The Vanarama View: Six Big Things To Watch For In 2025

It only seems like last week the campaign got underway in the heady days of August but – even as temperatures plummet – things are really hotting up across the three divisions.

Tom Bodell from title sponsors Vanarama takes a closer look at six things we can look forward to over the next five months.

1. Title races going down to the wire

If it’s excitement, drama and a nail-biting finish you’re after, step right up. But if you’re a supporter of any of the sides at the summit of the National, North or South, prepare to be put through the ringer.

York City, Barnet and Forest Green Rovers have swapped places throughout the campaign almost weekly. But ask fans of Gateshead or Oldham Athletic and they’ll assure you their teams are in the picture, too.

In the North, Curzon Ashton and King’s Lynn Town are separated by goal difference only. Close behind, Scunthorpe United, Kidderminster Harriers and Brackley Town are hot on their tails.

While Torquay United are one of the biggest names in the South, few expected them to make a title push after a transformational summer on and off the field. Yet they lead a pack that includes Boreham Wood, Maidstone United, Dorking Wanderers, Eastbourne Borough and Truro City.

All season we’ve used underlying data in these columns to cut through the noise and reached an informed opinion. Good luck trying to predict who will be celebrating – and who will be commiserating – come April!

2. More shocks from the surprise packages Pt.1

The South was a foregone conclusion over the summer. Ask any seasoned observer and they’d point to Marc White’s Dorking Wanderers as Champions with Boreham Wood, Maidstone United, Worthing and Chelmsford City in the peloton behind them.

Wrong.

Instead, it’s new-look Torquay who lead the way. The Gulls’ heritage might have had them in the conversation but after signing an entirely new squad and appointing Paul Wotton, few had them pegged as contenders this early.

In fact, they’ve only reached the summit in recent weeks after Truro City and Eastbourne Borough traded blows. Even Hemel Hempstead, now preoccupied with a battle to avoid the drop, have been in contention.

As genuine neutrals in this – we always joke when asked that we dislike all your teams equally! – it’s great!

3. More shocks from the surprise packages Pt.2

What about National League North?

Scunthorpe United set off like a train and looked set to make good on last season’s promise under former favourite turned gaffer Andy Butler. They’re still in the mix, as they should be with players like Danny Whitehall and Cal Roberts, but it won’t be a procession.

Curzon Ashton’s success is built on a miserly defence that has conceded just 18 goals this term – the third fewest in the division. Player-manager Craig Mahon is still contributing on the field as well as leading his side admirably from the sidelines.

In hot pursuit are King’s Lynn Town, who appointed former Nash boss Adam Lakeland to get them out of trouble last term. He might still guide the Linnets out of the North – but at the right end this time.

Don’t rule out Darlington. The Quakers were another side to make a change last term, bringing in ex-Newcastle United utility man Steve Watson. After staving off relegation fears last term, he’s got the North-East outfit in promotion contention, nine years after their last.

4. More FA Cup heroics?

Tamworth are the sole Vanarama National League representatives in the FA Cup 3rd Round.

The Lambs’ journey has been incredible, seeing off EFL League One side Huddersfield Town at home in the 1st Round, thanks to a goal from a trademark Tom Tonks’ throw. Next, Andy Peaks’ men beat Burton Albion on the road to set up a tie-of-the-round visit from Tottenham Hotspur on January 12.

A record crowd is anticipated as last season’s National League North winners welcome the faltering Premier League giants. They do so at a time when Ange Postecoglou's side are in the midst of an injury crisis, too.

Could Tamworth repeat the trick? We wouldn’t rule it out.

5. Tomorrow’s stars continuing to flourish

Already this January we’ve seen players with National League roots continue their careers further up the pyramid.

Former York City defender Ben Godfrey has joined Premier League new-boys Ipswich Town on loan from Everton, after spending the first half of the season on loan at Europa League holders Atalanta.

Meanwhile, Callum Whelan stepped up to the EFL with his old Gateshead boss Mike Williamson, now in charge of Carlisle United.

Another Heed player, Owen Oseni, has been snapped up by Scottish Premiership side St. Mirren after netting 13 times for the Heed during the first half of the season.

We won’t upset any owners reading these by mentioning any names but we’re confident they won’t be the last players being snapped up by EFL clubs this month!

6. A Golden Boot race for the ages

At the time of writing, 10 players have hit double figures already (although one of those, Oseni, has left).

Ollie Pearce has taken to Step One like a duck to water after hitting 42 goals for Worthing last term. Fifteen for York City make him the league’s leading sharpshooter. Regan Linney is just one behind on 14 for Altrincham, proving there is life after Chris Conn-Clarke for the Robins.

A rich vein of form this winter has seen 12-goal Conor Wilkinson move into contention with Solihull Moors while Nick Haughton’s start to the campaign with AFC Fylde has him on the same number.

Wilkinson’s Moors team-mate Jack Stevens has enjoyed a stellar campaign at Damson Park with 11, while Kairo Mitchell – Vanarama National League Player of the Month in September – has 11, just two fewer than last term.

Nicke Kabamba (Barnet), Mani Dieseruvwe (Hartlepool United) and, most remarkably, right-back Gus Scott-Morriss (Southend United) all have 10.

Eastleigh’s Paul McCallum is the holder with 31. It might not take a similar tally to win it this year but it’s going to be keenly contested.

Photos by Kev Wilson, Emilio Reo and Adam Davy