The National League Season Review: What Went On In October?

MANarama National League:

Three clubs needed new managers as a turbulent month took its toll.

Dover’s dreadful start cost Chris Kinnear his job after over five years as his plans “failed to materialise in a satisfactory form".

He would quickly be replaced by Andy Hessenthaler, who left Eastleigh’s promotion push behind to try and keep his old club up.

With the club ten games winless is looked a huge task but Braintree’s looked bigger - they parted with promotion-winning boss Bradley Quinton.

Salford City still led the way at the end of the month even though October wan’t convincing as they dropped points to bottom side Braintree and slow starters Ebbsfleet.

Wrexham were second and their new boss Sam Ricketts already had his feet under the table.

A great October saw him take the Manager of the Month award - but his great start was beginning to catch the eye of other clubs.

The division underwent a rebrand all in the aid of charity.

The MANarama National League was born thanks to a partnership with Prostate Cancer UK which would go on to raise more than £150,000.

MANarama National League North:

Marc Richards was the man tasked with turning around the fortunes of troubled Hereford.

He joined a new look management team at the Bulls, but he wouldn’t have it all his own way as he took just two points from his opening four games.

Sam Collins started life as permanent York City boss in fine fashion after their win at Southport. But perhaps the Minstermen were shown how far away they were with defeat at promotion chasing AFC Telford United and Spennymoor Town.

Leaders Chorley were stopped in their tracks by Bradford (Park Avenue) and tasted defeat twice in as many games.

A brilliant hat-trick from Matty Warburton saw then mid-table Stockport County claim what eventually proved to be a huge win as the leaders were reined in to within a point by second-placed Kidderminster Harriers.

Reece Styche shocked Darlington fans by confirming a move to Alfreton Town as Billy Heath continued to plug their huge, Tom Denton-sized hole.

Liam Watson hoped a change in captain could reboot the Port’s dreadful season while FC United of Manchester announced Neil Reynolds as the man to hopefully push them in the right direction.

MANarama National League South:

Gary Johnson was really starting to get his feet under the table at Torquay United.

An unbeaten October which saw powerful away wins at Eastbourne and Wealdstone offered clues to what could be ahead. He was the Manager of the Month as the Gulls began to rise.

There was no sign of Billericay’s impending collapse as they ended to month on top.

Sitting just behind was Steve King’s Welling - but budget cuts ahead would hamper their progress.

Woking were still going strong, just three points off the lead while Bath City under Jerry Gill were starting to look the part.

They couldn’t say the same at Chelmsford who were in the lower half of the table and stuck in second gear.

Rod Stringer vowed to turn things around and he was as good as his word.

But Gloucester City suddenly had a situation. Hereford wanted their manager Marc Richards and were keen to get him.

The club turned to Chris Todd to try and keep them moving up the table but there were choppy waters ahead.