Meet The Ten New Arrivals Ready For The Big Kick-Off!

Eight have come up and two have come down and we’ve saying hello to some old friends as well as welcoming new ones just beginning their journey.

Ambitions are of course always different with plenty happy to stabilise as they get used to their new surroundings, while others see no reason why they can’t be right up there.

They’ve all stuck with their managers - but naturally the same can’t be said about the playing squad.

The long summer is nearly at an end with the action about to return. So here’s a little look at the new arrivals heading our way this weekend as the countdown to the exciting new campaign continues.

Sutton United

As much as it’s great to have them back, we didn’t plan to meet again so soon.

After three years, Sutton United’s EFL stay is over. The arrival of Steve Morison offered the hope of salvation but ultimately the damage was done and the club couldn’t haul themselves out of the bottom two.

But despite the drop, they return to the division they won in 2021 in pretty good shape and have added no fewer than 16 new players as they look to achieve something rare and bounce back at the first time of asking.

They have said goodbye to some of the experienced heads that took them to the title like Harry Beautyman, Craig Eastmond and Rob Milsom but fans are confident with a deep squad which boasts cover and quality all over.

Forest Green Rovers

This proudly organic club have been firmly uprooted in recent seasons - and now they want to grow again.

Things were looking good two years ago, challenging the likes of Ipswich Town in League One with an impressive new stadium in the works. But things became, well, unsustainable.

Forest Green find themselves back in the National League seven seasons after escaping. It was back-to-back relegation, and eco owner Dale Vince knows how big this season is.

The big news this summer is that Steve Cotterill is staying. He’s taken charge of over 900 matches in his career and will need to summon all his experience to get the club challenging again.

Marine

It’s a well-worn cliche, but one magical FA Cup moment really can change it all.

Marine came to national attention when they clashed with Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham in the third round back in 2021.

That allowed them to lay the foundations - quite literally - with a 4G pitch generating life-giving revenue for the Merseyside club.

Marine now have two restaurants open all day every day and fans whose attention was drawn to Gareth Bale and co that day have been back with crowds up from around 200 to an average of 1,250 inside three years.

Up via the Northern League play-offs, they enjoyed an all time high after winning at well fancied Macclesfield. Marine have life.

Salisbury

It’s been a while, but the name of Salisbury will appear in National League fixture lists for the first time since 2014.

Then playing as City, the club were demoted after failing to settle with creditors and soon reformed - but critically keeping their home, they return ten years after their darkest day when it seemed all hope was lost.

Beating AFC Totton on penalties to clinch their return, the past problems are well and truly behind them.

Over 20,000 fans came to see their home matches last season and after some troubled times, Salisbury are certainly on the up again.

Leamington

Blink and you missed it! Leamington were promoted almost as swiftly as they went down.

They could act as a lesson to many. Despite relegation a year ago, there was never a question Paul Holleran would leave.

Sticking with their manager, they backed him the whole way and before long found themself back to where they came from.

Holleran is recovering after an operation for cancer but it won’t be long before its business as usual.

Radcliffe

The last time Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley took charge of a National League North match, trauma was around the corner. Worthy champions, but it didn’t really matter in the end.

They were never going to be gone for too long, and the former Salford City and Chester managers are chasing the climb once again.

They took Radcliffe up in their first season, the first time the club will be at this level in their 75th year history.

But they will remember what happened the last time they won promotion. The pair were sacked by Salford’s Class of 92 owners days after they took them into the National League - but surely this time their jobs are safe!

Enfield Town

The pioneers have created history - and they don’t plan on stopping there!

The UK’s first fully fan owned club made their supporters proud by reaching Step 2 for the first time in their short but proud history. Founded in June 2001, they set an important trend and are still giving inspiration today.

Defeating Chatham Town in style in the Isthmian Premier play-off final, the travelling Towners are now taking the next step on their epic adventure.

Vanarama National League South, you have been warned!

Needham Market

A Suffolk side winning promotion against all odds? Where have we heard that before.

It wasn’t just Ipswich Town hitting the headlines. Needham Market are up too - and they have been steered by a former Tractor Boy holding the wheel.

Kevin Horlick guided the club to the Southern League Premier Central title and will play at Step 2 for the first time.

He says they can surprise people again and fancies his team to make a real splash following a triumph not many of the club’s fans saw coming. Now there’s a National League North script to write.

Hornchurch

There will be a very familiar man prowling the touchlines again next season.

Daryl McMahon surprised many when he agreed to manage Isthmian League Hornchurch. He took over from EFL-bound Steve Morison in late January and had one mission: complete the job.

He clearly knew the Urchins were capable of rising.

They hit the 100 point mark, finishing some 21 points in front of runners up Chatham Town. Could the Essex club put in another title challenge like the old days?

Chesham United

Sometimes the longer you wait, the sweeter the success tastes.

Chesham United are back in Step 2 for the first time since 2003 - the General were very much in charge of the Southern Premier South, winning the league with four games to go.

One defeat in their 18 games enabled James Duncan and Michael Murray's side to storm clear of the chasing pack at the start of April. They would have won it by a greater margin had they not been in party mood for the final three matches!

After a number of near misses, their moment has arrived - and they’re determined to make up for lost time.