NATIONAL LEAGUE
ALDERSHOT ALTRINCHAM
All eyes are on Wrexham with A- List owners, but spare a thought for Dover
Danny Searle’s side secured a solid mid- table finish last season, and the Shots’ boss has been active in the transfer market as he targets improvement this time out. However, it remains to be seen whether the team’s additions – including Fulham youngster Jayden Harris and Wycombe defender Giles Phillips – will inspire any significant change this season.
The big news out of Altrincham this summer was their decision to delay a move towards a hybrid model of part- time and full- time players – not that it’s stopped boss Phil Parkinson ( not that one; more on him later) from adding striker Marcus Dinanga and centre- back Kennedy Digie. A lower- mid- table finish seems likely, but it’d be a solid foundation to build on if the move towards professional football comes next summer. for boss Daryl Mcmahon this summer. New arrivals have been limited, although 23- year- old Barnet forward Josh Walker has ventured east to bolster the numbers. Either way, it seems likely that the Daggers will still be one of the main contenders for a play- off spot this campaign.
improving on last season’s ninth place. Bristol Rovers duo Josh Hare and Michael Kelly have moved south, but expect more of the same this season.
The Mariners are back in the National League after a five- season stint in League Two. The manager who hauled them back into the Football League in 2016 has returned to Blundell Park, however – and Paul Hurst has endured a hectic summer. A string of new signings have arrived after several exits; of those, experienced duo Ryan Taylor and Shaun Pearson will be particularly important.
Transfer headlines at The Shay have been dominated by two significant outgoings, as highly rated defender Jeff King joined Chesterfield and midfielder Jack Earing earned a move to League Two Walsall. Boss Pete Wild will have to make serious moves ahead of ( and during) the new season if his side are to better last term and crack the play- offs.
Midfielder Sonny Carey’s switch to Championship newcomers Blackpool was the most significant news at The Walks this summer, but the 20- year- old had earned his shot at a higher level with a number of standout performances for the Linnets. Manager Ian Culverhouse will hope new signings Junior Morais ( formerly of Peterborough) and young defender Pierce Bird ( once of Notts County) will help the club to avoid a relegation battle.
Wily Alan Devonshire will always be Maidenhead’s main asset, as his experience and know- how at this level mean the Magpies will remain a dangerous opponent. Bringing in Kane Ferdinand from Woking will improve his side – but the loss of lively forward Danilo Orsi to Harrogate leaves a significant hole in the York Road outfit’s squad.
An extra- time defeat in the play- off semi- finals at Torquay ended hopes of capping County’s stay in non- league at two seasons – but this summer, there’s reason for cheer at Meadow Lane ( above). The return of ‘ Geordie Messi’ Callum Roberts from injury, plus the signing of fellow Tynesider Kyle Cameron, should have Ian Burchnall’s men pushing at the right end of the table once again.
The appointment of former AFC Wimbledon and Notts County manager Neal Ardley gives the Moors some reason for enthusiasm this season. With good contacts around the non- league scene and in the EFL, the former Don can stretch his network to make Solihull top- seven challengers for 2021- 22 – if he gets the right additions through the door, that is.
Eleven years ago, Phil Brown was a Premier League manager with Hull. On day one of the new campaign, however, Sam Allardyce’s former sidekick will be on a National League touchline. After EFL relegation with a young squad, Brown’s preparations have focused around adding experience; 30- somethings Josh Coulson, Rhys Murphy, Abu Ogogo and James Dunne have all signed on. As any newly relegated team will tell you, a good start will be vital.
Simon Rusk’s appointment caught many by surprise last season, but the former Brighton man came close to leading County into the play- off final. Eventual winners Hartlepool crushed the Hatters’ hopes of ending their 10- year stay in non- league, but Rusk has opted for evolution rather than revolution this summer: nabbing widemen Elliot Newby and Ben
It’s been a hectic summer for the Stones, with several key players departing. Michee Efete has joined Grimsby, goalkeeper Jake Askew hot- footed it to Barnet, while Jacob Mendy and Connor Smith were both snapped up by Boreham Wood. Stuart Maynard has been active in replacing them, but his target remains the same: extending Wealdstone’s National League stay into a third year.
An 18th- place finish represented a solid first season in the National League, but there’s no doubt that the Terras face a tough challenge again this time. After his side’s relatively goal- shy season, Brian Stock has focused on bolstering their forward line with Tom Bearwish, Bradley Ash and the returning Brandon Goodship – but each of them will have to hit the ground running if their team are to stay up.
Building towards full- time football has been top of the agenda for Woking manager Alan Dowson this summer – and he’s certainly been busy. A whole host of new faces have joined the Cards, with the likes of Rohan Ince, Joe Mcnerney and Inih Effiong giving Dowson the belief that his men can stay away from relegation trouble.
New Hollywood owners in Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mcelhenney, sponsorship from Tiktok and the appointment of former Sunderland and Bolton manager Phil Parkinson have ensured Wrexham ( main image) are never far from the headlines. With a strong budget and an ambitious plan on and off the field, it’ll be well worth keeping an eye on the Racecourse Ground. Just try ignoring them.
Darren Sarll’s side ended last term in lower- mid- table, so will hope to at least push towards the top 12 in the coming campaign. Impressive additions like Chesterfield keeper Grant Smith and experienced defender Mark Little will help, but losing top scorer Rhys Murphy to Southend was a bitter blow.