Six Things To Look Out For In The New National League Season

New faces with familiar faces
Radcliffe will compete in the National League North for the first time in their history and they couldn’t have two men better equipped for the level. Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley are more well-known than most in these parts – the pair were promoted as champions with Salford City in 2017/18. The Boro will be looking to make a splash after winning the Northern Premier League by a convincing ten-point margin last time out.

Hornchurch and their boss have history with the National League South. The Urchins had two seasons at Step 2 in 20024/05 and 2012/13 in previous iterations of the club. In Daryl McMahon, they have a man at the helm well-versed in National League South promotions – he led Ebbsfleet United to promotion through via a Promotion Final in 2016/17.

Bouncebackability
It took a highest-ever points tally for York City to beat the drop last season which – despite relegation – should buoy the four sides who finished the wrong side of the dotted line. Phil Brown has committed to Kidderminster Harriers who will be looking to return at the first time of asking. They have Oxford City for company in the National League North who will be looking to impress under the tutelage of new boss Sam Cox.

In the National League South, Marc White has said he will forego sleep in his quest to regain Dorking Wanderers’ National League status – signings like goal-getter Rhys Murphy and Brennan Camp show he really means it.

Ross Jenkins will be desperate to add another National League South promotion to his CV. Back in the division for the first time since 2014/15, he knows Boreham Wood will want to make an immediate return to the top-flight.

Same again?
Relegated EFL pair Forest Green Rovers and Sutton United both have history from bygone years in the National League. The Yellows notched one of the most unexpected title wins in National League history back in 2020/21 and will be looking to continue their decent form under boss Steve Morison.

Steve Cotterill has history of his own in the National League. He won the Conference in 1998/99 Cheltenham Town and will be looking to repeat both his and his current employers’ history at this level. Rovers won promotion via the Promotion Final in 2016/17 under now-Yeovil Town boss Mark Cooper.

Fresh starts
Adam Hinshelwood will be relishing the chance to get a pre-season under his belt with York City after joining the Minstermen in February. They were flirting with relegation when the former Worthing boss came in and survived the drop by a single point.

With some old Worthing pals like Ollie Pearce and Joe Felix in the ranks now – along with solid additions like Alex Hunt, Tyrese Sinclair and Harrison Male – the sky could be the limit at the LNER Community Stadium this season.

Underdog story
Andy Peaks and Tamworth could be forgiven for looking at last season’s National League table and wincing – two of the previous season’s promoted sides went straight back down whilst two others came perilously close to the same fate.

But if last season is anything to go by, the Lambs may just fancy upsetting the apple cart once more. Unprecedented back-to-back promotions in the face of free-spending favourites Scunthorpe United has seen them return to the National League for the first time since 2014.

Experience has been added with the likes of Haydn Hollis to compliment a host of last season’s title winners who remain in Staffordshire. Do Tamworth have what it takes to spring a surprise once again?

Goal-fest
Last season saw more goals than ever scored across the regular National League campaign - not surprising given the exploits of Worthing's Ollie Pearce (41) and Eastleigh's Paul McCallum (31).

A number of the chasing pack remain in the National League, too, with the likes of Mani Dieseruvwe, Nicke Kabamba and James Norwood all looking to bag a top scorer gong. Hartlepool have added another contender with the signing of former Gateshead man Adam Campbell.

Look out to for Player of the Season Paul Blackett in the National League North who looks set to go again and Shaun Jeffers who took a while to get going last season but still ended up on 26 for the campaign at St Albans City.

IMAGE - GRAHAM SCAMBLER