Vanarama National League Ones To Watch: Part One

We asked Joe Pope, founder of Off The Line blog to assess the players you should be keeping an eye on next season.

Vanarama National League: Angelo Cappello (FC Halifax Town)

FC Halifax Town have developed nicely as the season has progressed under Chris Millington, with a host of young players having come to the fore as key performers.

Perhaps the pick of those is Angelo Cappello, who has continued to show real development for The Shaymen.

A player I am dubbing ‘The Angel-o of the North’, Cappello was signed in the summer as a relative unknown quantity; a brief loan spell with Blyth Spartans in the National League North was his only first-team experience prior to arriving at The Shay.

Following his release by Sheffield United, Millington made his move to land the diminutive wide player, and it is fair to say that decision has proved to be an inspired one.

Hailing from Corozal Town in South American, the Belizean international showed glimpses in the early part of the campaign as a tricky wide man – with trickery, nimble feet and agile movement – but as the season has gone on, Cappello has made a name for himself on the left of the Shaymen side in a largely unfamiliar wing-back role; but, he has certainly made that position his own.

Cappello has all the technical qualities with the ball to be a threat in the fifth tier and upwards, but it is perhaps his development in other parts of the game that have impressed; his work-rate and dogged determination to win the ball back have shone, and central to the success of their system. His pace enables him to be a threat on the counter in transition, and having watched him a couple of times in the flesh this season, he gets better and better every time.

After their FA Trophy success, FC Halifax Town will go into the 2023-24 campaign with renewed optimism and will be one of the teams to watch, and Cappello will be a leading light of that no doubt.

Vanarama National League North: Charlie Caton (Chester)

Chester have been one of the teams of 2022-23, scaling new heights under boss Calum McIntyre and only just missing out on promotion.

The Seals side is built around a core of impressive young players, and one which earnt lots of plaudits last term was young forward Charlie Caton.

And, having been on loan from Shrewsbury Town last year, Chester fans will now have the pleasure of watching him live as one of their own.

It is no surprise that McIntyre struck quickly to secure Caton’s services this summer following his release by Shrewsbury Town; no doubt he would have had lots of interest, but having been a key figure for The Seals last season, it was a no brainer to bring him back to the club.

In it, Chester have secured one of the brightest young talents in non-league.

Chester have employed an energetic, front-foot, all-action style under McIntyre, and the exuberance and unwavering work ethic of Caton has been an integral part of that.

Signed initially for a month, such was the impact he made for the side, McIntyre acted quickly to extend his stay until the end of the campaign.

Caton is a quick player, one capable of pressing from the front and being a nuisance for opposition defences with his willingness to win the ball back and set the tempo in the final third.

He shows a composure beyond his years in front of goal, contributing well in the scoring stakes last term, and I have no doubt that as Chester look to go one step further next term and win promotion from the National League North, he will go from strength to strength as a crucial player.

Vanarama National League South: Razzaq Coleman De-Graft (Maidstone United)

Maidstone United have not been hanging around in the market this summer, with a flurry of early additions as they look to rebuild following relegation, and one player they have signed who does catch the eye is Razzaq Coleman De-Graft.

Signing from Lewes, Coleman De-Graft has excited for The Rooks as a dynamic attacking player.

Playing under a coach in Tony Russell who has a good track record for developing and improving players – Ollie Tanner having made the step-up to Cardiff City last summer – Coleman De-Graft is the latest to make the transition to a higher level, and I am excited to see how he adjusts to life in the National League South.

George Elokobi has made clear his intentions of putting together an attacking, front-foot side full of pace and power, and Coleman De-Graft is a well-aligned fit to this philosophy.

Coleman De-Graft dropped down to Lewes after a spell with Hampton and Richmond in order to make a name for himself and improving his game, and it is fair to say he has made quite the name for himself; a key attacking force for Lewes.

Predominantly a winger, his raw speed makes him a real handful in isolating defenders and engaging in foot races, cutting in off the channels and providing an option in behind. A mazy dribbler that is direct and skilful, he is good at getting to the byline and picking out his team mates.

He has added end product to his game, ending his tenure with Lewes in perfect fashion with a hattrick on the final day of the 22-23 campaign. If he can transfer his skillsets seamlessly to the National League South, he will be a handful for most defences and the explosive final third figure United have been crying out for.