Let's Meet The New Kids On The National League Block!

With new management teams installed, signings unveiled and season tickets selling like hot cakes, we take a look at what you can expect from the new faces who will be plying their trade in the National League this season.

Tom Scott takes you on a whistle-stop tour of the new clubs in town and offers a few clues about what can be expected of them come the big kick-off.

Chesterfield (Relegated From League Two)

New manager Martin Allen has raised a few eyebrows since swapping North London for Derbyshire. From taking control of the club’s website, to meeting fans who purchase season tickets, he has ensured the feel good factor is back at Chesterfield.

Allen was unable to halt Barnet’s slide back into non-league but will be hoping for an immediate return with the Spireites. Prized asset Kristian Dennis’ departure was inevitable following relegation.

Leaving for Notts County in the end, his fee has been reinvested in experienced National League campaigners Will Evans and Sam Wedgbury, not to mention, Shwan Jalal who won the title last season between the sticks for Macclesfield.

The club have announced impressive season ticket sales so far, and the fans will expect nothing less than an immediate return to league football.

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Barnet (Relegated From League Two)

Barnet called for ‘stability and experience’ after last season’s relegation from the football league. Who better then than John Still? The former Dagenham manager takes the Hive hot seat for the third time and will be itching for another promotion from the National League.

Still has overseen something of a mini overhaul of his squad with no fewer than 13 players moving on including Michael Nelson, Curtis Nelson and Ryan Watson. The club have also announced this week that they have accepted a bid for goal machine John Akinde.

Boss Still has made good use of his previous connections, bringing in Mark Cousins, Andre Boucaud and Craig Robson, all from Dagenham and Redbridge. Cheye Alexander has also signed on from Aldershot.

With an experienced campaigner like John Still at the helm, it would be dangerous to bet against the Bees for a push for promotion back to League Two.

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Hereford (Southern League Premier champions)

The Bulls are making their way back up the football pyramid with a vengeance. Three promotions in as many years and the demise of their predecessors Hereford United is a thing of the distant past.

Peter Beadle hasn’t looked back since returning to the newly formed club as manager. Having won a treble in his first season, he now finds himself and the club, in the National League North for the first time after winning the Southern Football League last season. Can they make it four promotions in a row?

Despite losing talisman John Mills, Hereford have made good use of the close season. Jennison Myrie-Williams has signed on for another campaign, and Lance Smith’s goals will be valuable.

Beadle has done well to strengthen throughout his side, with a good balance of youth and experience, evident in the recent additions of Harry White, Keiran Thomas, Danny Greenslade and Lewis Hall.

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Slough Town (Southern League Premier play-off winners)

Last season was one to remember for the Rebels. A record breaking season for the club saw them end their campaign with a play-final win against King’s Lynn Town. A televised FA Cup 2nd Round clash also provided a revenue boost.

Only one of Slough’s squad from last season (Matt Lench) has moved on so far, with Sam Togwell coming in to add experience in midfield.

Joint managers Neil Baker and Jon Underwood will be looking to consolidate in their inaugural National League South season but with the league being so competitive this season it won’t be easy.

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Billericay Town (Bostik Premier League champions)

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The previous circus that surrounded Billericay when Glenn Tamplin took the helm seems to have transitioned into a well oiled machine.

Ground redevelopment, sustainable recruitment and community involvement are all components that fans will hope can secure long term success at the AGP Arena, Tamplin explains.

Harry Wheeler will be looking to build on last season’s successful campaign and has already secured a number of players with higher level experience such as Simon Walton and Callum Kennedy.

Ricay fans have been used to silverware in the last three seasons and will no doubt be hoping the club can challenge at the right end of the National League South and push on for Football League status in the coming seasons.

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Dulwich Hamlet (Bostik Premier League play-Off winners)

The Hamlet gained promotion to the National League South at the fourth time of asking after beating Hendon on penalties in last season’s play-off final. The club spent an incredible 111 years in the Isthmian Football League and now the sky’s the limit for their committed supporters.

Their success didn’t go unnoticed higher up the chain. Football League clubs were circling around striker Reise Allassani, with Coventry City finally putting pen to paper.

Manager Gavin Rose has been boosted by ten of last season’s squad signing on for more, as well as the acquisition of Anthony Cook whose addition is sure to be a signal of intent to the rest of the division as the midfielder brings National League experience to Rose’s men.

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Altrincham (Evo-Stik League Premier champions)

An immediate return for Alty sees them back in the National League North having gained plaudits for their attractive football last season.

Manager Phil Parkinson has called on fans to be realisitic with their expectations and said the coming season will all be about ‘finding their place’ in the division and making the club sustainable.

The Robins could be promotion candidates this season with fifteen of last season’s league winners have already put pen to paper for the upcoming campaign. Transfer news has been few and far between so far as Parkinson looks to give his squad a chance to prove themselves at the higher level.

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Ashton United (Evo-Stik League Premier play-off winners)

Pre-season preparations at Hurst Cross haven’t been helped by the departures of key players John Pritchard and Dominic Smalley, but there is a sense of optimism around Ashton United that could see them upset the apple cart.

Manager Jody Banim’s team are hard working and resilient and despite not having the budget of their National League North counterparts, the manager says he has added names and all will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Last season’s heroics will give the fans confidence of staying in the division as Banim looks for his team to ‘punch above their weight’ again.