Test

 This is my 7th season of doing this and each season the preview tends to get a bit more traction so thank you to everybody who kindly reads and shares. I hope this year's version lives up to the same comprehensive detail from previous years. 

I expect that my predictions may vary in comparison to you, the reader, such is the open nature of the league this year. Regardless though as to whether your final thoughts differ or not, the main objective of this preview is to help inform on the twenty four teams in the division. If I've done that, then hopefully you enjoy the read! Please spread the word as foot traffic and sharing is my only form of marketing for this preview. 

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Fighting relegation (19th - 24th)

Braintree Town

(player embargo)

Last season

National League: 23rd

Top Goalscorer: Lewis Walker (10)

Ins

Alfie Matthews (Dover Athletic)

Ange Djadja (Mertsham)

Fin Adams (Brightlingsea Regent)

Louie Johnson (Brentwood Town)

Alex Bolavan (Stanway Rovers)

Anisius Lewis (Maldon & Tiptree)

Alfie Lewis (Aveley)

Courtney Senior (Farnborough)

Jacob Mensah (Dover Athletic)

Jacob Goredema (AFC Sudbury)

Reuben Swann (Portsmouth)

Jamie Bennett (Stanway Rovers)

Outs
John Akinde

Chay Cooper

James Vennings

Lewis Walker

George Langston

Potential Line up

????

????, Mensah, ???, Adams

Thorpe, Swann

Senior, Matthews, Johnson

Lewis

Squad brief: At 

Manager: Despite relegation last season, Steve Pitt remains in the Braintree hotseat amidst a time of transition for the Iron. Pitt's managerial career started at FC Clacton in 2010 before jumping ship to Stanway Rovers a year later. However, he was let go in 2013 before a short spell at Bishops Stortford as Assistant Manager followed. Pitt was tempted back into the manager's chair at step three side Leiston but only lasted 38 days before receiving the sack. From this point, Pitt would not manage again for nearly ten years with spells as Sporting Director at Heybridge Swifts and Director of Football at Chelmsford City and Billericay Town to follow. However, 2022 saw him back in the dugout as Assistant Manager of Braintree Town working with Angelo Harrop. The Iron's promotion to the National League was the catalyst for Pitt's next career move as Harrop was dismissed shortly into the new season with the now 65-year-old taking the reins. With relegation looking likely, Pitt steered Braintree to an unlikely survival in the 2024/25 season. Nevertheless, this respite lasted only a season as the Iron finished 23rd last season with only 36 points to drop back to the National League South. 

MVP: Alfie Matthews

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Anisius Lewis

Overall Thoughts: It 

Prediction: To 

Dover Athletic

Last season

National League: 20th

Top Goalscorer: George Nikaj (15)

Ins

Nazir Bakrin (Tonbridge Angels)

Euan Williams (Gillingham)

Kola Salami (Carshalton Athletic)

John Oyenuga (Farnborough)

Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite (Cheshunt) 

Trent Rendall (Dagenham & Redbridge)

Sonny Fish (Torquay United)

Outs
Kieron Agbebi

Henry Young

Matty Holness

George Nikaj

Ryan Hanson

Kenny Coker

Bivesh Gurung

Luca Cocoracchio

Potential Line up

Walker

Rendall, Jones, Bakrin

Charles-Cook, Jallow, Wilson-Braithwaite, Ezenwanne

Williams

Soares-Junior, Fish

Squad brief: Despite quipping that Dover's rise back to the National League South was a season too early, manager Jake Leberl comfortably kept the club in the division by a seven point margain. After a poor end to the season though, the 49-year-old has tweaked around the edges of his squad with the hope of maintaining the White's step two status for another year. The evergreen goalkeeper Mitch Walker enters his 10th season at the club from two different spells. He will likely patrol a back three consisting spearheaded by the gigantic Jalen Jones. New signings Trent Rendall - formerly of Dagenham & Redbridge - and Nazir Bakrin from Tonbridge Angels will compete with Harry Beadle for a starting spot in the centre of defence. Key man Roman Charles-Cook will likely continue to accelerate up and down the right although the experienced John Oyenuga provides a solid backup option. At left wing back, it may well be that academy graduate Enyinnaya Ezenwanne begins the season with Fuad Sesay's signature uncertain at the time of writing. 

In midfield, the departure of Ryan Hanson has left a gaping hole which Leberl will hope to fill with the signing of Dequaine Wilson-Braithwaite, who comes off of an impressive season in the Isthmian Premier with Cheshunt. Momodou Jallow and George Wilkinson will add competition in this area whilst new signing Euan Williams could well feature slightly further forward. The 23-year-old made 14 appearances for Gillingham in League Two over the past two seasons and will likely be the man entrusted with cutting passes through the lines. However, former Dover Supporters' Player of the Season Luke Baptiste will be hoping for a better season at step two level behind the strikers. Despite hitting 21 goals in all competitions from midfield in the Whites' promotion campaign, he only managed two from forty league appearances last season. 

Speaking of goals, top goalscorer George Nikaj joined promotion hopefuls Dorking Wanderers during the close season leaving Leberl with a fifteen-goal-sized headache. Part of that problem has tried to be solved with the acquisition of Torquay striker Sonny Fish, although the 22-year-old has desperately struggled for goals over the last few years. Wide forward Kola Salami did manage to score nine for Isthmian Premier strugglers Carshalton Athletic last season but it appears that trust is going to be largely maintained in those remaining at the club though with Rolando Onu, Decarrey Sheriff and Ruben Soares-Junior retained. With most of their experience and success coming from step three, the trio will hope to largely improve on their seventeen combined goals between them in the National League South last season. 

Manager: Following a playing and coaching career largely associated with Dover Athletic, Jake Leberl was appointed to manage the club for the first time in December 2023. The 49-year-old's first prominent coaching role came in 2011 with Margate and lasted for two years until taking the Assistant Manager post at Dover under Chris Kinnear. The duo collaborated for five years and brought some of the club's best moments in modern memory with promotion to the National League and three top ten finishes in a row. Ultimately, Kinnear's departure in 2018 also saw Leberl leave with him and it would take another five years for him to return to the club - this time as Mitch Brundle's number two. Nevertheless, Dover were in freefall and when Leberl took the job shortly after the former's sacking, there was little hope of saving the club from relegation to the Isthmian league. Yet, the 2024/25 campaign was an unexpected success, despite financial issues, with Dover finishing 5th and qualifying for the end of season play offs. An unexpected 2-1 victory away to favourites Billericay in the semi-finals was followed by a 2-0 victory over Dartford in the final. Despite Leberl jovially suggesting promotion 'was a nightmare as the club were no way ready for it', the Whites manager led them to a comfortable survival last season. 

MVP: Roman Charles-Cook

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Ruben Soares-Junior

Overall Thoughts: Even though Dover finished 20th last season, the Whites gave as good as they got for most of the season. At Christmas, the club were sitting 12th on 31 points but a poor final quarter of the season which saw six defeats from the final seven has raised concerns with the new season approaching. These worries are heightened by the farewells to key men George Nikaj and Ryan Hanson - both of whom possess genuine quality at this level. With one of the smallest budgets in the league, signings have had to be either untapped potential from the division below or those deemed not quite good enough by other step two sides. Jake Leberl has pulled a rabbit from a hat a few times in recent seasons but it would be fair to say that Dover's squad currently looks weaker overall than it did this time last year. In particular, it is very difficult to say where the goals required to stay in the division are going to come from at present. And with four sides promoting that look significantly stronger than those who relegated, it is hard to make a case for last season's fifth bottom side to finish above the line on this occasion. 

Prediction: The Whites will be plucky and will likely cause some upsets, especially during the first half of the season when they are fresh. But realistically, this is a step three squad. With the investment Leberl has to work with and the inevitable injuries that will mount up as the season progresses, unfortunately it is hard to see how Dover will keep pace with the crowd during this coming campaign. 

Horsham FC

Last season

National League South: 15th

Top Goalscorer: James Hammond (12)

Ins

Ashley Nadesan (Sutton United)

Jamie Yila (Maidstone United)

Sam Howes (Dagenham & Redbridge)

Archy Taylor (Eastbourne Borough)

Niall McManus (Dorking Wanderers)

Ronan Silva (Hampton & Richmond Borough)

Outs
Isaac Philpot

Rhys Murphy

Shamir Fenelon 

Lewis Carey

Potential Line up

Howes

Taylor, Brivio, Strange, Sparks

Barker, Hammond, 

Yila, Hester-Cook, Meekums

Nadesan

Squad brief: With a thirteen game unbeaten run during the first half of last season, Horsham's debut season in the National League South looked like a dream one before a more tempered last few months saw a respectable 15th place finish. Esteemed manager Dom di Paola - now in his 11th year in charge - has tweaked a squad he wholeheartedly trusts around the edges. Goalkeeper of three years Lewis Carey has departed for recently relegated Eastbourne Borough meaning that ex Wealdstone and Dagenham & Redbridge shot stopper Sam Howes returns to Horsham after last playing for the club during the 2021/22 season. The 28-year-old keeper will likely play in front of a back four with trusted centre-halves Jack Strange and Jack Brivio, a creative midfielder by trade, eyed up to do a dependable job at centre back since Isaac Philpot has departed. Longest serving player Harvey Sparks is a sure thing to continue at left back with young Freddie Hammond in reserve whilst new signing Archy Taylor will likely take the right back slot. 

The Hornets' usual 4-2-3-1 formation is likely to continue with the reliable duo of Danny Barker and penalty king James Hammond patrolling the middle of the pitch. New signing Niall McManus, who has joined from Dorking Wanderers after wishing to go fully part-time, will be a strong alternative for the central area. Such is the fluidity of Horsham that Di Paola has a variety of players who can switch around the midfield. Charlie Hester-Cook could drop back into a two if needed but largely flourishes further forward connecting with the striker. Ronan Silva, a summer acquisition from Hampton & Richmond, can also play anywhere around the midfield - even as a striker if the situation calls. 

Club stalwarts Lee Harding and Lucas Rodrigues will be looking to secure positions in the wide roles but will face stiff competition from Reece Meekums, who was the club's player of the season in the promotion campaign of 2024/25. Di Paola has also moved to bring in wide man Jamie Yila. The 25-year-old was prolific for Chatham in the Isthmian Premier two seasons ago and joins from Maidstone after an injury hit campaign. With goals hard to come by last season, the Generals have recruited Ashley Nadesan following a tough couple of seasons in front of goal for Sutton United in the National League. The dependable and versatile Greg Luer remains too as the likely first alternative to Nadesan and also as an option out wide.  

Manager: It has been a decade of delight for Horsham manager Dominic di Paola. Taking over as a 34-year-old in 2015, Horsham had just been relegated to step five - the Southern Combination Football League. Di Paola guided the club back to the Isthmian League Division One South East at the first time of asking and followed this up with survival the following season. Still at a temporary home waiting for the construction of their new ground, the Hornets gained a second promotion under Di Paola's stewardship by finishing as runners up in 2018/19 and triumphing in the subsequent play offs. Promotion to the Isthmian Premier League, saw solid finishes for numerous seasons in a row but the main headlines were caused by the club's exploits in the FA Cup which saw Horsham reach the First Round proper three times in four seasons. An appearance in the 2nd round proper acted as a catalyst for the team to finish 5th in the 2023/24 season and reach the play offs. Although promotion was not gained on that occasion, the following 2024/25 campaign saw Horsham gain promotion to the National League South for the first time in their history following an unbelievable final day where Billericay Town were overtaken on goal difference after Di Paola's side won 5-1 over Hashtag United. The club's debut at step two was a resounding success with the part-timers on the verge of the play off positions for much of the season before settling for a comfortable mid-table finish. 

MVP: Reece Meekums

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Ashley Nadesan

Overall Thoughts: After a superb rise up the divisions, last season proved the first time in a fair while that Horsham were not involved in the shake up on the final day. Nevertheless, this season of stability still saw the side register victories over Dorking, Ebbsfleet, Hemel, Maidstone, Torquay and Dagenham & Redbridge, showing that the Generals could mix it with the best on their day. Testament to this was Horsham securing the 6th best defensive record in the division - a follow up from their promotion campaign where Di Paola's side possessed the best defensive record in the Isthmian League. As the squad largely contains the same core, more of the same resoluteness will be required, especially since the club do not contain the funds to go out and strengthen heavily. The Generals will have to hope they do not succumb to mass injuries as last season did prove tricky at times during the busy winter months when the squad was stretched. Had it not been for that thirteen game unbeaten run early on with a fresher squad, Horsham may well have been looking over their shoulder. One concern has to be in the goal-scoring department with a large burden being placed on Ashley Nadesan - a player who has struggled for goals in recent years at various levels. Di Paola himself will be a manager in demand and recent comments made about being in football for the big moments and not merely to tread water has made me wonder if Di Paola could depart Horsham if he deduces that he cannot take them any further. 

Prediction: It is incredibly tricky to pick the teams that might struggle this season and Horsham's tight knit, resolute nature and easy on the eye style of football makes this a tough prediction. A good start in the first third of the season again will be imperative if the Generals want to avoid a fight for survival in this hotly contested division. 

Salisbury FC

Last season

National League South: 17th 

Top Goalscorer: Noah Coppin (14)

Ins

Caine Bradbury (Chippenham Town)

Ollie Morgan (AFC Bournemouth)

Jaiden Bartolo (AFC Totton)

Harry Thomas (Hampton & Richmond)

Luke Russe (Bath City)

Richard McIntyre (Oxford United)

Robbie Gallagher (Basingstoke Town)

Will Henry (Chippenham Town)

Zak Beard (Chippenham Town)

Jordan Alonge (Inverness Caledonian Thistle)

Yacou Troare (Enfield Town)

Outs
Camron Gbadebo

Noah Coppin

George Penn

Harry Lee

Tommy Willard

Ollie Bray

Peter Ojemen

Matt Briggs

Tom Davies

Balraj Landa

Tom Cove

Josh Keeya

Will Buse

Potential Line up

Henry

Morgan, Revan, Sommerton, Mcintyre

Bradbury, Russe

Hedges, Alonge, Grubb

Odokonyero

Squad brief: After a disastrous start that saw them fail to win in their opening ten games, Salisbury managed to eventually survive comfortably - a strong home record acting as the foundation to their 17th place finish. Manager Brian Dutton came under enormous pressure in 2025 and will have to get off to a good start this time around to stop the critics from circling. With star goalkeeper Will Buse leaving for Ebbsfleet, Dutton has been quick to bring in two goalkeepers from Chippenham Town - number one Will Henry and young backup Zak Beard. With Camron Gbadebo departing, the Whites were delighted to recently see centre back Dom Revan resign and he will likely be partnered by either Josh Sommerton or new signing Harry Thomas, who has joined from Hampton & Richmond. At full back, Dutton has swooped permanently for two young loanees who impressed at the club last season in Ollie Morgan and Richard Mcintyre. 

