Who’ll Be Joining The National League Party Next Season?

In fact we've already started as the feeder leagues reach crunch time and we now know two of the teams joining the party next season.

On Saturday, Worthing were crowned champions of the Isthmian Premier Division and will take their place in the National League next season.

Ollie Pearce and Jasper Pattenden’s goals got the champagne flowing against Bowers & Pitsea and the club whose crowds have often hit 1,500 this season are already looking forward to their new adventure.

The dream was realised for passionate owner George Dowell, the promising footballer who was left paralysed as a teenager.

He found life focus at a heartbreaking time, taking over the struggling club with his compensation and nearly 12 years to the day of the almost-deadly car smash he celebrated the landmark moment.

The promotion bubbly was flowing seven days earlier.

Banbury United’s incredible Southern League Premier Division Central season has been one of the club’s best ever.

With an incredible 93 points from their 37 games so far, they were crowned champions with the best part of a month to go.

Manager Andy Whing’s team will grace the competition next season and it doesn’t look like they will be there to make up the numbers.

Whing to the Banbury Guardian: “We'd like to get to 100 points now, that's our next target. Hopefully we can finish the season strongly.

“Knowing what the club has been through in the past few years, with Covid and before, it’s incredible. I'm really pleased for everybody.”

Who’s up next?

Two down, two to go. Well, before the play-off fun and games begin.

It’s too tight to call in the Southern League South and we’re still no clearer to discovering the champions.

Hayes & Yeading and Taunton Town are locked on 82 points at the top, but the Peacocks will fancy their chances. Not only with a game in hand, they beat title rivals Met Police 1-0 on Saturday.

But don’t discount another former member club.

Farnborough are three points off top spot and also have a game on leaders Hayes.

The last day of the season? It’s only Taunton Town vs Farnborough!

It looks like it will be either Buxton or South Shields who join the National League next season.

As things stand in the Northern Premier League, Buxton have a two-point advantage with three matches to go.

On Saturday, Steve Cunningham’s team easily dispatched of Grantham Town 3-0 while Kevin Phillips’ Mariners hit Stalybridge Celtic for four.

With a superior goal difference, two wins and a draw may be enough for Buxton to get over the line - but there are surely twists and turns to come.

Next season is already shaping up weeks before this one has ended!

PHOTO BY MIKE GUNN