NATIONAL LEAGUE IN BRIEF
THE National League promotion final will be played on a Saturday for the first time in seven years next season. The 2018 Step 1 showpiece will remain at Wembley Stadium, kicking off at 3pm on Saturday, May 12, and will be shown live on BT Sport. The National League North and South promotion finals will be played 24 hours later on Sunday, May 13 and will still be hosted by the highest-placed club.
THERE will be a new face in the Boreham Wood dugout this season with former Luton and Stevenage coach Terry Harris joining as assistant manager. Harris, 59, spent the recent campaign at Dagenham under John Still, who he worked with at Luton, and has joined Luke Garrard on an undisclosed-length contract. Harris said: “I can bring experience with me because I have been very fortunate during my time with John Still.”
SHWAN JALAL is returning to Moss Rose after Macclesfield re-signed the goalkeeper from fellow National League side Wrexham. Jalal, 33, spent the 2015-16 season with the Silkmen making 38 appearances, but moved to Wrexham last summer. He made 24 appearances for the Dragons, but was not offered new terms and the Iraq-born man returns to Macclesfield, having also spent time at Peterborough and Bury.
LEFT-SIDED midfield Nathan Ralph will again wear Woking colours this upcoming season after signing a new deal with the Cards. Ralph, 24, made over 30 appearances for the side last season as they avoided relegation having previously played for Kettering Town, Yeovil Town and Aldershot Town. Ralph said: “I enjoyed my year last year; I know we didn’t do as well as we hoped we would, but I played games and I enjoyed my football. It was a club I was more than happy to stay at.”
FORMER Newport County goalie Joe Green will ply his trade with Guiseley after signing a deal at the National League club. Green, 21, spent last season on loan at Scarborough Athletic and will provide competition to Jonny Maxted in between the sticks at Guiseley. Green has also spent time with Sheffield United, but joined Newport ahead of the 2015-16 season.
TORQUAY UNITED keeper Brendan Moore has joined League One side Rochdale. The 25-year-old American stopper originally came to England to sign for Fleetwood Town, but failed to make an appearance for the Cod Army. After an initial loan, he signed for the Gulls and made 48 appearances. Boss Kev Nicholson has signed Ryan Higgins from Southport as well as ex-Grimsby Town duo Josh Gowling and striker Jon-Paul Pittman.