The 21 Things To Watch Out For In Season 2020-21

Missed it? You bet! The National League season starts this afternoon, and while the road has not always been an easy one to navigate, the moment has arrived at last.

They do say good things come to those who wait, but which sides will get off to a flyer on Saturday - and where will the traditional opening day headline be made?

With the National League North and South also days away from getting going, there’s lots to discuss.

To celebrate the long-awaited return of league action, we’ve put together some important things to watch out for.

After the longest countdown ever to a season, why not sign off with another!

So here are our 21 things to keep a close eye on as we raise the curtain to the 2020-21 campaign…..

1: More bookie bashing?
Be honest. Who backed Barrow to win the title? What about Wealdstone to take the South glory? OK, King’s Lynn to star in the North? This is the place you just can’t predict!

2: Ross to boss it?
How often do National League clubs sign a striker who has commanded over £25m in transfer fees? We await Ross McCormack’s Aldershot impact with interest!

3: Managerial first timers.
They say you often sink or swim in year one so you can’t help but wish the best to Hereford’s Josh Gowling, Weymouth’s new manager Brian Stock, Russ Penn at Kidderminster and Blyth Spartans boss Michael Nelson.

4: Rooney’s return
Fresh - well, kind of fresh - from winning the title with Barrow, John Rooney has chosen to remain in the competition with Stockport County. Can he match up to last time?

5: A Hollywood blockbuster!
Let’s face it, usually films about football are pants. But with A-List actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney keen to buy Wrexham, this one could be box office. Stay tuned!

6: Good Darts?
From being relegation strugglers in October to a penalty shootout of promotion, Dartford manager Steve King totally transformed the club’s fortunes. Now he wants another go at it in the National League South.

7: Kids are alright
There’s nothing quite like a fearless young player coming through. Keep your eye on Chelmsford’s Daniel Imray, Chester’s Ethan Cartwright, Eastleigh starlet Tom Bearwish and Solihull’s Joe Sbarra.

8: Pools’ time to party?
Hartlepool United supporters believe in manager Dave Chaillinor. Will a raft of impressive signings see their highest place finish for some time?

9: German efficiency
It’s fair to say 2020 hasn’t been great for too many of us. But two German managers certainly enjoyed it! Will compatriot Dennis Kutrieb also have the golden touch at Ebbsfleet?

10: Jim to be the Fylde fixer?
Many had AFC Fylde down for promotion last season. They ended up being relegated. Jim Bentley will know they are fancied this time around - and knows the Coasters need to deliver.

11: Basement battlers
Hungerford Town and Bradford PA propped up the rest last season but have been handed a stay of execution. Will the basement boys from 2019-20 learn their lesson?

12: Magpies making history
It’s not how they wanted to celebrate it, but Maidenhead United turn 150 this year. Alan Devonshire will be desperate to avoid a struggling to mark the occasion.

13: Home help gone?
We’ve seen in behind-closed-doors games that home advantage is diluted. Good news then perhaps for poor travels Wrexham, Chorley, Dagenham in particular - with Billericay and Bradford PA also bad on the road last term.

14: A Weymouth welcome
OK, a smashing seaside away day isn’t happening quite yet but after back-to-back promotions Terras fans will be asking ‘can we?’. New manager Brian Stock is a great young coach.

15: Lynn it to win it!
Well, that isn’t quite King’s Lynn’s attitude but they are desperate to not just make up the numbers. Manager Ian Culverhouse hopes the “culture shock” for big teams arriving at The Walks will aid the newboys’ cause.

16: Grounds for optimism
It’s always hard saying goodbye but new homes will bring new memories. For fans of York City, Gloucester City and Boston United, they hope their super new stadiums will spark a rise up the divisions.

17: Spireites’ fresh start
A new era beckons at Chesterfield with community ownership. Debt free and looking forward, John Pemberton will be convinced improvement is coming on the pitch after their 20th place finish last time.

18: Style and sophistication.
Altrincham won’t be concerned if they get off to a slow start. Three months into last season they were just a few points outside the National League North drop zone. Phil Parkinson stuck to his ball-playing beliefs and they went up. He won’t change that approach.

19: Friends to colleagues
New Hemel Hempstead manager Lee Bircham and chairman Dave Boggins go way back. Lee told us this summer: “Oh, I’ve got too much on him for him to give me the boot!” - we’ll keep a close eye on this one.

20: No grey hairs for Gary!
Gary Johnson would love nothing more than to celebrate his 35th season as a manager back in the EFL. The Torquay United boss is rolling back the years - and has made some vital defensive signings.

21: Second time the charm?
We’ve seen it before - a year to assess what’s going on and have a real go in season two. Both Notts County and Yeovil will want to take strides forward in 2020-21 after both lost out in the play-offs a few months ago.