MATT BADCOCK
The National League’s ‘big guns’ are ready to fire in what is set to be a thrilling title race this term
WHILE people bickered about whether last season’s National League was the weakest in a while, Macclesfield Town played their way to the title and won’t care one jot if it was or wasn’t when they kick off in the Football League on August 4. It’s a tough one to judge. The season possibly lacked some of the huge games of recent seasons – 10,000 watching Luton v Oxford United, for example or a Stevenage v Cambridge – but it would be doing the teams who did well a disservice to diminish what was served up. Indeed, at one point in the season it seemed there was a different leader sat atop of the pile every Saturday evening. It’s exactly what Non-League football needs to prise people off their sofas to get out and watch this level of the game – especially the younger generation who are increasingly watching football through a screen, legal or otherwise.
Unique
When it came to opening out the play-offs to an extra two clubs, this neutral definitely pitched the tent in the sceptical camp. With only one side promoted automatically into the Football League, the chance of the seventh-place club going up as well leaves an uncomfortable feeling. But the National League take credit for shaking up the format, adding tension and drama at the end of a season. Again, good for getting bums on seats and feet on terraces. Although, it’s worth pointing out that the predetermined format could have seen second-place playing a higher placed side in the semi-final than the team who finished third. A tweak should be made to ensure the lowest placed side after the Eliminator round travels to second. As it was, that didn’t come into play last season and the final saw runner-up Tranmere Rovers promoted. In the National League North, Harrogate Town did the same, although in the National League South, Braintree Town returned to Step 1 after finishing in that final Wildcard spot. The fact they had to win three away games makes it hard to argue the Iron, under their talented manager Brad Quinton, didn’t deserve their glory. Speaking to National League chief exectuive Michael Tattersall earlier in the summer, he reiterated their feeling that the new format is working, has added something unique to their three leagues and will continue going forward. Whether that changes when – or should that be if – the long-awaited third promotion spot into the Football League is finally granted remains to be seen. As Tattersall himself remarked, that will be a nice problem to have. But for now it’s just two-up into the Football League and the new season is already looking mouthwatering. The bookies have got Salford City as favourites, which is no surprise following a summer shopping spree that brings to mind the line Steve Evans used when Crawley started splashing the cash: “We have no budget,” the Scot remarked, essentially saying money was no object. It means the Ammies have already secured themselves the role of pantomime villain and will be the club everyone wants to beat. Their signing of Danny Lloyd is one of the stand-out pieces of business by any club in the National League. The arrival of Danny Whitehead, outstanding in Macclesfield’s midfield last season, is another shrewd signing by the Class of 92. Budgets always have been and always will be a big talking point of football at this level. The knives are out even more than before, but a big spender is nothing new at any level of the game – above or below. At least Neville and Co. are investing in the infrastructure of a club they have, without doubt, transformed rather than, as has been seen in the past, just chucking pots of cash on the field. It brings an extra level of intrigue to what we hope will be a barnstomer of a season. Chesterfield and Barnet have come down from the Football League and appointed two of the best operators around in Martin Allen and John Still. Both have been busy in the transfer market since arriving at their respective desks and are recruiting well. Under boss Daryl McMahon, Ebbsfleet have a genuine chance in the new season with a talented squad under the guidance of a talented manager, while Aldershot Town fans will once again be hopeful with their favourite gaffer, Gary Waddock, in the dug-out. Ebbsfleet were dark horses last season along with AFC Fylde and both made it into top seven. Fylde will be better for their experience of losing in the Eliminator to Boreham Wood when they were overrun in the first half.
Masterstroke
Manager Dave Challinor has looked to address the squad depth in this offseason – his signing of England C captain Ryan Croasdale from Kidderminster is a masterstroke. The midfielder oozes quality and will load the bullets for Danny Rowe. Boreham Wood have lost the electric Bruno Andrade, keeper Grant Smith and there are reports Morgan Ferrier’s release clause has been activated by Tranmere but you wouldn’t bet against Luke Garrard’s side having another good season. Then there’s Sutton United, who have been riding on the crest of a wave for three or four years now. Paul Doswell and his team are doing a fantastic job, proving the doubters wrong week after week. Chris Kinnear gets Dover Athletic going every year and it will be interesting to see if new Wrexham boss Sam Ricketts can add more goals to mount a push. After last season’s farce, there’s more of a buzz around Hartlepool United and I’m expecting Justin Edinburgh to have turned Leyton Orient into a force over the summer. Of course, there will be surprises and disappointments – it’s what makes the this league one of the most exciting in the country.