The Vanarama View: Six Big North And South Questions!

Tom Bodell from title sponsors Vanarama looks at six big questions ahead of the 2024/25 campaign across National League North and South...

1. Will Chester match their pre-season billing?

It’s easy to forget during the long summer weeks that football is played on grass, rather than paper – or computer screens!

But in National League North, Chester’s off-season business has made them heavy favourites with many. None more so than Radcliffe’s joint manager Anthony Johnson.

The return of ‘King Kurt’ Willoughby on a season-long loan from Oldham Athletic was enough for Johnson, something of a promotion specialist himself, to tweet: “Statement. Chester FC have just won the 24/25 National League North title.”

The return of a striker who netted 27 in 52 appearances for the Seals during his first spell only enhanced the additions of Connell Rawlinson (Notts County), Mitch Hancox (York City) and Dan Turner (Brackley Town), among others.

Over to you, Chester....

2. Can history makers Radcliffe repeat?

We’re not letting Johnson’s Radcliffe off the hook here, either. The Boro made history by reaching National League North for the first time after winning the Northern Premier League Premier Division in April.

That was just the latest promotion of Johnson and joint-manager Bernard Morley’s careers to date.

Names ring a bell? They led the Class-of-92-owned Salford City to a hat-trick of promotions and delivered back-to-back promotions with Ramsbottom United. Getting teams up is what they do.

Whether or not Radcliffe expect to be in promotion contention this season, they have a management team who have a track record of success. Not only that, Johnson and Morley have managed at this level before with Salford, Chester and Spennymoor Town. Don’t take them lightly.

3. Second time lucky for Scunthorpe United?

If Chester need any reminder of what the pre-season favourites tag means, they need only look at Scunthorpe United’s first season at Step Two, where they lost in the playoffs to rivals Boston United.

It’s been all change this summer with Jimmy Dean stepping aside to be succeeded by former Iron centre-back Andy Butler.

But after coming agonisingly close to a swift return to the National League last time round, Butler has preferred nuanced adjustment rather than wholesale change to his squad. Former Chorley attacker Carlton Ubaezuonu is arguably the standout acquisition, while Boston centre-back-cum-left-back Brad Nicholson elected to stay in the North after winning promotion with the Pilgrims.

Expectations will once again be high at Glanford Park, where the Iron are celebrating their 125th anniversary. What better way to celebrate than a first promotion since 2014?

4. All eyes on Dorking Wanderers – can they deliver?

Back in National League South after two seasons bloodying noses in the National League, Dorking Wanderers cannot go under the radar.

Marc White’s side have a global following thanks to their Bunch of Amateurs YouTube series – not to mention their owner-cum-manager's larger-than-life personality!

Promotion specialist White (12 in 23 seasons) has cleared the decks at Meadowbank this summer, keeping faith with a number of the players who took the Surrey side from park football to Step One.

Retaining key attacking trio Alfie Rutherford, Jason Prior and James McShane should guarantee goals, while former Yeovil and Southend United striker Rhys Murphy only augments a stacked attack. Whatever happens, it’s bound to be box office.

5. What will Torquay United’s new era look like?

It’s always darkest before dawn as the saying goes, and Torquay United endured more than their fair share of dark days in 2023/24.

The Devon side finished the campaign three places above the drop zone after a 10-point deduction for entering administration – their lowest league finish since 1927.

But things are looking up following a takeover by a consortium of local businessmen, while managerial legend Neil Warnock has been appointed to an advisory role, with ex-Truro City boss Paul Wotton installed in the dugout.

A raft of new signings have filled out a previously thin squad and hopes are high that the Gulls can finally start heading back in the right direction after relegation and concerns about their long-term future.

6. Will takeover propel Chelmsford City to promotion?

Defeat to eventual Promotion Final winners Braintree Town was a cruel end to a brilliant 2023/24 for Chelmsford City who finished runners-up to Champions Yeovil Town.

Local businessman Spencer Gore bought a 60% majority stake in the club over the summer and that has only lifted expectations once more. Speaking to BBC Essex Sport, he said: "Because of the timing of the takeover, the budgets had already been set for this season. The budget that had been set for this season was slightly bigger than last season.

"We'll review that and look at what we think we need to do to achieve the goals. But Robbie's more than comfortable with the budget he's got to achieve promotion, which is our goal for this season."

All eyes will be on the Clarets. Pressure makes diamonds!

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