IT’S THE YEAR OF THE TERRAS!

THE BOOKIES certainly know who they fancy – Weymouth!

The Terras finished fifth in the Southern Premier last season with 97 points and with Hereford, Slough, King’s Lynn and Kettering out of the way, the tipsters fancy Mark Molesley’s men at 3/1.

It’s not too tough to see why. Brandon Goodship hit 38 goals last season and they’ll be looking for more of the same.

Poole Town were denied a place in the National League South play-off places two seasons ago because their Tatnum home didn’t meet ground grading requirements.

That disappointment seemed to roll over with their relegation last season, but anyone who knows their long-serving manager Tom Killick, will know there will be a determination to quickly put that right.

Of course there will be sides coming up with momentum and Steve Claridge’s Salisbury fall into that category. But they were beaten to the punch last season by Taunton Town who romped to the Southern League South & West title and boast players who have been successful further up the Pyramid.

The bookies have Leigh Robinson’s side at 16/1 along with Harrow Borough and Tiverton Town. It will be interesting to see if Craig McAllister can stop the rot at Gosport Borough. His assistant Matt Tubbs is still more than capable of scoring goals at this level – he’s the sort of player who will win games when it matters most.

Hendon lost the Bostik Premier play-off final in May but they shift into this division with a totally new squad and a new manager at the helm following Gary McCann’s decision to move to Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Incoming boss Jimmy Gray has had to completely rebuild the squad and admits it will take time to settle down. Having said that, he’s been successful at this level before with St Albans City and has recruited Football League experience with Marvin Morgan and Rene Howe.