In midfield, Dutton has once again chosen to bring in some of the more adept players from the sides who were relegated last season. Holding midfielder Luke Russe joins from Bath City whilst the creative Caine Bradbury has signed from Chippenham Town. With the energetic Josh Keeya's departure, Dutton has also brought in Yacou Troare, who featured at Enfield Town recently, after a successful trial period. Further forward, it is likely that star man Josh Hedges will feature either behind the striker or off to the right. Hedges resigned for the club last August after a handful of games following his mutual agreement to depart Chelmsford after only three games. Elsewhere, the technical Evander Grubb and speedster Mo Dabre will be hoping to cement spots on the flanks whilst new signing Jordan Alonge could well take a spot in attacking midfield after scoring eight times for Inverness Caledonian Thistle last season. 

With goals hard to come by last season, the Whites will hope that Nathan Odokonyero can continue the form that saw him strike five times in the final eight games. As an alternative, promising 20-year-old Jaiden Bartolo has also been acquired. Although he has only scored four times across the past two seasons for Weymouth, Slough, Chesham and Totton, the youngster has long been touted for a breakthrough. Elsewhere, Dutton has also taken a punt on 21-year-old forward Robbie Gallagher from step three Southern Premier League side Basingstoke Town.

Manager: After helping Salisbury to narrow survival last season, Brian Dutton gets the opportunity to consolidate the Whites' place in the National League South. Following a relatively nomadic playing career in the lower leagues, Dutton's coaching career begun at Bristol Rovers in 2017 largely focusing on set pieces. In 2019, he followed fellow former Bristol Rovers men Daryll Clarke and Marcus Stewart to Walsall to become Assistant Manager. It would be two years before Dutton would take the hotseat as Clarke would leave to take charge of Port Vale. However, the 40-year-old would only last 20 games, winning just three of them with an inexperienced squad. It was October 2022 when Dutton was appointed Salisbury manager and consolidated with a mid table position in the Southern Premier League. Nevertheless, his first full season in charge was a wild success with Salisbury finishing in a credible 3rd place and winning the play off final against much fancied AFC Totton to promote to the National League South - the first time the Whites had found themselves at step two level since their reformation. The 2024/25 season was to be difficult as expected; however, Dutton's side never once fell into the relegation zone all season despite a dicey ending that saw only two wins from the final fourteen matches. The following season did not begin much better with Dutton's job seriously at risk but the Whites' recovered to finish comfortably in lower mid-table. 

MVP: Josh Hedges

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Nathan Odokonyero 

Overall Thoughts: Following the investment of Kuwaiti businessman Ali Alhamad last summer, hopes were high that Salisbury may be able to go full time and turn into step two promotion contenders. That vision has been tempered with Salisbury living within their means and remaining a part time outfit. Transfers indicate this more than ever with some of the club's main assets being let go this pre-season in Will Buse, Josh Keeya, Noah Coppin and Camron Gbadebo. Replacements have step two experience but few, if any, are stand out players who can operate in the higher reaches in this league. The Whites will be leaning heavily on Josh Hedges to show the form that initially earnt him the move to Chelmsford whilst after only scoring fifty goals in all of last season, hopes will be that Nathan Odokonyero can realise his vast potential after a prolific end to the 2025/26 campaign. Inevitably, scrutiny will fall upon the manager if Salisbury get off to another slow start. Yet with more and more sides looking upwards in their ambitions, Salisbury's apparent contentedness to consolidate could be what costs them if they are not careful. 

Prediction: It is hard to see anything other than a tough campaign for the Whites. The squad is no stronger than last season's, which scraped to 53 points, and transformative investment does not seem to be forthcoming. Ultimately, it looks as if a relegation battle is on the cards and it will likely be close which side of the line Dutton's men fall on. 

Slough Town

Last season

National League South: 16th

Top Goalscorer: Wiktor Makowski (13)

Ins

Keenan Quansah (Hereford United)

Louis Walsh (Thame United)

Kyle Brooks (Berkhamstead)

George Vorster (Sutton United)

Josh Brooking (Aldershot Town)

Josh McNamara (Eastleigh)

Godlove Oppong (Leighton Town)

Joe Morrison (Gosport Borough)

Latrell Humphrey-Ewers (Oxford City)

Arthur Gregory (Wycombe Wanderers - loan)

Outs
Nnaemeka Anyanwu

Tyrique Clarke

Carl Dennison

Tyrese Dyce

Kiki Oshilaja

Reiss Greenidge 

Harvey Walker

Erion Zabeli

Dylan Griffen - loan

Potential Line up

McNamara

Gidaree, Quansah, Brooking, Gregory

Drakes-Thomas, LHE,

Myers,  Goddard

Holness, Shakpoke

Squad brief: Regulars at punching above their weight in the National League South, Slough Town continues to be a conveyor belt for lower league talent to use as a stepping stone into the full-time professional game. However with highly-rated manager Scott Davies the latest to make that jump, it is over to former Hampton & Richmond manager Alan Julian to try to keep this process going. With goalkeeper Adam Desbois' departing towards the back end of last season, Josh McNamara has joined from Eastleigh and will likely be first choice behind an almost entirely new defence. Manager Julian will hope that new signings Josh Brooking, Joe Morrison and Keenan Quansah (brother of Jarrell) will prevent anywhere near the eighty seven goals that were conceded last season. The agile Tarik Gidaree or versatile Dan Roth will likely slot into the right side in a four or five depending on what formation Julian plays whilst young Arthur Gregory looks set to make the left flank his own after joining on loan for the whole campaign. 

The central midfield area was one of Slough's real strengths last season but it is already looking a little less secure following the departure of the dynamic Tyrique Clarke and the continued absence of club captain Henry Ochieng following an ACL injury. However, Julian will be delighted to have retained the services of Jaiden Drakes-Thomas after a nine goal debut season in the National League South from midfield. Young prospect Brian Nelson will hope to challenge more frequently for a starting spot this season as will new signing Kyle Brooks, who has made the jump from Berkhamsted in the Southern League Premier Division South. However, the most likely to partner Drakes-Thomas is Latrell Humphrey-Ewers - a regular at step two level - fresh from a season in the National League North with Oxford City. 

Further forward, it would not be a shock to see Slough alternating between two strikers or a front three. Veteran Johnny Goddard will certainly command a place either wide left or centrally as the chief creator. Expect Jared Myers to feature heavily as well. The 22-year-old had earned the club's Young Player of the Year award recently and will hope to build on his five goals, which largely came from the right, last season. To add competition, Julian has signed a pair of prolific wide forwards from step four in young George Vorster from Sutton United and Thame United's Louis Walsh. Through the middle, promising young striker Ruben Shakpoke could well be the next to be head-hunted by a club higher up the pyramid if he pushes on from the seven goals in twenty four appearances he managed last season. Luke Holness and another step four punt in Godlove Oppong will be the alternate striker options for Julian going into the season. 

Manager: With a playing career of over 20 years, Alan Julian is synonymous with non-league football. Starting out with Brentford in 2002, it was at Stevenage that Julian made his name with 141 appearances over three years at the club. Fine performances across that spell saw him reunite with his former manager Mark Stimson at Gillingham in 2008. It was here that Julian saw himself as a regular in League One and Two before dropping back down to the National League across several spells with Newport, Dartford and Sutton. A three season spell with Bromley followed before the twilight of his career saw him signed as Billericay's number one goalkeeper before joining Hampton & Richmond in 2020. It was here that Julian called time on his playing career in 2024, aged 41, after four years at the club. Nevertheless, just two months after announcing his plans to stop playing, Julian was appointed as manager of the club following the board's decision to dispense with Mel Gwinnett after leading the side to a 9th place finish. Despite a low budget, Borough were on the fringes of the play off positions around the half-way mark but faded during the run in to eventually finish in 19th position. This dip in form continued as Julian was dismissed in December 2025. However, Scott Davies departure to National League Aldershot Town has opened the door for Julian to once again take the reins of a step two club ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. 

MVP: Jaiden Drakes-Thomas

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Ruben Shakpoke

Overall Thoughts: Rinse and repeat, Slough have lost some very good players this summer. Historically, the Rebels have gone out and found the latest gems that have thrived at step two level to replace them but there is a sense of the unknown this summer with Alan Julian now in charge instead of Scott Davies. The blueprint largely appears to be the same - a smattering of step two experience combined with step three and four players with strong numbers behind them last season. But is the midas touch still there from the management side? Historically, Slough have shown real bouncebackability from heavy defeats and Alan Julian will have to show that he can inspire confidence in the Rebels squad during the tough moments, especially off the back of his own three month winless run that saw him sacked from Hampton & Richmond last season. On the plus side, there is some real talent still at Arbour Park and it will not be long before there are suitors for Ruben Shakpoke and Jaiden Drakes-Thomas. However, it is hard to see Slough being anything other than involved in a relegation battle for the campaign ahead. 

Prediction: Slough's survival in the National League South has been hard fought year-on-year and it feels as if Scott Davies really hit the heights of what could be achieved with their current model. Julian's Slough will undoubtedly work hard but may perhaps just lack that license to express without fear that often got the Rebels over the line. A relegation may await this season. 

Walton and Hersham FC

Last season

Southern League Premier Division South: 1st

Top Goalscorer: David Rogalski (27)

Ins

Tommy Reid (Charlton U21)

Sam German (Bromley)

Marcus Sablier (Tonbridge Angels)

Seydil Toure (Viagem Usti)

Hassan Ibrahiym (Cray Valley Paper Mills)

Laurence Ernest (Carshalton Athletic)

Matas Skarna (Canvey Island)

Ne-Jai Tucker (Southport)

Toby Bower (Charlton U21)

Junior Dixon (Boreham Wood)

Outs
Jos Barker

Johl Powell

Mason Obeng

Jack Wood

Zach Alfalahi

Francis Amartey

Danylo Hubynets

Elliott Bolton

Vonnte Williams

Ethan Light

Eoin Bolger

Aaron Williams Fernandez

Zidane Yousuf

Ben Acey

Stefan Parkes

Potential Line up

Reid

Toure, Ernest, German

Skarna, Defise, Jones, Bower

Tucker, Rogalski, Sablier

Squad brief: It is barely a surprise that Walton and Hersham have finally made it to the National League South, following a meteoric rise of four promotions in just six seasons. However, the manner in which their more recent promotion was achieved was perhaps not in the script with Billy Rowley jumping ship to Yeovil after taking 41 points from a possible 48 at the start of the campaign. Interim boss Jakub Pietrzak then steered the club comfortably to the title but a terrible late run of four defeats from the final five games possibly caused him to lose out on the permanent role, which eventually went to Kevin James. The new manager has a serious rebuilding job to do with a large contingent of the promotion winning side leaving for pastures new. Charlton U21 goalkeeper Tommy Reid, known to James from his coaching stint there, was the first through the door this summer. With the loss of Eoin Bolger, Ethan Light and Stefan Parkes from the back line, new recruits are a must and James first swooped for towering centre back Sam German after an impressive spell at Folkestone, on loan from Bromley. Laurence Ernest has also been brought in from Carshalton whilst Seydil Toure is another known to James from his time in the Charlton youth set up. 

Fluidity is key to the club's system with the Swans' able to operate with full backs or wing backs. Thabo Kuaho was a bundle of energy down the left at times and he will come under competition from another Charlton youth product in Toby Bower, who featured regularly on loan at Farnborough last season. Down the right, Lucas Defise often filled in despite his ability further forward in midfield whilst left footer Matias Skarna may cut in from the right or be deployed higher up on the left. Into midfield, the vastly experienced Joey Jones, formerly of Working and Eastleigh, often sits just in front of the back four. Ex Aston Villa and Middlesbrough professional Joe Bennett, now aged 36, can also perform that role or can fill in down the left where he has played for the bulk of his career. 29-year-old Anis Nuur also featured regularly for the Swans last season in the middle and provides a reliable option. 

Most of the side's forward options have moved on from last season meaning that James has to build a new unit capable of supplying goal machine Dawid Rogalski. The 29-year-old struck twenty-four times as Walton romped to the title and was often the focal point of their attacks. Former Tonbridge Angels attacking midfielder Marcus Sablier is one who will look to support Rogalski. After coming to prominence through Bromley's youth system, Sablier's career has not hit the heights yet that many expected. On his day, the 23-year-old is excellent at finding space and creating from between the lines. Electric winger Ne Jai Tucker is another one who showed real potential at youth level but has struggled to translate that into the senior game, after an unsuccessful spell at Southport last season. The Swans have also brought in striker Junior Dixon from Boreham Wood following an impressive loan spell at Chatham during the final few months of the season. 

Manager: Following the club's decision not to give interim manager Jakub Pietrzak the full time position, Kevin James was named the new Swans' manager on a three year contract. The 46-year-old has not taken the traditional route to full time men's management after a playing career that saw him feature most notably at Gillingham in the early noughties and Dulwich Hamlet, where he made over 200 appearances for the non-league side. Upon retirement, James moved into a part time coaching role at Cray Valley Paper Mills whilst also managing the England six-a-side team for three years. In 2023, the former midfielder became assistant coach at Charlton FC's academy taking roles with both the U18s and U21s. Helping to guide the Addicks U18s to Professional Development League National Champions, his efforts caught the attention of Walton & Hersham, who subsequently made him their new manager for their first ever season in step two. 

MVP: David Rogalski

Top Goalscorer Prediction: David Rogalski

Overall Thoughts: Nine months ago, Walton and Hersham would have been an exciting addition to the National League South. However, Billy Rowley's departure began a chain of events that left the club's playing roster utterly decimated this summer. Star offensive players Mason Obeng and Johl Powell have both followed their former manager to Yeovil Town as has goalkeeper Jos Barker. Elsewhere, star winger Jack Wood has joined Dorking whilst excellent young defenders Eoin Bolger, Stefan Parkes and Ethan Light have all moved on too. Such situations can be overcome in this division if recruitment aims to take the club to the next level. Truthfully though, the Swans look as if they have signed for another Southern Premier League campaign as opposed to moving up a division. Kevin James has put his trust in some players he knows from Charlton U21s, with Toby Bower looking the standout, yet the likes of Marcus Sablier, Ne Jai Tucker and Junior Dixon have not previously made much of a mark at this level. There are some positives with Matias Skarna looking an entertaining option out wide and Sam German a step two defender in waiting. However, it is going to be a big job for the experienced heads of Joey Jones, Joe Bennett and Dawid Rogalski to pull Walton and Hersham away from the bottom four this season. The Swans are going to have to be active in the market throughout the season to improve this squad if they want to have a chance of survival. 

