Your Club-By-Club Guide: The Vanrama National League

This Saturday sees it all start again. Nine months of ups, downs, anguish, delight and joy in equal measure.

So get in the mood for the big kick-off with our look ahead to what we can expect.

AFC Fylde
(National League: 7th)

So far so good in the National League. A first-season play-off finish was above expectation, so what about year two? Manager Dave Challinor’s new deal offers security. Record signing Ryan Croasdale offers quality on the ball. Danny Rowe, who is staying put, offers guaranteed goals.

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Aldershot
(National League: 5th)

It’s been a tricky summer with key departures in defence. Shots will miss Will Evans, who has gone to Chesterfield, and fellow centre-back Callum Reynolds - who joins Barnet. But recent deals offer fans hope - as does the arrival of three new ambitious directors.

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Barnet
(League Two: 23rd)

The Bees are going back to go forward. Returning to the division they won back in 2015, they hope to do it all again under a manager who has been in charge twice before. John Still is as good as they come at this level. He brings with him some trusted friends from Dagenham.

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Barrow
(National League: 20th)

After a season to forget, the Bluebirds hope to be singing a different tune next term. Ian Evatt begins his managerial journey and his first objective is to win the fans round and quickly. Just one home win since October paints a clear picture of his starting point.

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Boreham Wood
(National League: 4th)

Wood have made a massive signing this summer - manager Luke Garrard. Seen as one of the most talented young bosses in the game, his signature beats that of a 30-goal striker. Saying that some good signings, like Dover’s Manny Parry, always help but can they fill the boots of Bruno Andrade?

Braintree Town
(National League South: 7th)

After their incredible achievement comes the hard work. Having negotiated three away games to win the play-offs, the Iron returned a year after relegation. Captain Marc-Anthony Okoye has left and Brad Quinton knows he needs more new faces before they being the season at home to FC Halifax.

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Bromley
(National League: 9th)

After falling at the final hurdle in both their play-off and FA Trophy quests, can Neil Smith’s side cross the finishing line in 2018-19? They will have to do it without Portsmouth-bound Louis Dennis, but the manager has retained most of the players he wanted to keep and has added to it. They start at Fylde.

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Chesterfield
(League Two: 24th)

Martin Allen did his business early. He knew he had to pack his team full of National League know-how and he has done. Their signings are all sensible, while Allen has been able to keep hold of the better performers from their season to forget. They will be fancied.

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Dagenham & Redbridge
(National League: 11th)

Perhaps the biggest period of transition in the club’s history will at least be led by a man who knows the game inside out. Peter Taylor, the former England caretaker manager, must take care of the Daggers with money tight and off-field issues rumbling on. Most of their better players have moved on.

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Dover Athletic
(National League: 8th)

Chris Kinnear has been here before. Another summer, another rebuild, with three of his prize assets moving on. But it holds no fears for him, every time he puts out a team fans can be proud of. The signing of striker Inih Effiong is good business.

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Eastleigh
(National League: 14th)

With major benefactor Stewart Donald having to relinquish control after stepped in at Sunderland, all eyes will be on what happens next at Eastleigh. In new hands off the field but Andy Hessenthaler continues to take the team. They start at home to Solihull Moors.

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Ebbsfleet United
(National League: 6th)

After all-but ruling his side out of play-off contention in March, his players reacted in the perfect way with their late surge. Ultimately, it was a season too soon for the Fleet but if they can up things by ten per cent like their manager wants, consider them promotion contenders. There's more new players to come.

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FC Halifax Town
(National League: 16th)

Jamie Fullarton’s impact was immediate when he arrived at Halifax back in February. Now the Shaymen want to see what he can achieve with his own squad and a full-time club to work with. Town are now professional - but expectations will only increase.

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Gateshead
(National League: 17th)

The Heed will be part-time next season, but their fans don’t see that as a negative. Manager Steve Watson has stayed loyal, and he has vowed to fill the team with local, hungry players determined to to play with pride. Key players have left of course, but the vibe is positive on Tyneside.

Harrogate Town
(National League North: 2nd)

It’s an historic period for Harrogate and Simon Weaver thinks the club are ready for the step up. Adding firepower in the form of Brackley’s Aaron Williams, they won’t be expecting a struggle next season.

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Hartlepool United
(National League: 15th)

After last season’s struggle, a wave of optimism has rippled through Victoria Park.Matthew Bates has the job full-time, and signings so far are a mix of experience and lower-level talented given a golden chance. Top seven will be their target.

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Havant & Waterlooville
(National League South: 1st)

After two back-to-back titles, what next? Well one thing is for sure and that’s loyalty. Chairman Derek Pope could have fired manager Lee Bradbury when they were relegated to the Ryman League two years ago. He didn’t, and the rest is history. Alfie Pavey and Paul Robinson are excellent signings.

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Leyton Orient
(National League: 13th)

Next season needs to be better for Leyton Orient and Justin Edinburgh thinks it will be. Improving things as soon as he replaced Steve Davis. They have kept faith with most of the squad from last season, with some fine-tuning in certain areas. They start at Salford live on BT Sport.

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Maidenhead United
(National League: 12th)

How will the Magpies cope with big-name departures? Sean Marks, Harry Pritchard, Jake Goodman and Sam Barrett have all move on but Alan Devonshire doesn’t do crisis management. He will be thinking the Magpies can go for the play-offs.

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Maidstone United
(National League: 19th)

Loyalty in football has to work both ways. Maidstone are a great example of that. With results terrible last season, the Stones backed Jay Saunders all the way. They stayed up, and he was linked with jobs elsewhere this summer. It was his turn to confirm the commitment, but he will want a better season next time around.

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Salford City
(National League North: 1st)

It was the summer shocker. Joint managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley gone after three promotions in four years for the Ammies. Things soon settled, and Graham Alexander’s entrance showed the ambition. The club who refuse to stand still could be the ones to watch.

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Solihull Moors
(National League: 18th)

After their great escape, Mark Yates was in demand. Champions Macclesfield came calling and Moors fans will hope the mid-summer move won’t disrupt their preparation for the new season. Can Tim Flowers make it as a number one? If anyone can, a former keeper can! Danny Wright is a great signing.

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Sutton United
(National League: 3rd)

Paul Doswell is finished with transfer and will be asking how Sutton United, not full-time remember, can improve on their third place finish. He feels having a smaller squad with more quality will help them take the next step. In comes Dale Bennetts and returning is Dan Wishart and Charlie Clough.

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Wrexham
(National League: 10th)

New manager, new hope. Wrexham fans are still frustrated by how last season unraveled. Sam Ricketts has been patient and refuses to rush deals through, so it's hard to judge so far. But the new boss is saying all the right things.