on the opening day after three defeats in a row.

Preston, who have now won just one of their past 16 league games, levelled through Milutin Osmajic.

A first win at Carrow Road for the south Londonders since 1968 and a first defeat for Liam Manning as Norwich boss.

Macauley Langstaff gets the winner seven minutes from time.

I did wonder.

Darnell Furlong has picked up a second yellow card in stoppage time and West Brom will end the game with 10 men.

David Webb booked him for a cynical foul earlier in the half and a high foot on Yuki Ohashi has draw a second caution in the dying seconds.

Jake Cooper has got away with another 'robust' challenge on Josh Sargent which leaves the striker crumpled and holding his face.

Replays would suggest that an arm was raised and connection made but the referee's eyes were not looking that way.

Now Tristan Crama does go into the book for another hefty barge.

The away side take off forward Kayden Jackson and bring on defender Dion Sanderson.

Feels a bit of 'what we have, we hold' sub.

About three minutes of stoppage time to play.

Image source, PA Media

Dael Fry's flashing angled header from Morgan Whittaker's corner, just after half-time, was enough to win it.

Boro's dominance of the Swans at The Riverside continues and Rob Edwards' men win back to back games on the opening day for the first time since 1994.

They went on to win the Championship that year... who knows if this is the start of something special...