Prediction: With a title winning squad that has been ripped apart and a plethora of replacements that lack pedigree at step two level, it is going to be a sizeable challenge for Kevin James to keep Walton and Hersham up this season. It looks likely that this season could well be a bump in the road for the Swans' upward trajectory. 

Mid-table Security (11th - 18th)

AFC Totton

Last season

National League South: 12th

Top Goalscorer: Tony Lee (15)

Ins

Reece Fleet (Chippenham Town)

Sol Wanjau-Smith (Chippenham Town)

Tyler Cordner (York City)

Reuben Livesey-Austin (AFC Portchester)

Josh Sims (Yeovil Town)

Charlie Betts (Swindon Town)

Ibby Olateju (Cheltenham Town)

Outs
Jaiden Bartolo

Malachi Linton

Ryan Jackson

Dan O'Connor

Potential Line up

Gosney

Rose, Hallett, Cordner, Livesey-Austin

Ward, Fleet

Sims, Tanner, Wanjau-Smith

Lee

Squad brief: What a wildly entertaining first season in the National League South it was for AFC Totton. An outside push for the play offs looked on at one point but ultimately the side were not quite consistent enough for that and settled for a top half finish. Esteemed manager Jimmy Ball left with a handful of games remaining with striker Scott Rendell taking over. The 39-year-old was soon granted the permanent job and a chance to put his stamp on the side over the summer. Experienced goalkeeper Ryan Gosney will be between the sticks for his 3rd successive season and he will likely be behind the physically imposing centre back pairing of Luke Hallett and Tyler Cordner. Numerous options are available at right back with Declan Rose a regular in the position last season. However, he will come under pressure from new signing Charlie Betts, formerly of Swindon, who impressed whilst on loan at Weymouth last season and Luke Bennett, who can play in midfield or at full back. Left back looks to be a shoe in for new signing Reuben Livesey-Austin, who has regularly impressed in the lower leagues with Havant & Waterlooville and AFC Portchester. 

In the engine room, Rendell has signed former Oxford City captain Reece Fleet. The veteran 34-year-old has plied his trade for many years in the National League North and South, even spending a season in the division above after helping to lead the club to an unlikely promotion back in 2023. His partner could well be Christie Ward - an energetic box-to-box midfielder with an eye for goal and almost one hundred appearances at step two level at the mere age of just twenty-two. Veteran Mike Carter is an option to step in if required whilst another with vast experience in Craig Tanner may slot in slightly higher with a license to create. 

With the Stags' front three, former Southampton and Yeovil man Josh Sims looks likely to secure a spot on the right. It has been ten years since the 29-year-old broke through into the Southampton first team and spells since at other clubs have been fleeting. Sims will face competition from another who broke through at a young age in Vaughn Covil. The 22-year-old joined Totton midway through last season and is best known for numerous appearances for Hull City in the Championship. On the other flank, 20-year-old Ralph Vigrass may well produce that breakout season he has been threatening at this level for a year or two now. Alternatively, Rendell may turn to new signing Sol Wanjau-Smith who had a spell at Chippenham Town last season. Up front, 19-year-old new recruit Ibby Olateju may get some minutes but the goal burden will largely fall upon Tony Lee, who struck an impressive fifteen goals during Totton's maiden National League South campaign. 

Manager: Up with some of the most nomadic careers in non-league, Scott Rendell is a name well known by most non-league supporters. Prolific in the National League nearly twenty years ago for Cambridge United saw Rendell have stints for Torquay United and Wycombe Wanderers in League Two where he continued to notch double figures each season. Further spells at Luton, Woking and Aldershot were to follow with the striker a regular scoring at step one of the National League. With his career beginning to wind down, a move to AFC Totton in 2022 saw Rendell smash 28 league goals in the Southern Premier Division One South and then a further 24 the following year in the league above. After helping the Stags to promotion to the National League South in 2025, the 39-year-old continued to feature regularly until March when he was made interim manager of AFC Totton following Jimmy Ball's departure. A quietly impressive stint in the charge saw Rendell land the manager's job permanently going into the 2026/27 season. The well-traveled goal-getter laced up his boots one more time on the final day of last season before ending a twenty year plus playing career to focus on the task ahead. 

MVP: Christie Ward

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Tony Lee

Overall Thoughts: Twenty victories and twenty defeats is a good indicator as to how AFC Totton performed in their debut National League South campaign. The side were uncompromisingly brave with how they set out to approach matches, playing fearless and open football that yielded rewards but which sometimes saw them caught short too. After the notoriety of signing big names over recent seasons such as Charlie Austin and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, the Stags look to have changed their approach a bit, instead looking to bring in experience and youth that have played a large number of games in the lower leagues. New manager Scott Rendell has largely kept the club's best performers from their recent campaign that saw them finish with 66 points. Thirteen of them points came during the former striker's eight game interim period although it is still to be seen whether this form will translate to the new campaign. With second seasons notoriously harder in football, it may be that Totton's weaknesses are exploited a little more this year. However, a good core squad and sensible use of the loan market like previously should see the Stags comfortably away from any danger. 

Prediction: AFC Totton were the pick of the promoted teams last season. Their squad still resembles a wealth of step two experience and has been added to sensibly around the edges. Tony Lee aside though, goals look a little bare and there will be a huge responsibility for the likes of Christie Ward and Sol Wanjau-Smith to contribute meaningfully. It may just be that twenty wins again this season is a little too far for this Stags side and therefore a slight drop in position could occur. 

Chesham United

Last season

National League South: 11th

Top Goalscorer: Jayden Bennetts & Mitchell Weiss (10)

Ins

Craig Fasanmade (Hampton & Richmond)

Hisham Kasimu (Gosport Borough)

Harry Hoath (Hanwell Town)

Joseph Adewunmi (Dulwich Hamlet)

Lordon Akolbire (Cheshunt)

Outs
Zak Joseph

Josh Addae

Potential Line up

Goode

Stevens, Young, Adebiyi

Roberts, Rasulo, Lench, Lafleur

Bennetts

Weiss, Fasanmade

Squad brief: After a solid debut year in the National League South, Chesham United took up the role of unlikely play off contenders last season. A near miss should not dampen the accolades that befall upon James Duncan and Michael Murray's team. Unsurprisingly, the duo have made few changes to the squad that served them so well. Players and Supporters Player of the Season Ben Goode remains in goal behind a back three consisting of club captain Callum Adebiyi, the impressive Alfie Young and former Barnet man Connor Stevens. Veteran 36-year-old Steve Brown will be ready to step into the defence at a moment's notice as will new signings Harry Hoath and Joseph Adewunmi - both signing from step three clubs. After an excellent debut season for the Generals, long throw specialist Josh Addae departed meaning Connor Roberts will compete for the right wing back mantle alongside dynamic new signing Lordon Akolbire, with Alex Lafleur continuing to provide the energy down the left flank. 

The midfield was one of Chesham's real strengths last season and it is no surprise that very little tampering has occurred there. Generals Player of the Season Giorgio Rasulo quality and creativity from the central area should command him a starting spot. Alex Babos and Matt Lench will be hoping to partner him, or perhaps former Maidenhead man Ryan Upward - returning after seventeen months from an ACL injury - will secure a regular berth once fully fit. The likes of Alfie Williams and Jayden Bennetts, fresh a ten goal season, will be aiming for a spot at the tip of the midfield or slightly wider if Duncan and Murray choose to implement a front three. 

Chesham's hard working nature tends to ensure that the goals are shared out across the team. Nevertheless, a double-digit campaign for Mitchell Weiss last time out will ensure him a starting spot up front this season. The nomadic Craig Fasanmade has since joined after leaving Hampton & Richmond and it is likely he will be employed either left of a front three or as part of a front two. Another striker joining who has done the rounds is Hisham Kasimu. The 28-year-old struck nine in eighteen for step three Gosport during the second half of last season to secure a move back to step two after previous stints at Totton, Enfield and Farnborough amongst others. Elsewhere, seven goal Karl Oliyide offers a reliable rotation option throughout a long campaign. 

Manager: Double delight down at The Meadow as James Duncan and Michael Murray are set to embark on their 8th season in charge together at Chesham United. The duo originally joined from Potters Bar Town, who they had led into the Bostik Premier League, before departing in 2018. In just their second season in charge, Duncan and Murray had Chesham one point off top spot before the season was curtailed for COVID and only leaders Truro were promoted. The following campaign saw more disruptions before 2021/22 saw further heartbreak with the Generals missing out on the play off positions by a single point. Just twelve months later, Duncan and Murray found themselves on the right side of the play off line but a semi final defeat to Bracknell Town put paid to their hopes for another year. 2023/24 was to be the season to remember however as Chesham stormed to the Southern Premier title on a lofty 90 points. In what could have been a tough first season in the National League South, Duncan and Murray secured a very respectable 59 points and a 13th place finish. This was bettered by an outstanding 72 points, which saw the Generals finish only five points off the play off positions last season. 

MVP: Giorgio Rasulo

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Mitchell Weiss

Overall Thoughts: What an outstanding campaign 2025/26 was for Chesham United. Twelve home victories proved a bedrock for the Generals success but the real breakthrough was that the team possessed the 5th best away form in the division - a real signal that Duncan and Murray's side could go toe to toe with most in the league. The pressing question of course will be if a part-time side like Chesham can replicate this again. Last summer's recruitment was full of proven step two operators whilst this summer has been more about polishing the edges of the squad with proven grafters such as Craig Fasanmade adding more options to a strong starting eleven. Impressively despite many players excelling last season, the only notable departure was Josh Addae. The resolute Callum Adebiyi and Alfie Young have been retained as have strong offensive players in Giorgio Rasulo, Jayden Bennetts and Mitchell Weiss. The question always has to be whether other clubs will be a little wiser to the Generals this coming season though. With the depth of the division growing in strength, it would not be a surprise to see Chesham drop slightly in terms of finishing position but there should be little fear of a relegation fight for Duncan and Murray's battle hardened troops. 

Prediction: You could throw a blanket over 10th to 20th for this coming season, such are the amount of evenly matched sides in the division. Chesham are one of these teams, although with credit in the bank from their previous performances and a largely unchanged squad it is hard to see anything other than a solid, stable finish with a few highlights along the way. 

Farnborough

Last season

National League South: 19th 

Top Goalscorer: Rakish Bingham (15)

Ins

Sam Barratt (Maidenhead United)

Duncan Idehan (St Ives Town)

Sam Okoye (Dartford)

Rashawn Scott (Dagenham & Redbridge)

Ryan Jackson (AFC Totton)

Tom Lapslie (Chelmsford City)

Josh Keeya (Salisbury)

Max Ehmer (Ebbsfleet United)

Kasim Aidoo (Chatham Town)

Tyler Frost (Aldershot Town)

Alex Whittle (Yeovil Town)

Michael Reindorf (Cardiff City)

Josh Parker (Oxford City)

Lucas Thomas (Luton Town - loan)

Michael Fernandes (Gosport Borough)

Alex Walder (Aldershot Town)

Outs
Aaron Kuhl

Jack Turner

Rakish Bingham

Wes Fonguck

Courtney Senior

Hakeem Sandah 

John Oyenuga 

Jordan Tunnicliffe 

Cass Fried-Jones

Michael Klass

Micah Anthony

Nico Lawrence 

Glenn Gabriel

Louie Holzman

Potential Line up

Thomas

Okoye, Ehmer, Robinson, Whittle

Lapslie, Keeya, 

Barratt, Frost, Scott

Bloomfield

Squad brief: After numerous seasons of being on the verge of a play off position, last season was a near disaster with Farnborough flirting with relegation before pulling clear of the drop zone late on. Unsurprisingly, manager Spencer Day has put together an almost entirely new squad in the aftermath, with just three players remaining. After five years at the club, experienced goalkeeper Jack Turner departed after requesting to leave in January. Two young shot-stoppers have been sourced with Lucas Thomas, likely to be the number one, and joining on loan from Luton Town alongside Aldershot youth goalkeeper Alex Walder. The 18-year-old will likely be playing behind a back four. Club captain Ollie Robinson will have to work hard to maintain his spot at centre back with the experienced former Gillingham man Max Ehmer joining from Ebbsfleet and Duncan Idehen stepping up from a successful season with St Ives at step three level. Flanking the chosen two will be a tough choice for Day with four viable options for the full back roles. Dartford Player of the Season Sam Okoye will likely get the nod at right back with vastly experienced former Football League defender Ryan Jackson waiting in the wings. At left back, ex York and Yeovil man Alex Whittle could well start although he will come under pressure from young Kasim Aidoo, who had a good season with Isthmian Premier play off runners up Chatham Town. 

Further ahead, Renny Smith is the only remaining midfielder from last season and he will face a battle to take a regular starting spot with three new faces having arrived. 22-year-old Josh Keeya will bring energy and two seasons of National League South experience with him whilst 30-year-old Tom Lapslie brings a wealth of knowhow with him from his many years at Colchester and Torquay United. Former Crawley and Aldershot man Tyler Frost brings versatility to the team and could equally line up out wide as well as in the middle of the park. 

In the front line, Day looks to have recruited a mixture of experience and prospects. Wide man Sam Barratt needs little introduction after his many years of acquiring assists and goals by cutting inside for Maidenhead and letting loose with his wand of a left foot. On the opposite flank, Rashawn Scott may well get the nod after his move from Dagenham & Redbridge. The 23-year-old has exciting raw ability and could be a gem if he can add end product to his game. In attack, the Yellows have a range of powerful options with Mason Bloomfield hoping to retain his position after scoring twelve times last season. Nevertheless, Day may instead turn to veteran Josh Parker, who has signed from Oxford City, or perhaps a wildcard in ex Cardiff man Michael Reindorf, who has not yet translated his promise into goals. 

