The Top 10 Most Intriguing National League North Fixtures

Salford City V Darlington (5th August)
In such a competitive league, many teams will see themselves as having a chance of going up, on the opening day two of the favourites in the battle for promotion meet, writes Tom Feaheny.

Both sides finished in the top five places last season and have brought in a number of new signings as they look to gain promotion. They have also mirrored each other with both gaining promotion from the Evo-Stik Northern Division One North and then the Premier in consecutive seasons.

Kidderminster V Chorley (5th August)
These two sides faced each other for a chance to be in the promotion final last season, with Chorley upsetting the odds and defeating the Harriers 2-0 at the Aggborough.

Both squads have been added to with ex National League players coming into the teams, again this match will be too close to call on the day as things stand.

Harrogate Town V York City (23rd September)
Due to their locality this for the past few seasons has been a pre-season friendly, with York being two leagues higher just two seasons ago.

This is Harrogate Town's first season as a full-time club, while City decided to not go part-time after their relegation last campaign.

Alfreton Town V Harrogate Town (28th October)
John McDermott worked with Simon Weaver for six and a half seasons, with both speaking highly of each other as McDermott initially left his role as assistant at Harrogate to become Diretcor of Football at Cleethorpes Town.

He has since taken on his first managerial position at Alfreton and will face his friend Weaver competitively for the first time. Ex Harrogate players Luke Shiels and Tom Platt have also made the switch from Harrogate to Alfreton as well.

Stockport County V FC United of Manchester (4th November)
Last season this game at Edgeley Park saw a record crowd for the Vanarama National League North with 5,630 in attendance that day.

These games always have a good atmosphere, with plenty there and the matches themselves have been competitive, last season both gained a victory against each other.

Boston United V Gainsborough Trinity (26th December)
These two sides will face each other on Boxing Day and then New Years Day, in the tradition of the Vanarama National League schedule.

Gainsborough boss Dave Frecklington is certainly looking forward to these matches: "As a Lincoln boy I'm excited about the Boston United games. Local derbies get the blood bubbling and local pride is at stake so I'm sure they will be feisty encounters and ones I'm looking forward to."

Spennymoor Town V Blyth Spartans (1st January)
These two North East sides will also face each other twice within a week once in 2017 and then at the start of 2018, both teams gained promotion last season from the Evo-Stik Northern Premier.

Both managers have stayed loyal to a majority of their promotion winning squads, while also being able to bring in a few players that have been seen as smart additions.

Boston United V North Ferriby United (20th January)
The Villagers are back in the Vanarama National League North after a season in the National League, their matches against Boston United will be interesting games.

Ex Gainsborough Trinity boss Steve Housham is also in charge of Ferriby and the last games between the two sides were the play-off semi-finals during the 2015/16 season when Ferriby overturned a 2-0 first leg defeat to win 3-2 on aggregate.

Also through in that full-back Taron Hare has joined the Pilgrims in recent weeks from Ferriby, makes these matches even more interesting.

York City V Southport (17th March)
The Minstermen face Southport on St Patrick's Day, and if last seasons game at Bootham Crescent is anything to go by this will be a cracker.

Last season a 5-3 victory for City was confirmed after they had fallen 3-1 behind just before half-time. Two of the goals scored for the Sandgrounders were by Louis Almond, who has since joined City.

Stockport County V Darlington (28th April)
You have got to put a final game of the season in this list, if it is to go like last season then there will be something on the line at both ends of the table, hopefully that is the case again.

One game that stands out is the match at Edgeley Park, whether these two will be fighting for the title, a play-off place or anything at all remains to be seen, but it is set to be a good game.

Whatever happens this season it is certainly bound to be one of the most competitive from top to bottom, remember to follow all the results and latest news here on https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/

Picture taken by Josh Vesper