Bristol Rovers arguably face the biggest test in 94 years as they play their first non-league football match in the Conference Premier against Grimsby Town at the Memorial Stadium, with the day’s early kick-off unveiling the non-league campaign.

The Pirates suffered relegation from League Two on the final day of last season and manager Darrell Clarke offered an emotional response in the post-match press conference as the club dropped out of the Football League.

They’re not the first established league side to drop through the trap door, and they won’t be the last, but Rovers are determined to bounce back at the first attempt and gain automatic promotion.

But relegation isn’t that simple. Non-league football isn’t that simple. Luton Town are a prime example. 

Having been relegated out of the Football League for the first time in 89 years in 2009, it took the Hatters five years and three managers to rebuild and get promoted.

And opponents Grimsby know Bristol’s feelings all too well. In 2010 a 3-0 defeat away at Burton Albion saw them relegated out of the Football League for the first time in 99 years.

There is a combined total of 193 years between the two sides in the Football League without relegation and for Grimsby they are still battling to get back to where they feel they belong.

The Mariners’ four years in the Conference Premier has seen them finish 11th twice and compete in the play-off places the past two years, finishing fourth place on both occasions. 

Last season Grimsby fell to Gateshead in the semi-final and the campaign before saw them defeated by Newport County. 

Three managerial changes during their time in non-league hasn’t gifted them promotion.

With just one automatic promotion spot up for grabs and the lottery of the play-offs for another, an immediate return to League Two is not a given. 

Under the stewardship of Clarke, Rovers are in capable hands. 

The former Salisbury City boss guided the Whites into the Conference Premier via the Conference South play-offs in 2013.

John Still’s Luton steam rolled the Conference Premier last season, winning the league at a canter by 19 points. 

Many may expect Bristol to do the same but that’s dependent on the club, manager and players being able to withstand that pressure. 

Even Luton went through three managers before they finally achieved promotion and Clarke will be well aware of the fans expectation for the coming season. 

The 36-year-old can paint as good a picture as he likes but his neck will be on the line should Bristol fail to gain promotion.

Clarke’s opposite number Paul Hurst will no doubt be aiming to continue his form since taking sole charge last September and achieve another play-off spot, at minimum. 

Following the visit of Grimsby, Bristol Rovers face two away trips to Barnet and Altrincham. 

Football has a funny way of sending predictions into a spiral but an ideal start for the non-league newcomers will be maximum nine points. 

Failure to pick up a win in the opening three games could very quickly send a reality check across the blue half of Bristol.