Manager: Having been Farnborough manager for nearly sixteen years now, Spencer Day has carved out an intriguing career for himself. A controversial past saw him sign a £200,000 affidavit to save Aldershot FC before being found to have borrowed the money and unable to pay it back. Subsequently, Day, then known as Spencer Trethewy, was kicked out of the club and Aldershot went out of business not too long after in 1992. However, the property developer purchased Chertsey Town in 2007 and went on to be their manager for the next four seasons before leaving for Farnborough in 2011. Initially, Day had to put a substantial amount of his own money in to rescue the club from administration. Nevertheless, this was only a temporary solution as points deductions followed and the club were eventually relegated to step three and then to step four the season after. However, Day stuck with the club during their difficulties and was rewarded with an instant promotion back to the Southern Premier League. A period of consolidation followed before Farnborough were promoted back to the National League South in 2021 after navigating the play offs against Met Police FC and Hayes & Yeading. Since that promotion the Yellows have regularly consolidated in mid-table and Day will hope that this continues going into the new season. 

MVP: Tyler Frost

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Mason Bloomfield

Overall Thoughts: Without sizeable investment, it looks to be another season of Farnborough wheeling and dealing in a bid to construct a side that can compete and push into the upper reaches of the division. If previous campaigns tell the story, then the Yellows will move those on by mid-season who don't hit the ground running and look to bring in value replacements to see the season out. This is one of the reasons why it is hard to see Farnborough, in this current guise, really ever pushing on. However, the club do well to live within their means and have produced some entertaining sides at times in recent years. This season's amalgamation look one of the more capable bunches to have been assembled for a while. Last season saw an overreliance on some of the ex Ebbsfleet National League South winners who joined and were perhaps not quite in their pomp any longer. Yet on paper there is seemingly a better balance running throughout the squad this year. 93 goals conceded was by far the worst in the division last season but the newly assembled back line and those protecting in midfield look more adept to protecting young Lucas Thomas in goal. Tom Lapslie, Max Ehmer, Tyler Frost and Sam Barratt amongst others should add real knowhow whilst several of Sam Okoye, Kasim Aidoo, Rashawn Scott and Michael Reindorf could well excel and use Farnborough as a stepping stone in their career.  

Prediction: Genuinely, this Farnborough side could click and secure an unexpected top-half finish or it could be dismantled by February and hovering around 18th. Finances sensibly come first with the Yellows and with that it mind, a safe mid-table bet is probably where the odds lie. 

Farnham Town

Last season

Southern League Premier Division South: 2nd

Top Goalscorer: Jack Dean (14)

Ins

Trae Cook Appiah (Hemel Hempstead)

Miles Obodo (Reading)

Keane Anderson (Aldershot Town) 

Aaron Kuhl (Farnborough)

Rakish Bingham (Farnborough)

Erion Zabeli (Slough Town)

James Shaw (Hassocks)

Sam Hutchinson (AFC Wimbledon)

Outs
Adam Liddle

Joe Jackson

Ogo Obi

Seb Bowerman

Ben Purcell

Imran Uche

Andronicos Georgiou

Great Evans

Harry Cooksley

Potential Line up

Eacott

Dean, Bayliss, Kinnane, Mason

Hutchinson, Kuhl

Taylor, Sanders

Dean, Bingham

Squad brief: With three promotions in a row, Farnham Town don't show any signs of slowing down soon. Summer recruitment has been careful to identify players who can enhance the squad and ensure it is step two ready. There have been very few additions to the Town's backline with veteran goalkeeper James Shaw signed to provide competition to number one Michael Eacott after the 22-year-old's eleven clean sheets last season. Also, full back Erion Zabeli has arrived after a number of positive performances for Slough during the closing months of last season. Nevertheless, Zabeli will have his work cut out to displace the reliable Jack Dean at right back or former Coventry City man Brandon Mason at left back. In the middle, it was a surprise to some to see the commanding Dan Bayliss depart Chesham and drop a league to play for Farnham back in October. The risk paid off however with the 27-year-old a key man at the heart of the defence alongside the equally solid Ryan Kinnane. 

Moving into midfield and it is clear that this is the area manager Paul Johnson has strategically targeted to strengthen. The marquee signing of the summer is that of 36-year-old Sam Hutchinson. Although once of Chelsea in his youth, Hutchinson is better known for a near ten year spell at Sheffield Wednesday, largely in the Championship. In recent seasons however, he has spent more time on the fringes of AFC Wimbledon's squad in League One and Two. Perhaps a signing that has garnered less attention but with potentially a higher ceiling is that of Aaron Kuhl. The former Farnborough man missed most of last season with a broken leg but is one of the stronger box-to-box midfielders in the division when available. Kuhl's former Yellows teammate Billy Clifford will also be seeking a starting spot after arriving in March and scoring four goals in the final ten games. Elsewhere, the versatile Tom Leggett, who can also play in defence, and Mat McKenzie are other options for the central area after new signing Keane Anderson suffered a likely season-ending ACL injury during pre-season. 

Further ahead, Town often like to operate in a narrow 4-4-2 system and Player of the Season Bobby Joe Taylor will likely keep his place down the right side. On the opposite flank, you would expect to find goalscoring midfielder Daryl Sanders. The 28-year-old has hit double figures and provided a glutton of assists in each of the club's three promotion campaigns. Up front, Town are blessed with a wealth of options. Homegrown Owen Dean, brother of the club's right back Jack, is a non-league sensation with 87 goals in total for Farnham - nearly 70 of which have arrived in the past three seasons. After signing from Slough last season, Sam Evans was also a great support in attack after notching fourteen times himself. To supplement even further, Johnson has signed the experienced Rakish Bingham following a fifteen goal season at Farnborough and the promising Trae Cook-Appiah, who suffered a frustrating season on the fringes at Hemel Hempstead. A wildcard however may be the acquisition of Miles Obodo - only nineteen, the striker was prolific on loan in step three last season and already has a wealth of experiences after breaking through at Swindon Town aged just sixteen. 

Manager: With a plethora of accolades to his name, Paul Johnson leads the fastest rising non-league club into step two for the first time this coming season. Following a successful stint at Spelthorne Sports, Johnson took over at Bedfont Sports in 2015 and managed the club for eight years, earned the club a promotion from step five and established them in the Isthmian League during the COVID years. It was in November of 2022 when Johnson took the reigns at Farnham Town and the club have had unprecedented success since. Immediately silverware was won in the Southern Combination Cup final before embarking on a 25 game winning run at the beginning of the 2023/24 season that saw Town achieve an invincible campaign and promotion to step four. Johnson's side won the Isthmian South Central division by 20 points the following year before last season's 2nd place finish in the Southern Premier Division South. A 5-1 victory in the play off final against Gloucester marked a third successive promotion and a debut in the National League South for the club. 

MVP: Aaron Kuhl

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Owen Dean

Overall Thoughts: Farnham Town are clearly a club on the up. Some clubs who promote rapidly reach step two and then plateau with the part to full time divide too much to bridge. However, Town appear as if they could be one of the teams that could break that mould. Owner Harry Hugo sold his influencer agency for a nine figure fee and his entrepreneurial skills have since helped Farnham become one of the most recognisable clubs in non-league with a growing fanbase. Regularly updating the ground to make league regulations after each promotion, Hugo has set promotion to the EFL as a goal but is realistic enough to know that it will take careful work and planning to get there. The squad this season looks adept to compete and manager Paul Johnson has the experience of getting the best from them. Question marks would perhaps be aimed at a defence that has little cover and does not look as strong as others with more established step two players. Also, as attractive as they sound on paper, it has to be wondered if Sam Hutchinson and Billy Clifford have the legs still for a 46 game National League South campaign. Nevertheless, it has to be said that the side look incredibly exciting going forward and although ninety goals might be hard pressed to match, it would not be a surprise to see Town amongst the higher scorers in the division this season.  

Prediction: There is no question that Farnham Town will be entertaining to watch with a front four that looks to be full of goals. One wonders if they will perhaps will emulate AFC Totton's debut campaign as a side that wins handsomely at times but will also come in for a reality check on occasions too. A season in upper mid-table would provide the perfect foundation for Town to launch a promotion campaign the following year. 

Hampton & Richmond Borough

Last season

National League South: 18th 

Top Goalscorer: Reece Grego-Cox (10)

Ins

Ben Jackson (Worthing)

Jasper Mather (St Albans)

Will De Havilland (Maidenhead United)

Wesley Fonguck (Farnborough)

Pat Nash (Aldershot Town)

Ashley Akpan (Aldershot Town)

Maxwell Mullins (Eastbourne Borough)

Theo Widdrington (Aldershot Town)

Sak Hassan (Wealdstone)

Hayden Barrett (Watford)

Lewis Allan (Tunbridge Wells)

Outs
Craig Fasanmade

Sam Deadfield

Charlie Sayers

David Longe King

Haydon Vaughn

Alan Massey

Harry Thomas

Ronan Silva

Brendan Kiernan

Potential Line up

Nash

Fernandez, De Havilland, Jackson

Akpan, Widdrington, Kretzschmar, Mullins

Fonguck, Hassan

Grego-Cox

Squad brief: Twelve months is a long time in football as Hampton & Richmond go into the new season with renewed optimism. Last summer's revamp on a shoestring budget predictably did not have the desired effect and with the Beavers in the relegation zone come December, Alan Dowson was appointed. With safety secured by ten points, Dowson has used the summer to mould the squad more into his image. A permanent goalkeeper has been a must and the 56-year-old has brought in Pat Nash - a player who has risen from step five in just a handful of seasons after impressing many non-league onlookers. In front of him, Dowson has unsurprisingly recruited high physicality for his back three with the towering Ben Jackson returning after a short loan spell last season, and the no nonsense Will de Havilland signing from Maidenhead. The versatile Paul Field will be aiming for a starting spot too and it may be that he challenges new signing Ashley Akpan for minutes down the flanks. Another new recruit from Aldershot in Maxwell Mullins will also be aiming for regular football and it may well be that the wing back role offers him the best chance of this. 

In the centre of the pitch, the Beavers boast potentially one of the most experienced midfields in the division. Former Wealdstone man Max Kretzschmar will likely start alongside another hard-working arrival from Aldershot in Theo Widdrington. Dowson could also call upon veteran Rohan Ince or the reliable Mike Atkinson. With eyes on developing stars for the future too, Hayden Barrett and Lewis Allan have both been signed for the season. Barrett, comfortable as either an eight or a ten, has made the journey from Watford's academy whilst Allan, who prefers to play a bit deeper, has worked his way up the ranks and joins after impressing as a trialist this summer. 

Within the front three, Dowson has looked to add a bit more flair to his side with the signing of Sak Hassan from Wealdstone. The 25-year-old impressed at times during his stint with the National League side but did not feature again after 'breaching his contract' for turning out in the Ballers League in March. Another to join is the mecurial Wes Fonguck after a short spell at Farnborough whilst centre-forward Jasper Mathar was highly regarded at St Albans recently and managed nineteen goal contributions in just twenty-eight starts last season. A large chunk of the responsibility will fall upon 2025/26 Club Player of the Season Reece Grego-Cox, with the hope that he can maintain his fitness for the majority of the campaign. 

Manager:  A non league stalwart; Alan Dowson has forged a very successful career in non-league football over the last 20 years. Starting out in 2004 with Walton & Hersham, he soon attracted the approaches of Kingstonian whom he spent 7 years with and led to a promotion from the Isthmian League South along with several top five finishes. Dowson's next project was at current club Hampton & Richmond who he led to promotion from the Isthmian Premier League scoring over 100 goals and was also a penalty shoot out away from taking the club to the National League in 2018. Just two days after that near miss, Dowson joined Woking and he achieved promotion to the National League with them in his very first season. The club finished 10th in their first season back in the top tier of non-league football and embarked on a run to the FA Cup third round where they faced Premier League side Watford. However, he was sacked in 2022 after a run of poor form before joining Dartford in the same year. Dowson left the Darts in 2024 and had a short spell at Aldershot as a coach before returning to Hampton & Richmond in late 2025 for his second spell in charge. The 56-year-old managed to lead the Beavers away from relegation danger and will hope to push them further up the table this coming season. 

MVP: Max Kretzschmar

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Reece Grego-Cox

Overall Thoughts: After 2025 consisted of pure turmoil, 2026 has so far proved to be much more stable for Hampton & Richmond. The appointment of Alan Dowson in December 2025 brought with it 29 points over the final twenty-two games, which on average would lead to a comfortable mid-table finish over a nine month period. His team with Fernandez, De Havilland and Jackson in defence are going to be physically adept at defending their own box whilst Kretzschmar and Widdrington, albeit a touch one dimensional, bring National League pedigree with them. To push higher up the division, Dowson's men probably require a little more magic and prolificacy in the final third than they currently possess on paper. For example, Sak Hassan, albeit technically strong, needs to develop his end product whilst Wes Fonguck's career trajectory appears to be in regression with too many performances where he has gone missing in recent years. Over the course of a season though, 56-year-old Dowson is as reliable an operator as you can hope to have in charge at this level and there is very little, if any, chance that the Beavers will be in relegation trouble as a result.

Prediction: Every season before the big kick off, there are a handful of sides that are equipped to just be steady with no frills. Hampton & Richmond fall into this category at present. The overall quality of the squad is not high enough to push into play off contention, but there is definitely enough grit and experience within to ensure another season of struggle should not be a consideration. 

Hemel Hempstead Town

Last season

National League South: 5th

Top Goalscorer: Millar Matthews-Lewis (12)

Ins

Isaac Pitblado (Eastbourne Borough)

T'Sharne Gallimore (Enfield Town)

Jesse Effa (Cheshunt)

Josh Green (Basingstoke Town)

David Longe-King (Hampton & Richmond)

Leo Cole (Abingdon United)

Cameron Forde-Brown (Kings Lynn Town)

Josh Steele (Biggleswade Town)

Marshall Francis (Sheffield United U21)

Amir Hadi (Braintree Town)

Jake Tabor (Swindon Town)

Archie O'Brien (QPR U21 - loan)

Outs
Jermaine Anderson

Steve Arnold

James Holden

Bradley Smith

Joe White

Lucas Perry

Trae Cook-Appiah

Isiah Noel-Williams

Kyle Ajayi

Louis Lomas

Finley Wilkinson

Jack Bateson

Samuel Adenola

Potential Line up

Johnson

Stanley, Rowan, Longe-King, Dowrich

Green, Gallimore

Williams, Hadi, Vilhete

Campbell

Squad brief: Every season a dark horse emerges somewhat unexpectedly into the promotion battle and last season that turned out to be Hemel Hempstead Town. Although predicted by many to have a good season, few foresaw the title challenge that developed and an eventual 5th place finish that equaled the club's best. As with most part-time sides that punch above their weight, the assets who performed so well make the jump into full-time football. With manager Lee Allinson doing just that, it is up to a former manager in Lee Bircham to rebuild and steady the ship. In goal, the reliable Michael Johnson remains but he guards behind a largely new-look defence. Kyle Ajayi, Jack Bateson and Louis Lomas have all moved on but Charlie Rowan remains and he will likely be partnered by new signing David Longe-King. At right back, Samuel Adenola's departure paves the way for Devante Stanley to be the undisputed number one right back whilst Isaac Pitblado, signed from Eastbourne Borough, will likely begin the season but will do well to hold onto his place once the impressive Darion Dowrich is back from injury in late autumn. 

Moving into midfield and the reliable Kyran Wiltshire and Matthew Achuba provide a solid base for the Tudors to build from. With Players' Player of the Season Isiah Noel-Williams leaving for League Two, there has been room to recruit. Bircham immediately swooped for a player he knows well in T'Sharne Gallimore after an impressive short spell under the manager at Bedford Town last season. Another player joining from the National League North is Cameron Forde-Brown after struggling to break through at the Linnets. Also, the club delved into step three looking to unearth the latest gem and have landed the lively Josh Green from Basingstoke Town. Young QPR academy prospect Archie O'Brien has also joined with a view of potentially playing further forward behind the striker. 

Out wide, former Welsh international George Williams and the versatile Mauro Vilhete will likely continue to be the go to duo in big moments for Bircham. Nevertheless, with the help of Head of Recruitment Joseph Pope, the Tudors have landed some wildcards with Jesse Effa, who is fresh from an impressive season with Cheshunt in the Isthmian Premier, and Leo Cole - aged just seventeen with multiple goals and assists at step five level for Abingdon United. Or potentially, another former step five hotshot in Jake Tabor could feature in a wider role. The 22-year-old memorably scored over 100 goals in just two seasons at step five and six to land a move into League Two last season where he only featured sparsely. Through the middle, the Tudors have a range of options. Remaye Campbell remains the most likely to start after joining the club in January and returning an impressive seven goals from eighteen games. Amir Hadi could be another choice to lead the line, or play slightly deeper, after his rushed move from Farnborough to National League Braintree did not work out last season. Perhaps the most intriguing of the lot though is Josh Steele - who in the mould of Ollie Hawkins and Gary Doherty can play both as a striker and a central defender. Twenty two goals last season at step four level would suggest that Steele knows where the back of the net is as well as being a physical presence. 

Manager: Brother of former Millwall and QPR player Marc, Lee Bircham returned to Hemel Hempstead for a second spell this summer after a period of resounding success since leaving the club first time around. The 49-year-old's managerial career started in 2016 at Bovingdon where he led the club to a first league title in their one hundred year history. This triggered a move in 2018 to Berkhamsted, who he led to the top of their division before COVID curtailed the season. Hemel swooped in 2020 and a stable 10th place finish in the National League South was secured. However, Bircham was sacked after just six games of the following season with the Tudors rooted to the bottom of the table. In March 2022, step four Leighton Town came calling and a league/cup double was achieved the following season. This initiated a move to Bedford Town, who were struggling in step four themselves in the summer of 2023. However, Bircham worked his magic and achieved back-to-back league titles to secure a place in the National League North for the 2025/26 season. Impressively Bircham led the team to an unlikely survival with 53 points, but then resigned stating the difficulty of maintaining a club the size of Bedford Town in step two football. It wasn't long before former club Hemel Hempstead swooped this summer with Bircham aiming to continue building on the foundations set by former manager Lee Allinson.

MVP: Darion Dowrich

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Remaye Campbell

Overall Thoughts: It is never easy to take over a club after a season of success with the best players all departing before your very eyes. By the same token, it has also allowed new manager Lee Bircham a fresh canvas to put his stamp on the side. Rather than attempt to compete with bigger spenders, careful recruitment and profiling has been carried out in an attempt to unearth some of the hidden talent in the lower leagues. What helps Hemel though is that they have retained a fair portion of their squad with reliable step two regulars such as Devante Stanley, Mauro Vilhete and Kyran Wiltshire amongst others providing the knowhow that this level requires to be successful. Remaye Campbell also looks like he has the potential for a fifteen goal season whilst the blessing in disguise of Darion Dowrich's injury has allowed the Tudors to retain a player destined for greater things. But make no mistake, the expectations should not be another promotion challenge this coming campaign. As although players of raw potential have been signed, it is a tall ask for them to pick up where those who have departed left off. Nevertheless, Hemel remain an intriguing prospect - one which will likely suffer more bumps in the road than last season, but who may just entertain a little bit more along the way. 

Prediction: The Tudors were the division's outliers last season - somehow forging a title challenge with only fifty-five goals to their name and just forty-eight conceded. It is hard to see the culmination of that eighteen month project under Lee Allinson being replicated. What is more likely is a season of consolidation before Hemel look at how they gatecrash the party once again. 

Tonbridge Angels

Last season

National League South: 14th

Top Goalscorer: Tom Leahy (10)

Ins

Nathan Harness (Maidstone United)

Frankie Baker (Millwall U21)

Sam Corne (Maidstone United) 

Harvey Lintott (Eastbourne Borough)

Lamar Reynolds (Enfield Town)

Harry Gardner (Hampton & Richmond)

Jephte Tanga (Maidstone United)

Ethan Sutcliffe (AFC Wimbledon)

Lexus Beeden (Maidstone United)

Outs
Tom Leahy 

Marcus Sablier

Martell Taylor-Crossdale

Scott Wagstaff

Nazir Bakrin

Jordan Higgs

Matty Warren 

Kyle Smith

Potential Line up

Harness

Lintott, Sutcliffe, Beeden, Akehurst

Gardner, Williams

Tanga, Corne, Korboa

Babajide

Squad brief: After a stuttering start to last season, Tonbridge recovered well to secure a mid-table finish over the shrewd stewardship of former Millwall defender Alan Dunne. Looking to push on to the next level, the Angels have moved on some players around the edges and looked to put a small, but strong squad together. After using loan goalkeepers during the second half of last season, Dunne has managed to tempt Nathan Harness to the Longmead Stadium after the 26-year-old turned out regularly for Maidstone in the most recent campaign. With Tobi Omole remaining at centre back, supporters will be delighted to see loan star and Player of the Season Ethan Sutcliffe return on a permanent deal from AFC Wimbledon after acquiring seventy-plus appearances for the Angels over three previous separate loan spells. Dunne has also managed to persuade the physically imposing Lexus Beeden to join from Maidstone in what feels like a coup for the club. At full back, Bailey Akehurst has long since made the left back spot his own since joining around eighteen months ago whilst Harvey Lintott arrives after a difficult season at right back with Eastbourne but still touted with potential from his time prior to that at Northampton. 

Into midfield and Bradley Williams will likely line up in the centre after a positive first season following a move from Chelmsford last summer. He could well be partnered by former Hampton & Richmond box-to-box midfielder Harry Gardner, who left the Beavers over the summer. Slightly further forward, Sam Corne has chosen to make the short journey from Maidstone to Tonbridge. The former Stones captain scored over thirty goals for the club and will be looking to chip in for the Angels this season. 

On the right, Dunne has acquired his 4th signing from Maidstone with the arrival of Jephte Tanga. Still only twenty-two, the pocket rocket has shown glimpses of his full potential after a seven goal season at the Stones but will be aiming for double figures this time around. The left side could well be taken by the talented Ricky Korboa. Once of Woking, the 29-year-old has struggled with injuries throughout his career but remains a classy operator when available. If injured, then Lamar Reynolds would be a consistent performer at this level after scoring ten goals for relegated Enfield Town last season. Up front, Tom Leahy's departure following ten goals from his twenty-two games at the Angels was a small blip on the summer business. Oluwabunmi Babajide remains and he will be looking to add to his nine goals - his best return yet - from last season. Dunne has also brought in 20-year-old Frankie Baker following his loan spell at the Angels last season where he returned three goals in twenty-two appearances. 

Manager: Known as a no-nonsense defender, Alan Dunne's recent foray into non-league management has been a long time coming. The 43-year-old is perhaps best known for an esteemed 15 year period as one of Millwall's best defenders as the club plied their trade in the Championship. In the twilight of his playing career, Dunne also turned out for Leyton Orient and finally Bromley, where he was appointed as first team coach in 2018 whilst still playing. Upon his retirement in 2020, Dunne stepped up to the position of Assistant Manager and worked particularly closely with Andy Woodman as Bromley historically promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history. Dunne continued as assistant with the club in League Two until deciding to leave in February 2025 to pursue other opportunities. In September 2025, following Craig Nelson's departure after a disappointing start to the season, Dunne was appointed as Tonbridge Angels manager, where he impressed leading the club away from the relegation zone and to a comfortable mid-table finish. 

MVP: Lexus Beeden

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Oluwabunmi Babajide

Overall Thoughts: As mid table as seasons come for Tonbridge Angels after making a quick decision around ten games into last season that Craig Nelson was not the right man to take the side forward. The club remedied their mistake quickly and new manager Alan Dunne took a quietly impressive fifty points from thirty-seven games. Hopes are high for the future with the club announcing recently that the fan owned club is seeking investment to help take them to the next level. Such financial help would allow the Angels to invest into a deeper squad which would help tremendously during the fixture congested months of the season. However, in the short-term, it looks like Alan Dunne will have to work the loan market smartly to supplement what looks to be a solid step two squad. The 43-year-old's side look to have a strong core in defence and midfield but are currently lacking scoring power up front, which may just keep them behind some of the other play off challengers. 

Prediction: Going into the new season, Tonbridge Angels feel like they are heading in the right direction. Manager Alan Dunne forged a good reputation whilst assistant under Andy Woodman at Bromley and early signs last season were that he has adapted to management well. With a summer to really insert his ideas, it would not be a surprise if Tonbridge improved slightly on a 14th place finish. 

Play off contenders (5th - 11th)

Billericay Town

Last season

Isthmian League Premier: 3rd

Top Goalscorer: Frankie Merrifield (16)

Ins

Louis Lomas (Hemel Hempstead)

Odei Martin (Worthing)

Taylor Clark (Chelmsford City)

George Wind (Southend United)

Matty MacArthur (Chatham Town)

Ben Isaacson (Kettering Town)

Joe Wright (Barnet)

Joseph Johnson (Redbridge)

Outs
Teddy Collis

Tyrell Miller-Rodney

Ben Steward

Jazzi Barnum-Bobb

Jack Evans

Tyrese Owen

Tommy Davis

Potential Line up

Wright

Wind, Lomas, Scott, Porter

Watts, Martin

Long, Ruff, Benton

Merrifield

Squad brief: At one point last season, it looked as if Billericay Town may well be in a struggle to avoid dropping to the Isthmian Division One. November 2025 saw the club on the edge of the relegation zone with Danny Scopes under pressure. From that point, the Blues only lost four more matches all season as they clinched 3rd place and ultimately went up via the play offs. Scopes' recruitment has been measured this summer as key players such as Charlie Ruff and Callum Watts were acquired midway through last season. However with Jacob Adams out with a long-term injury, a new goalkeeper has been required and Scopes has recruited the experienced Joe Wright from Barnet. Captain Ryan Scott, formerly of Hornchurch, will remain at centre back and will likely be partnered by the talented Louie Lomas - part of Hemel Hempstead's outstanding defence last season. Six-foot-four Ben Isaacson could also be an option in a two man partnership after signing from Kettering whilst Ollie Parsons is another young defensive talent who joined midway through last season. At full back, the reliable Jay Porter will likely continue down the left. Former star George Wind returned to the club this summer too after being unable to displace Gus Scott-Morriss at Southend; the 23-year-old will prove a capable outlet down the right side. Also, following a successful trial, Joseph Johnson is able to deputise on either flank following some standout performances at step four Redbridge last season. 

In the middle, Callum Watts was outstanding after joining from Weymouth in December. The former Chelmsford man scored the winner goal in the play off final against Brentwood Town and his relentless running will be complimented by possession metronome Odei Martin, who has joined from Hemel Hempstead. Strengthening further, 21-year-old Taylor Clark has also put pen to paper and already boasts over 70 appearances in the National League South. Further ahead, Charlie Ruff is situated just behind the lone striker and is previously prolific in this division with thirty-two goals achieved over two campaigns for Chelmsford. Despite missing significant parts of last season, Jon Benton is another talent who has shown his capability for playing at a higher level and the 25-year-old will likely feature from the left. However, he could well face competition from impressive winger Matty MacArthur, who was one of the standout players in Chatham Town's run to the Isthmian Premier play offs last season. From the right, Player of the Season Elliot Long was instrumental in Billericay's success with a series of creative and classy displays. 

In attack, the Blues have a choice between Frankie Merrifield, Macauley Bonne or Alfie Cerulli. Merrifield ended up the club's top goalscorer last season with sixteen and is often a handful for defenders with his physicality and battling displays. Bonne is of similar stature and chipped in with some important goals towards the back end of the campaign after joining in February. Cerulli has previously acquired almost one hundred appearances in the National League South for Braintree and Hemel Hempstead and his versatility acts as a real asset across the Blues attack line. 

Manager: No stranger to the National League South, Danny Scopes is back - this time with Billericay Town. Formerly a Great Wakering player, Scopes started his managerial career back in 2007 at Concord Rangers alongside Danny Cowley. The joint managers managed to secure promotion from the Essex Senior League to the Ryman Premier League before Scopes stood down after five years in charge. After numerous years of working behind the scenes and in smaller coaching roles, Scopes returned to Concord as a coach under then manager Sammy Moore. However, when Moore left in 2019, Scopes assumed the managerial position and led the team to an FA Trophy final whilst navigating some difficult seasons under COVID regulations. The 51-year-old resigned in 2021 before taking the Aveley job a few months later, where he saw his greatest success to date. A double promotion was achieved with the club rising from the Isthmian North to the National League South. Furthermore, Scopes was able to secure Aveley's highest ever finish, which resulted in qualification for the step two play offs. After resigning following a difficult second season in the National League South, Scopes became Billericay Town manager at the beginning of the 2025/26 season and subsequently led them to step two promotion at the first attempt after beating Brentwood Town in the Isthmian Premier play off final. 

MVP: Jon Benton

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Charlie Ruff

Overall Thoughts: A few years after leading Aveley to a shock play off appearance in the National League South, Danny Scopes is back - this time with Billericay Town. The highly rated manager took a little while to get it right with the Blues last season but kept up his reputation of leading clubs to success in the lower leagues. Importantly this summer, Town have managed to retain all of their influential contracted players from last season. Like most part time sides, the squad is relatively small but strong in personnel. However unlike other part time sides, the Blues seem to have a knack for securing some of the best non-league talent who wish to stay part-time. Jon Benton, Charlie Ruff and Louie Lomas are just a few who could quite easily be playing at a higher level whilst a large quantity of the squad have significant National League South experience and good level performances in the bank. Under a manager who knows how to pace a season, Billericay Town could well be the dark horses for a play off position. Crucial to this will be Scopes' effective use of the Essex loan market during the season and a bit of luck with injuries. Possibly one area that the club may need to strengthen is up front as the current striking options look solid but Town perhaps just lack an out and out goalscorer that some other sides tipped for the top have. 

Prediction: Every season there is always an unexpected play off challenger. Last season, many people's (including mine) dark horses Hemel came good and challenged the bigger clubs for promotion. Could it be Billericay's turn? With real talented operators who have previously performed well at a higher level and a savvy manager, there are worse predictions to make.  

Dagenham & Redbridge

Last season

National League: 13th

Top Goalscorer: Joe Haigh (8)

Ins

Harry Beautyman (Woking FC) 

Kane Crichlow (Sutton United)

Nathan Ashmore (Boreham Wood)

Archie Tamplin (Chelmsford City)

Kymani Thomas (Brentwood Town)

Antony Papadopoulos (Crawley Town)

Henry Hawkins (Enfield Town)

Joshua Addae (Chesham United)

Davide Rodari (Sutton United)

Liam Vincent (Sutton United)

Jet Dyer (Millwall U21)

Noah Coppin (Salisbury FC)

Jack Bateson (Hemel Hempstead)

Samuel Adenola (Hemel Hempstead)

Hamza Semakula (Aveley)

Charles Clayden (Boreham Wood)

Outs
Ashley Hemmings

Christian Maghoma

Christian N'Guessan

Donovan Wilson

Dylan Stephenson

Joseph Ajose

Nortei Nortey

Paul Kalambayi 

Rafiq Khaleel

Rashawn Scott

Reggie Young

Trent Rendall 

Aramide Oteh

Joe Haigh

Conor Lawless

Ben Nightingale

Andre Burley

Potential Line up

Ashmore

Adenola, Graham, Bateson, Vincent

Tamplin, Harrack

Clayden, Beautyman, Crichlow

Carroll

Squad brief: Expected to bounce back after an atrocious relegation from the National League, Dagenham & Redbridge ended up being one of the division's disappointments last season. Lee Bradbury's laboured and defensive style of play saw him depart with the side finishing 13th and never troubling the play off positions. Nevertheless, new ownership involving Tony Fernandes and KSI has seen a fresh wave of optimism injected at the Daggers, made more so by the arrival of the captivatingly positive Lee Allinson. Out has gone 95% of the deadwood as the 40-year-old sets about changing the mentality of the club. To epitomise this, one of the first through the door was a big character in 36-year-old Nathan Ashmore - largely regarded as one of the best non-league goalkeepers of the past decade. In front of him, Allinson has retained the solid Sam Graham and added two players from his time at Hemel in Jack Bateson and Jet Dyer. The towering left footed Henry Hawkins has also arrived after an impressive year in the division with Enfield Town. At full back, Liam Vincent will be given license to whip crosses into the box from the left after joining from Sutton whilst right back looks an interesting battle between another of Allinson's former players in Samuel Adenola or long-throw specialist Joshua Addae, who has signed after a standout season at Chesham. 

The central midfield area has long been a source of Daggers despair but there appears to be signs of improvement at last. George Marsh and Tim Dieng remain, and both will be expected to improve their output from the previous campaign. However, the signing of all-action Archie Tamplin could well provide Daggers with the combative edge they were sorely lacking at times last season. The 23-year-old could well feature alongside the ever-improving Kayden Harrack - a player that Allinson was desperate to keep at the club upon taking the job. Also, veteran Sutton midfielder Harry Beautyman may well feature further forward but is capable of playing deeper in a two man midfield if required, as Daggers supporters will hope he can replicate the two double-digit goal hauls from his past two campaigns at National League level. 

Out wide has seen the biggest change to the Daggers squad with genuine pace and trickery added. Charles Clayden, fresh from a promotion with Boreham Wood two seasons ago from the National League South, has signed with the 25-year-old bound to cause sides problems with his relentless running down either side. Further speed has been added with Noah Coppin and the tricky Kymani Thomas joining from Salisbury and Brentwood Town respectively. Down the left, Kane Crichlow may have the nod at present as the former Chelmsford man will hope to repeat his thirteen goal season of two years ago. A wildcard in the attacking areas could well be Anthony Papadopoulous however. Technically proficient, the 23-year-old needs to find regular football at a stable home to fulfill a potential that should have him playing in a higher division. Furthest forward, Andy Carroll and Stan Leech will both be hoping for crosses galore whilst Davide Rodari is another option, although more than likely from the bench to begin with. 

Manager: With a steady semi-professional playing career at the likes of Boreham Wood, Arlesey Town and Biggleswade Town, Lee Allinson is climbing the managerial ranks of non-league football. An initial spell as assistant manager at St Albans under his father Ian in 2018 was short lived as Biggleswade took a gamble on him. After guiding the Waders into play off contention, Hendon swooped to appoint him in November 2019 after just a few months in the role. Five seasons of keeping the club in the Southern Premier League caught the eye of others and it was Hemel Hempstead who decided to take a chance on the 38-year-old. With the club plummeting down the table under Bobby Wilkinson, Allinson immediately had a positive impact and managed to take an impressive 40 points from his 26 matches in charge to dispel any relegation concerns. With a full season now in front of him in 2025/26, Allinson launched an unlikely title challenge as the Tudors missed out on top spot by only four points. An excellent campaign that ended with defeat in the quarter finals of the play offs caught the attention of Dagenham & Redbridge, where Allinson will aim to launch another title bid this coming season. 

MVP: Harry Beautyman

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Andy Carroll

Overall Thoughts: One of the bookies' favourites for the title, Dagenham and Redbridge understandably approach this year's National League South full of optimism. However, supporters of the club will be first to inform you that success is not guaranteed with the club finishing in a lower position than the last in each of the past five seasons. Such a trend has been indicative of the club's woes over the past fifteen years but the squad that Lee Allinson has assembled this summer looks highly capable of mounting a promotion challenge. Full of energy, creativity and potential goals, expect the Daggers to press opponents all over the pitch with the aim of eventually wearing them down. The manager himself comes off a season where former side Hemel had one of the best defensive records in the division playing with a similar high octane energy. This Daggers side is mostly under twenty-five but is surprisingly experienced in terms of how many appearances players in this bracket have made which bodes well for the challenge ahead. There are still a few questions of course, such as whether Andy Carroll can avoid frequent injuries and if stronger sides may be able to exploit Liam Vincent's attacking intent and Henry Hawkins lack of pace down the left. Or potentially whether an injury to Archie Tamplin would leave Daggers with a very similar midfield combination to the one that struggled so badly just months ago. All in all, this is not just the most rounded Daggers team for a while, but the most well run the Daggers have been behind the scenes in recent memory. Finally, just maybe, there is a platform for the club to move forward from again. 

Prediction: Anything other than the top seven would be a disaster for the Daggers. However, this looks well in the side's remit with a manager on an upward trajectory and confident in his own identity. With a group of players brimming with potential and the club no doubt willing to add to the player pool throughout the season, Allinson's men should be in the mix but it might just take a brand new squad a little while to fully click into gear. 

Folkestone Invicta

Last season

Isthmian League Premier: 1st

Top Goalscorer: Jake Hutchinson (24)

Ins

Alejandro Machado (Brentwood Town)

Aaron Cosgrove (Ebbsfleet United)

Harvey Kedwell (Croydon Athletic)

John Akinde (Braintree Town)

Reggie Young (Dagenham & Redbridge)

Jamie Fielding (Ebbsfleet United)

Dan Quick (Eastbourne Borough)

Outs
Ronnie Dolan

Harley Earle

Jack Jebb

Montel McKenzie

Ade Yusuff 

Ryan Kingsford

Joel-Michael Odeniran

Mikey Berry

Jake Hutchinson

Potential Line up

Collins

Smith, Fielding, Lokko,

Mason, Lovatt, Woodyard, Young

Thomas

Cosgrave, Akinde

Squad brief: Seasons don't get much better than the one Folkestone Invicta just had: 96 points, only four defeats and over one hundred goals scored! Hopes are high that Jay Saunders' side can make an instant splash in the National League South with the majority of the title winning squad signed up for another year. Goalkeeper Teddy Collins will hope to get somewhere close to the sixteen clean sheets he managed last season. In front of him remains reliable leader and Supporters' Player of the Season Kevin Lokko. Although the highly rated Joel-Michael Odeniran has departed, Invicta have signed two defenders with over one hundred appearances each at step two level in Jamie Fielding, from Ebbsfleet, and Dan Quick, from Eastbourne Borough. Liam Smith - a picture of consistency across the back line - remains as too does Ben Mason, who managed nine goals from a wing back role last season. However, he will be challenged for the spot down the right by Ike Orji now that the 23-year-old has returned from a lengthy injury that kept him out for large parts of the previous campaign. Down the left, Saunders has brought in the direct Reggie Young following his release from Dagenham & Redbridge. 

Moving into the midfield and the Seasiders have looked to add further competition into the engine room. 33-year-old Alex Woodyard and his vast array of Football League experience will continue to be key for Saunders' side at the base of their midfield and supporters will have been delighted to see the ex-Lincoln man's regular partner Adam Lovatt resign after temporarily leaving the club as well. Nevertheless, further strengthening has occurred with the signing of the energetic Harvey Kedwell. The 21-year-old had a strong season with Croydon Athletic following a promising loan spell with Dagenham & Redbridge when he was just eighteen. Further ahead, the languid Donell Thomas remains a key figure after scoring eight goals from his thirty-five appearances in attacking midfield for the Seasiders. Nevertheless, the acquisition of Alejandro Machado from Isthmian League play off finalists Brentwood Town gives Saunders a slightly different cultured and creative option within his midfield. 

In attack, the departure of Jake Hutchinson following a twenty-four goal season was a blow although admittedly the forward had not previously excelled in the National League South anyway. New arrival Aaron Cosgrove may well take up the role of playing off the target man after finding starts hard to come by at Ebbsfleet in recent times. The experienced Joe Piggott could well play that role alongside Cosgrove after scoring at almost a rate of one in two in the Isthmian Premier League. However, he will face competition himself to start as Saunders has signed 37-year-old John Akinde. Whilst not as prolific as he once was, the big striker was still a regular starter in the division above last season and will undoubtedly be a handful for defences in the National League South. 

Manager: After a playing career in the non-league predominately south of London, Jay Saunders has continued that trend in his successive fifteen year managerial career. Initially making his name with Maidstone United, Saunders was in charge of the club for seven seasons and managed to gain three promotions from the Isthmian South East division all the way to the National League. After leaving the Stones, Saunders returned to Margate - a club close to his heart from his playing days. Three subsequent seasons were disrupted by COVID and Saunders could not say no when approached by National League South side Tonbridge Angels. In three further seasons, Saunders almost led the club to a play off spot and ensured they were regulars around upper mid-table. It came as a surprise therefore when Saunders chose to accept the managerial position at step three Folkestone Invicta in March of 2025. However, this was proved vindicated with the 47-year-old leading the Seasiders to the Isthmian Premier Division title  with 96 points to secure the club a first appearance in step two for twenty three years. 

MVP: Kevin Lokko

Top Goalscorer Prediction: John Akinde

Overall Thoughts: Folkestone have all the hallmarks of a typical title winning side at step three. They have lost one or two assets but by and large they have retained the majority of a strong, yet tight-knit, squad. Crucially, the summer additions are all 'National League South ready' and will enhance a team well-versed in the front foot manner that Saunders requires them to play. Ex-Daggers and Farnborough man Reggie Young should sparkle in a genuine wing-back role whilst John Akinde and Aaron Cosgrove should be able to cover the goals lost from Jake Hutchinson's departure. But generally, the Seasiders spread their strikes out amongst the team, evidenced by Ben Mason striking nine from wing-back last season. Where other sides are looking to construct an identity during pre-season, Folkestone already have theirs and will be confident of a good start. Invicta's main trump card however could well be the manager: significantly Jay Saunders is well-renowned in this division and most recently consolidated a Tonbridge Angels side around the top half of the table on a meagre budget. With a little more to play with at the Seasiders, the 47-year-old will be quietly confident of making Folkestone Invicta a competitive outfit at the right end of this division for seasons to come. 

Prediction: As high as fourth favourites for the National League South title with some bookies, don't be fooled into expecting Folkestone to run away with the league once again. There is a significant jump from step three to the top half of step two although the Seasiders will comfortably avoid a relegation battle. With an excellent manager in Jay Saunders, a top half finish is achievable and perhaps even a run at the play offs if other sides falter. 

Maidenhead United

Last season

National League South: 7th

Top Goalscorer: Josh Umerah (16)

Ins

Josh Coley (Ebbsfleet United)

Daniel Nkrumah (Worthing)

Joel-Michael Odeniran (Folkestone Invicta)

Connor Hall (Brackley Town)

Joshua Johnson (Oxford United)

Freddy Dunham (Abingdon United)

Christian N'Guessan (Dagenham & Redbridge)

Outs
Liam Dulson

Josh Popoola

Corie Andrews

Sam Barratt

Ryan Bartley

Kane Ferdinand

Will de Havilland

Luke May-Parrott

Harry Pritchard

Noah Stewart

Quaye Vine

Asher Yearwood

Potential Line up

Van Stappershoef

Welch-Hayes, Onariase, Odeniran

Mitchell-Lawson, Robinson, N'Guessan, Raguette

Coley

Umerah, Nkrumah

Squad brief: Following a superb stint in caretaker charge, Ryan Peters was awarded with the Maidenhead United job in the close season after the team were eliminated from the play offs. The long time assistant to Alan Devonshire has seen a relative turnover with several of the clubs assets such as Liam Dulson, Asher Yearwood and Josh Popoola move upwards to the National League. It looks as if Peters will continue with the side's 3-4-1-2 formation with Jordi Van Stappershoef continuing to marshall the backline in goal. The back three will look slightly different with Will de Havilland and Ryan Bartley released. New signing Joel-Michael Odeniran was incredibly impressive in Folkestone's Isthmian Premier title campaign, scoring five goals and helping to keep seventeen clean sheets at just twenty years of age. Miles Welch-Hayes, with over 100 appearances in League Two, has also returned permanently following a successful loan spell last season. Manny Onariase and long-serving Remy Clerima remain along with young academy product Josh McMenemy. At wing back, attack minded Jordan Raguette will likely get the nod down the left over Owen Cochraine, who can also deputise on the right. However, winger Jayden Mitchell-Lawson found himself in the right wing back role last season and is likely to continue there. 

With Asher Yearwood's departure, a hole has been left beside Supporters' Player of the Season Matt Robinson in the centre of midfield. Peters has aimed to fill the gap by bringing in 2024/25 ex-loanee in Joshua Johnson from Oxford United. Another new signing is Christian N'Guessan, who will likely screen the defence and is well-regarded around the division despite three years of struggle at Dagenham & Redbridge. Young midfielder Jaydn Dundas is another option in the middle of the park although don't see surprised to see Remy Clerima move into defensive midfield if the Magpies are short. Further forward, expect Josh Coley to line up in a more fluid position within the front three. The 28-year-old returns to York Road five years after securing his move into the Football League. 

Up front, Peters has assembled a group of options ready to play in a front two. Top goalscorer from last season Josh Umerah will hope to surpass the sixteen goals scored in his debut year at the club whilst Alfie Pendlebury, signed in February last season from step three Hanwell Town, will hope for a better return than his one goal from fourteen appearances. The Magpies have also permanently signed the much loaned Daniel Nkrumah with the 22-year-old showing promising signs in a campaign that just saw him gain experience at Wealdstone, Worthing and Hampton & Richmond. Another clever acquisition is that of Connor Hall, who has tended to find himself a little out of his depth in the National League but whose record speaks for itself in the National League North with 61 goals from just over 150 games. Peters has also taken a punt on 18-year-old Freddy Dunham fresh from scoring a magnificent thirty-five goals with Abingdon United at step five last season. 

Manager: After the departure of successful veteran manager Alan Devonshire, his apprentice Ryan Peters has stepped up to take the managerial post at Maidenhead. Peters played the bulk of his career at non-league level with multiple seasons at Margate, Braintree, where he won the National League South, and Maidenhead, where he played for three seasons before announcing his retirement in 2018 aged just 31. However whilst playing, Peters was gaining in coaching experience with his first club Brentford by working in the club's Community Sports Trust before coaching the women's side. In his final seasons performing at Maidenhead, he took a role as player/coach which was upgraded to Assistant Manager to Alan Devonshire upon his retirement. Together, the duo avoided relegation from the National League for seven seasons before the Magpies eventually succumbed in the 2024/25 campaign. Midway through the club's first campaign in the National League South, Devonshire resigned with the team hovering around mid-table. Peters was made caretaker manager and Maidenhead's form improved markedly enough for them to earn a play off spot on the final day of the season. Despite not progressing any further in the knock outs, Peters was awarded with a permanent contract as first team manager for the 2026/27 campaign as the side aim to promote back to the National League. 

MVP: Matt Robinson

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Josh Umerah

Overall Thoughts: 2026 marks the first time in over a decade that Maidenhead United have not begun a season with Alan Devonshire in charge. Nevertheless, it feels as if the club is in safe hands with Ryan Peters in charge. The 38-year-old took more points than any other manager during his 28 games in charge with title winning form during the 2nd half of the season. Even so, Peters has had to navigate a summer where he has lost some of the division's best players with Josh Popoola and Liam Dulson in particular tough acts to follow. The signings of Josh Coley. Connor Hall and Daniel Nkrumah all feel safe choices though to aid Josh Umerah with the side's goal tally. It was the defence though which was the bedrock of the Magpies' success last season. Only 41 goals conceded all season was comfortably the best in the division with eighteen clean sheets - twelve of which arrived in Peters' twenty-eight games. Notoriously a physical side, the Magpies signings this summer certainly do not diminish from that and it will be no surprise if Maidenhead are once again solid if unspectacular throughout the season. 

Prediction: Similar to last season, expect Maidenhead to be a side that quietly go about their business and regularly put points on the board. As a result, they are bound to be regular fixtures in the top half of the table leaving them with a good opportunity of earning a play off spot. But the squad perhaps just lack enough game changers for Peters' men to push further into title contention. 

Maidstone United

Last season

National League South: 8th

Top Goalscorer: John Gilbert (10)

Ins

Tom Leahy (Tonbridge Angels)

Ken Charles (TNS)

Ryan Hanson (Dover) 

Jayden Davis (Eastbourne Borough)

Alfie Tuck (QPR)

Dermi Lusala (Dagenham & Redbridge)

Leone Gravita (York)

Frankie Hvid (NK Custosiya)

Nana Boateng (Sutton United)

Outs
John Gilbert

Christie Pattisson

David Agbontohoma

David Sesay

Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong

Jamie Yila

Lexus Beeden

Malachi Mbogba

Muhammadu Faal

Nathan Harness

Ruben Carvalho 

Sam Corne

Jephte Tanga

Hamzad Kargbo

TJ Bramble

Potential Line up

Holden

Lusala, Fowler, Foran Hamblin

Tuck, Hanson

Davis, Court, Gravita

Charles

Squad brief: Always seemingly a permanent fixture in the top half of the table, Maidstone United rarely form part of the promotion conversation but tend to find themselves in the reckoning at the business end. Former manager George Elokobi announced his departure in advance of the season finishing, enabling his assistant Craig Fagan to take charge after the Stones narrowly missed out on the play offs by goal difference. A fair few of the names regularly associated with the club have departed, including goalkeeper Nathan Harness meaning 20-year-old Lenny Holden looks set to start the season as the club's number one after starting the final ten games of the previous campaign. In defence, the likes of Lexus Beeden and David Agbontohoma have departed meaning George Fowler should continue at centre back like he did for much of last season. The ex-Aldershot man will likely continue next to former Bromley defender Taylor Foran, who recently had an impressive first season with the Stones. Right back should see new arrival Dermi Lusala get the nod after a solid season with Dagenham & Redbridge whilst 23-year-old Leo Hamblin, now with over 130 appearances in the National League South, will start the season as one of the most highly rated left backs in the division. 

The Stones midfield will look somewhat different this season however as two of the side's best performers transferred up to the National League. With Player of the Season TJ Bramble and ball player John Gilbert no more, Fagan has picked Dover's pocket for the impressive Ryan Hanson whilst technically strong Alfie Tuck joins permanently from QPR after strong reviews whilst on loan at Farnborough and Hampton & Richmond last season. The jewel in Maidstone's crown however is 20-year-old Riley Court. Potentially the best midfielder in the division, Court will likely be deployed slightly ahead of the midfield two and is a superb technician as well as incredibly hard working. 

Out wide, the Stones have looked to change up their personnel. New signing Jayden Davis will hope for a more stable season after spending time at strugglers Eastbourne Borough and Kings Lynn Town. He will likely compete for a position on the right with former Sutton man Nana Boateng, who has never fully been able to settle at any club he has been at despite his obvious talent. On the left, Leone Gravata joins off the back of a fine season for Horsham and his versatility down that side will prove helpful for Fagan. Up front, the Stones get a second go at better recruitment following some poor signings last summer that did not last long (Deon Moore aside). Ken Charles could be an interesting find with roughly a one in four step two strike record. The 25-year-old returns to English football after a year with TNS in Wales. Former loanee Tom Leahy also signs, this time permanently, after a season away where he managed to scored ten times in just twenty nine appearances for Tonbridge Angels. All being said, could this be the big breakout season for 18-year-old Mark Boruk after gaining some experience out on loan at Herne Bay and Bearsted recently. 

Manager: Similar to his predecessor George Elokobi, Maidstone's new manager Craig Fagan had a playing career that saw him play in the Premier League across multiple seasons. Hull and Derby County saw the best of the winger around the end of the noughties before time was called on his playing career in 2015. Fagan immediately went into coaching and led Southend U16s for two years before leaving to perform the same role at Hull City. In 2019, Fagan found himself promoted to coaching the U23 squad at the Tigers before a return to Southend to manage their U23 team. This also saw the 43-year-old rise to become Assistant Manager under Phil Brown but the duo were sacked in October 2021. A short spell helping to save Welling United's National League South status as Assistant Manager followed in 2022 before Fagan joined Maidstone United in 2023, initially as interim Assistant Manager. However, this was made permanent just a few months later as the Stones enjoyed numerous play off campaigns under Elokobi and Fagan's stewardship. With Elokobi stepping down at the end of the 2025/26 season, this opened the door for Fagan to take the reigns as manager for the first time in his career. 

MVP: Riley Court

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Ken Charles

Overall Thoughts: Since relegating back to the National League South four seasons ago, Maidstone have always reliably been in a fight for the play offs. Despite not always signing the most eye-catching of names, a Stones team under George Elokobi would always work incredibly hard and often gain results by being effective, even if it was not always pretty on the eye. Pre-season under Craig Fagan has seen some tweaks where it appears the side are playing a much more attractive brand of football. The Stones' squad as a result looks to have a clear focus of quality over quantity. At the time of publishing, Maidstone have one of the smaller groups in the division but history would tell that numerous trialists will be added in the days before the season begins. Nevertheless, a lack of depth is one reason why it is hard to predict the Stones for too high a finish at present. Most importantly, Fagan appears to have recruited more firepower up front, which should reduce the goal-scoring burden that befell others last season. With a competent back four and seasoned names throughout the squad - including one utter gem in Riley Court - Maidstone will most likely be in that play off hunt once again. 

Prediction: For three seasons, the Stones have built their success off work ethic and grittiness. Whilst Craig Fagan will want to retain them principles, he has moved to a more ambitious style of football. Will this give Maidstone a new higher ceiling to attain to? A play off battle is the safest bet, but it will be interesting to see if a different approach enables the club to contend alongside the heavy hitters of the division. 

Truro City

Last season

National League Premier: 24th

Top Goalscorer: Luke Jephcott (7)

Ins

Harvey Greenslade (Bristol Rovers)

Tom Tweedy (Burnley)

Outs
Sam Sanders

Rekeil Pyke

Saikou Janneh

Harry Charsley

Potential Line up

Stone

Bell, Harrison, Donnellan, Riley-Lowe

Kite

Jephcott, Starkie, Hasini, Tweedy

Harvey

Squad brief: Following 

Manager: John Askey's accomplishments in charge of Macclesfield Town will forever live in the memory at National League level. With barely a penny to spend, Askey led the club to the National League title in 2018. With the club's financial problems worsening though, Askey moved to Shrewsbury Town at the end of that season. Yet, this rebuilding job proved too much too soon as Askey only lasted a number of months before being sacked. Soon after, Port Vale, who were in relegation trouble, hired Askey and he repaid them by steering them to safety before launching a play off challenge the following season. After leaving Vale following a difficult post-COVID season, Askey returned to Macclesfield as a mentor before taking over from Steve Watson at York where he led the Minstermen to promotion in 2021/22. However, the 61-year-old left midway through last season after disagreements with the York Chairman. It didn't take long for Askey to return to management as February 2023 saw him appointed as the new Hartlepool manager. Despite an eight game unbeaten run consisting mostly of draws, it wasn't enough to keep the club in the Football League as Hartlepool were narrowly relegated by 3 points. In December of the same year, Askey was sacked with the club lingering 17th in the National League. A geographical switch beckoned in the summer of 2024 as a move to Cornwall saw Askey take the hotseat at Truro City. Stunningly, history was made as the Tinners won the National League South ahead of rivals Torquay by a single point. Askey could not beat the odds last season however as Truro were relegated at the first time of asking; nevertheless he remains as manager hoping to concoct another unbelievable title charge this coming campaign.

MVP: Luke Jephcott

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Tyler Harvey

Overall Thoughts: A solid

Prediction: Hornchurch 

Weston Super Mare AFC

Last season

National League South: 6th 

Top Goalscorer: Louis Britton (19)

Ins

Ollie Hulbert (Barry Town)

Brad Ash (Bath City)

Liam Sercombe (Forest Green Rovers)

Archie Taylor (Bristol City)

Will Jenkins-Davis (Bath City)

Outs
Brandon Bak

Oli Jenkins

Luke Spokes

Dom Bernard

Ollie Chamberlain

Jake Hicks

Potential Line up

Harris

Smith, Avery, Pope, Martin

Sercombe, Kane

Dawes, Coulson, Ash

Britton

Squad brief: 2025/26 was an unprecedented success for Weston Super Mare with their highest ever finish of 6th and a first ever National League South play off campaign. Manager Scott Rogers, who made the jump from assistant to manager in October, saw the squad over the line and will be aiming for a repeat performance. Goalkeeper Max Harris played every minute of every game last season and only conceded 48 goals in the league. He was helped significantly by the rock solid duo of Emlyn Lewis and Sam Avery at centre back although Lewis sadly suffered a ruptured ACL during pre-season meaning that Jason Pope or young Archie Taylor - signed from Bristol City - will look to form a consistent partnership with Manager's Player of the Year Avery for the campaign. At right back, 37-year-old former Northern Ireland international Michael Smith shows no signs of slowing down whilst Dan Martin and Callum Wood will likely battle it out for the left back role. 

In the middle of the park, the impressive Jacob Jagger Cane will surely line up in front of the back four. Long-term midfield partner James Dodd is hoping to return several months into the season following a bad injury back in November but in the meantime, it is likely that the highly experienced Liam Sercombe will take his spot. The 36-year-old signs from Forest Green Rovers after a steady campaign although in his prime, Sercombe was a regular at League One and Two level with the likes of Cheltenham, Bristol Rovers and Exeter City. Young Callum Hewlett and Josh Salmon will both hope to be involved more as the season progresses too. Slightly further forward, new signing Will Jenkins-Davies will hope to feature predominately behind the striker after transferring from Bath City following an injury hit campaign where he still managed seven goals in twenty-one games. 

The club's attacking unit will certainly include the pivotal Luke Coulson. Aged 32 now, the winger can also feature behind the striker, if necessary, but has made his name largely cutting in from the left side. It may be though that this is where new signing Brad Ash features. The striker's output has dipped in recent times and with the likes of Barry Town's Ollie Hulbert arriving and Louis Britton hitting nineteen goals last season, it would not be a surprise to see Ash wide in a front three. Young George Robeston will also be hoping to increase his game time from the wing after arriving from Ross County in January whilst Will Dawes will expect to start from the right with the aim of continuing to rack up the assists. 

Manager: Following Scott Bartlett's departure near the beginning of last season, his assistant Scott Rogers took on the role of Weston Super Mare manager. Rogers' playing career took place largely around the south west with stints at Eastleigh, Taunton Town and Weymouth to name a few. His career wound down playing for Willand Rovers, where eventually he combined playing responsibilities with managing the club. In 2019, Rogers joined Tiverton Town, where he had played earlier in his career, as Assistant Manager. He eventually became joint manager there with fellow family member Martyn Rogers. However, in 2023, the 47-year-old joined the aforementioned Bartlett at the Seagulls where he acted as his assistant for two full seasons. Following Bartlett's departure, Rogers managed to lead Weston Super Mare into the play offs where they reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual winners Hornchurch. 

MVP: Luke Coulson

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Louis Britton

Overall Thoughts: Always under the radar, Weston Super Mare have developed a reputation for being a very well run club that now regularly compete in the top half of the National League South. Scott Rogers did very well to steer the club to a play off spot but it must be mentioned that the foundation was firmly laid in place by former manager Scott Bartlett. It was the stunning start of last season where Bartlett took 22 points from the first nine games, before being poached by Eastleigh, that set Weston on the path to success. By comparison, Rogers' 56 points from the remaining thirty-seven games was more akin to upper mid-table form. This season, the squad looks tight but perhaps fragile if injuries occur. Liam Sercombe is an excellent operator and should be part of one of the best midfield combinations with Jacob Jagger-Cane. Ollie Hulbert has a wealth of experience aged just twenty-three and could well end up leading the line if star striker Louis Britton makes an upward move at any point during the season. Nevertheless, Emlyn Lewis' likely season ending injury provides a hole in the defence that will be difficult to fill. All in all, Weston Super Mare look a competent outfit once again but will be reliant once again on supplementing their squad with quality young players from the South West coast in order to compete with the big boys of the division. 

Prediction: With a squad full of experienced operators at this level, Weston Super Mare are a tough team to beat with their hard working, possession based style. You would once again expect the club to be a fixture in the top half and pushing for a play off spot. But Rogers will have to improve his points per game with the side to make a play off spot a reality this coming season. 

Title chasers (1st - 5th)

Chelmsford City

Last season

National League South: 10th

Top Goalscorer: Lyle Taylor (20)

Ins

Adam Hayton (Bishops Stortford)

Leo Sery (St Albans)

Rhys Browne (Barnet)

Nathan Ralph (Southend United)

Chay Cooper (Braintree Town)

Cav Miley (Southend United)

Jack Bridge (Southend United)

Denzelle Olopade (Dartford)

Kamani McFarlane (Herne Bay)

Louis Dunne (Maldon & Tiptree)

Outs
Dominic Odusanya

Jesurun Uchegbulam

Louie Kudiabor

Archie Tamplin

Jett Murphy

Charlee Adams

Paul Appiah

Mandela Egbo

Taylor Clark

Tom Lapslie

Jason Adigun

Potential Line up

Hayton

Ronan, Grimwood, Ralph, Barbrook

Miley, Olopade

Browne, Bridge

Sery, Taylor

Squad brief: With

Manager: Following a near twenty year playing career, Mark Cooper moved into a player/manager role at Tamworth in 2004 where he made a name for himself by reaching the third round of the FA Cup in consecutive seasons. Nevertheless, he left the club in 2007 following poor league form yet repeated his FA Cup trick for new club Kettering in 2009 with the club reaching the 4th round on this occasion. With his exploits noticed, he soon became manager of then Championship side Peterborough, yet his tenure only last for 13 matches before he was sacked. Since then, Cooper's managerial career has yo-yoed  somewhat with short spells at Darlington, AFC Telford and Swindon - where he made the League One Play Off final. A further spell at Forest Green Rovers was to be his longest in charge of a club to date and one of his most successful after the club were promoted from the National League under his stewardship. An unsuccessful spell at Barrow followed before Cooper took charge at Yeovil in October 2022. Despite being unable to keep the club in the National League, the 57-year-old led them to the National League South title at the first time of asking. However, it eventually turned sour at the Glovers amidst ownership changes and Cooper departed shortly into the 2025/26 campaign. This summer, as new Chelmsford City manager, Cooper will aim to become a three time title winner at step two. 

MVP: Cav Miley

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Lyle Taylor

Overall Thoughts: Chelmsford 

Prediction: On paper, 

Dorking Wanderers

Last season

National League South: 4th

Top Goalscorer: Charlie Carter (11)

Ins

George Nikaj (Dover)

Glenn Morris (Gillingham)

Josh Barrett (Aldershot Town)

Charlie Sayers (Hampton & Richmond)

Jack Wood (Walton & Hersham)

Isaac Philpot (Horsham)

Outs
Harrison Foulkes

Jordan Norville-Williams

Niall McManus

Jason Prior

Charlie Carter

George Knight

Jack Saunders

Louie Sullivan

Hayden Gale

Tony Craig

Luke Moore

Potential Line up

Morris

Camp, Philpot, Sayers

Muitt, Pybus, Pinchard, Lewis

Barrett

Nikaj, Rutherford

Squad brief: Leading 

Manager: Marc White is never short of an opinion or two making him one of the more unconventional characters in non-league. White is the owner and chairman of Dorking Wanderers alongside being the longest serving manager in the division. Having bankrolled the club for the past 20 years, the former player turned manager led the club to 12 promotions in 23 years from the Crawley & District league to the National League itself. The 2022/23 season saw White lead the club to survival in their debut season at Step 1 despite 91 goals being conceded. However, they were unable to repeat the trick the following year with a 23rd place finish and relegation back to the National League South. Embroiled in a title battle all season, Dorking eventually finished 6th - although only three points from the title. A play off quarter final against fellow recent National League side Boreham Wood saw the Wanderers 3-1 up with nine minutes remaining, only to lose 4-3 after added time. Another disappointing setback for White occurred last season with Dorking at the top of the table with just a few games to go but injuries and a loss of form saw the Wanderers lose the lead and miss out in the play offs once again. 

MVP: Josh Barrett

Top Goalscorer Prediction: George Nikaj

Overall Thoughts: Amongst 

Prediction: It 

Ebbsfleet United

Last season

National League South: 9th 

Top Goalscorer: Dominic Samuel (16)

Ins

Daniel Ogunleye (Brentwood Town)

Camron Gbadebo (Salisbury)

Aramide Oteh (Dagenham & Redbridge)

Harvey Walker (Slough Town)

Olly Box (Dartford)

James Vennings (Braintree Town)

Will Buse (Salisbury)

Will Tizzard (Sutton United)

Jake Vokins (Eastleigh)

Outs
Elijah Anthony

Aaron Cosgrave

Ben Coker

Josh Coley

Max Ehmer

Ryan Sandford

Tom Dallison

George Moncur 

Jamie Fielding

Mustapha Olagunju

Potential Line up

Buse

Tizzard, Gbadebo, Nelson, 

Seaman, Box, Vennings, Vokins

Edser

Samuel, Appiah

Squad brief: Despite

Manager: After fully being thrown into the deep end last season, the 2025/26 campaign represents the first full pre-season for Josh Wright as a manager. The 35-year-old boasts an impressive playing career that saw him play frequently in the Championship for Scunthorpe and Millwall before notable spells for Leyton Orient, Southend, Bradford and Gillingham in League One. A return to Leyton Orient towards the back end of his career occurred in League Two before the former central midfielder dropped into the non-league, first with Billericay Town and after with Ebbsfleet. Wright helped Ebbsfleet to win the National League South and was ever present as the club secured survival during their first season back at National League level. Nevertheless, with the Fleet rooted to the bottom of the division during the 2024/25 campaign, Wright swapped his boots for the manager's hotseat. Although he was unable to perform a miracle and avoid relegation, Wright oversaw a number of improved displays and expectations were high going into the 2025/26 season. However, Ebbsfleet struggled for consistency and narrowly missed out on a play off position by goal difference. 

MVP: Toby Edser

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Dominic Samuel

Overall Thoughts: Make 

Prediction: Ebbsfleet  

Torquay United

Last season

National League South: 3rd

Top Goalscorer: Jordan Young (16)

Ins

Callum Morton (Worthing)

Zak Baker (Plymouth Argyle)

Sean Robertson (Cliftonville)

Isaac Westendorf (Oxford City)

Tyler Hill (Spennymoor Town)

Dom Bernard (Weston Super Mare)

Kian Jenkins (Briton Ferry Llansawel)

Toby Savin (Wigan Athletic)

Jake Wannell (Yeovil Town)

Outs
James Hamon

Callum Dolan

Matt Wonnacott

Matt Carson

Aidan Edwards

Ed Palmer

Jay Foulston

Sonny Fish

Potential Line up

Savin

Bernard, Wannell, Dreyer, Hill

Worthington, Hayfield

Young, Lo-Everton, Morgan

Morton

Squad brief: After play off heartbreak last season, Torquay United enter this campaign as most people's favourites for the title having gone close the past two years. Manager Jimmy Ball has made some minor tweaks around the edges of his squad and importantly has held on to the club's assets ahead of the latest promotion bid. Goalkeeper James Hamon is one who did depart but he has been replaced by Toby Savin - a 25-year-old with over one hundred appearances at League One level. In front of him, the centre back pairing of Jordan Dyer and Sam Dreyer has quite possibly been the best in the division over the past few seasons. However, it may be broken apart this summer with the signing of experienced former Yeovil Town captain Jake Wannell, who made forty appearances in the National League just recently. The full back areas have seen some amendments with Dom Bernard, a player Ball managed at Forest Green Rovers, coming in from Weston Super Mare to add competition to Jordan Thomas at right back. On the opposite flank, young Kian Jenkins has been a regular starter in the Welsh top flight for the past two years although initially Ball may choose to start with fellow new signing Tyler Hill who had an excellent season for Spennymoor Town in the National League North. 

Midfield is where you really see the Gulls start to flex their muscles with a host of personnel containing National League pedigree and higher. Captain Matt Worthington spent six seasons recently as a regular starter at National League Yeovil Town whilst Munashe Sundire was a key part of Tamworth's midfield during their debut season in the league above. Most recent Player of the Season Sonny Blu Lo-Everton is also a key man who can operate deeper and further forward whilst Dan Hayfield is as reliable a performer in the engine room as you can get at this level. Former Colchester attacking midfielder Matt Jay will also be hoping to nail down a starting spot after finding himself a victim of rotation during his first year in a Torquay shirt. 

Within the front four, Jordan Young and Dylan Morgan will be hard to displace from the flanks after scoring eighteen and thirteen goals respectively last season. Veteran Louis Dennis provides a versatile option anywhere in the attack and managed to score fifteen times himself last season, often as a makeshift centre forward. Deon Moore took this spot during the final stages of the campaign after signing in March and hit a real purple patch by scoring eight times in just five matches. With Cody Cooke now available too after an injury hit season, the Gulls already have significant firepower but Ball has added further to it with the arrival of dynamic right winger Sean Robertson from Cliftonville and strikers Callum Morton and Isaac Westendorf. Morton has struggled to find regular football in recent years and comes off the back of a short loan at recent champions Worthing. Wildcard Westendorf struggled, along with the team at Oxford City last year, but is a dynamic runner with the ball at his feet and may flourish alongside more accomplished players. 

Manager: Son of former 1966 World Cup winner Alan Ball, Jimmy Ball took charge at Torquay United with just eight games to go last season. After various coaching spells at different academies, Ball received his first opportunity at Forest Green Rovers in 2021 following the sacking of Mark Cooper. Stepping up temporarily from the U18 side, Ball led Rovers into the League Two play offs which they exited in the semi finals after a narrow 5-4 aggregate defeat to Newport County. Ball was not made permanent manager and left the club shortly afterwards before taking up the AFC Totton job in March 2022. Shortly after, AFC Totton were crowned Southern League Division One champions and gained promotion to step three. The 2023/24 season saw AFC Totton finish 2nd in the Southern League but a heartbreaking penalty shoot out defeat to Salisbury City in the play off final halted a second successive promotion. Nevertheless, the 49-year-old was not to be denied again last season with promotion secured following victory over Gloucester City in the most recent play off final. Ball's debut season in the National League South was an eventful one as he led the Stags to a comfortable mid-table position before Torquay United came calling. Ball managed to lead an ailing Gulls side into the play offs, where they lost a very close final to Hornchurch. 

MVP: Sam Dreyer

Top Goalscorer Prediction: Deon Moore

Overall Thoughts: With Torquay sitting pretty on top of the table at the beginning of February, they really should have won the division but form completely deserted them under Paul Wotton. Jimmy Ball's arrival after seven games without a win signaled a renaissance and they were just minutes away from promotion in the play off final before Hornchurch struck a late leveler in injury time. Ultimately, the general performance over the course of the season was not fully up to scratch considering the resources the Gulls possess, even with a number of ill-timed injuries occurring. With Cody Cooke one who was struggling for fitness and Sonny Fish finding life difficult in front of goal, it often to fell to Louis Dennis to deputise and Torquay really missed an effective central striker until Deon Moore's arrival. Ball has looked to fix that this summer with a variety of different forward options arriving. The manager will also want the side to be far tighter as well after twenty more goals were conceded from the campaign before to the most recent. Ten away defeats will also be a concern and Ball's first job will be to ensure that this Torquay side, for all its talent, is resilient enough to go all the way this time out. 

Prediction: Despite a below par campaign, Torquay still ended up on 84 points last season and managed 89 in the one before. They are not far away from success and just need some subtle tweaks to get over the line. Jimmy Ball is a proven promotion winner and has taken to the pressure of the Gulls' hotseat like a duck to water. With a squad packed with quality operators, Torquay United will be firmly in the mix and they are my pick to break the 90 point barrier and win the title this year. 

The one that everybody gets wrong

1) Torquay United

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2) Chelmsford City

3) Dorking Wanderers

4) Ebbsfleet United

5) Maidstone FC

6) Dagenham & Redbridge

7) Maidenhead United

--------------------------------

8) Truro City

9) Folkestone Invicta

10) Billericay Town

11) Weston Super Mare 

12) Farnham Town

13) Tonbridge Angels

14) Hemel Hempstead Town

15) Hampton & Richmond Borough

16) Farnborough Town

17) Chesham United

18) AFC Totton

19) Horsham FC

20) Salisbury FC

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21) Braintree Town

22) Walton & Hersham FC

23) Slough Town

24) Dover FC

Play Off Winners Prediction:

Highest Goalscorers Prediction: 

Lowest Conceded Goals Prediction: 

Top Goalscorer Prediction:

1) Lyle Taylor

2) Tyler Harvey

3) George Nikaj