SEASON PREVIEW
Steve Harris – @steveharris84
Steve looks at the Gulls’ NLS opponents for 24/25
NLS 24/25
Aveley
After emerging as the division’s surprise package last season, making the play-offs in their very first season at this level, Aveley will face a big challenge to keep hold of manager Danny Scopes if they continue to impress.
Manager: Danny Scopes
Star signing: Nathan Carlyle
Last season’s league finish: 7th in National League South
Bath City
Despite losing a number of players in the close season, including Jordan Dyer, Dan Hayfield and Cody Cooke to United, manager Jerry Gill has looked to rebuild and the signing of former Exeter City and Cheltenham Town midfielder Jordan Tillson could prove to be an inspired one.
Manager: Jerry Gill
Star signing: Jordan Tillson
Last season’s league finish: 6th in National League South
Boreham Wood
The Luke Garrard era is over and the Ross Jenkins’s reign has just begun. Jenkins has won promotion from the NLS before with Oxford City, so expectations will be predictably high for a challenge of an immediate return.
Manager Ross Jenkins
Star signing: Gus Mafuta
Last season’s league finish: 21st in National League
Chelmsford City
There have been a summer of departures from the Melbourne Stadium, including highly rated defender Luke Jenkins. However, manager Robbie Simpson has boosted his attacking options with the signings of striker Jake Hyde and former Gulls wideman Kalvin Kalala.
Manager: Robbie Simpson
Star signing: Kalvin Kalala
Last season’s league finish: 2nd in National League South
Chesham United
In their first ever season in National League South, Chesham United would probably be happy to survive. However, the achievements of Aveley could be an inspiration for them to follow.
Manager: James Duncan/Michael Murray
Star signing: Nathan Minhas
Last season’s league finish: 1st in the Southern Premier Division South
Chippenham Town
The Bluebirds finished comfortably in mid-table last season, and will be hoping for the same again in 2024-25.
Manager: Gary Horgan
Star signing: Harry Parsons
Last season’s league finish: 12th in National League South
Dorking Wanderers
Dorking Wanderers and their owner/manager Marc White have made plenty of friends during their rise through the pyramid from parks football to the National League. Last season’s relegation was their first ever and they will certainly be looking to respond in a positive manner.
Manager: Marc White
Star signing: Rhys Murphy
Last season’s league finish: 23rd in National League
Eastbourne Borough
Former Gulls’ midfielder Adam Murray has won promotion from National League North with AFC Fylde and under his guidance Eastbourne will be looking to mount a challenge for the top seven. Murray has recruited several proven players at National League South level in the summer, including George Alexander and Alfie Pavey.
Manager: Adam Murray
Star signing: Alfie Pavey
Last season’s league finish: 19th in National League South
Enfield Town
After reforming in 2001, Enfield Town find themselves back in the National League South following their Isthmian League Play-off triumph in Gavin MacPherson’s first season as manager.
Manager: Gavin MacPherson
Star signing: Nana Owusu
Last season’s league finish: 3rd in Isthmian League Premier (promoted via the play-offs)
Farnborough
The Boro could emerge as potential ‘dark horses’ after signing a number of players who have pedigree in National League South. Former Woking left-back Josh Casey, who won promotion with the Cards in 2018-19, has arrived at Cherrywood Road and Mason Bloomfield arrives from Hampton and Richmond Borough.
Manager: Spencer Day
Star signing: Mason Bloomfield
Last season’s league finish: 8th in National League South
Hampton and Richmond Borough
Alan Julian faces a tough rebuilding job at the Beveree following the departure of his predecessor Mel Gwinnett and last season’s strike partnership of Ben Seymour and Mason Bloomfield. However, the loan signing of young goalkeeper Ted Curd from Chelsea could be an interesting one.
Manager: Alan Julian
Star signing: Ted Curd
Last season’s league finish: 9th in National League South
Hemel Hempstead Town
Manager Bobby Wilkinson took charge of Hemel Hempstead Town on the final day of last season. An experienced manager at this level from his spells with Hungerford, Wealdstone and Weymouth, Wilkinson will be aiming to write a new chapter in the Tudors’ history.
Manager: Bobby Wilkinson
Star signing: Ricardo German
Last season’s league finish: 20th in National League South
Hornchurch
After winning the Isthmian League title last season, Hornchurch would probably be happy to consolidate their newly gained status. However, with Daryl McMahon, a promotion winner at this level with Ebbsfleet, and former Boreham Wood and Dagenham and Redbridge midfielder Angelo Balanta in their side, they might have other ideas.
Manager: Daryl McMahon
Star signing: Angelo Balanta
Last season’s league finish: 1st in Isthmian League Premier
Maidstone United
Maidstone United made plenty of headlines last season with their run to the fifth round of the FA Cup, which included a 2-1 win over Ipswich Town in the fourth round. However, in the league they reached the Play-offs in what was manager George Elokobi’s first full season in charge. The Stones have the potential to be there or thereabouts again, or possibly higher, and in Aaron Blair and Shaq Coulthirst they have potentially the deadliest strike duo in the division.
Manager George Elokobi
Star signing: Shaq Coulthirst
Last season’s league finish: 4th in National League South
Salisbury FC
Another phoenix club who have won promotion back to Step 2, Salisbury FC won this division as Salisbury in the 2006-07 season, but will probably settle for a season of consolidation in 2024-25.
Manager: Brian Dutton
Star signing: Luke Wilkinson
Last season’s league finish: 3rd in Southern Premier Division South (promoted via the play-offs)
Slough Town
In Scott Davies, the Rebels have one of the most promising young managers in non-league, and repeating their tenth place finish from last season would be seen as a respectable achievement.
Manager: Scott Davies
Star signing: Henry Ochieng
Last season’s league finish: 10th in National League South
St Albans City
Manager David Noble is back at Clarence Park following a brief spell with Wealdstone. The former Bristol City midfielder will be aiming to repeat their form of the 2022-23 season, which saw them reach the National League South Play-off final, where they were beaten by Oxford City. With the
experienced Shaun Jeffers leading their forward line, there is every chance that they will be there or thereabouts.
Manager David Noble:
Star signing: Alfie Payne
Last season’s league finish: 11th in National League South
Tonbridge Angels
Tonbridge Angels followed up their highest ever finish in the National League South of ninth with a 14th place finish in 2023-24. However, the Angels will be happy with more of the same with manager Jay Saunders at the helm and experienced midfielder Scott Wagstaff as captain.
Manager: Jay Saunders
Star signing: Jeremy Santos
Last season’s league finish: 14th in National League South
Truro City
A new era beckons for Truro City as they finally get to move back home to the Truro Sports Hub after spells ground-sharing with Plymouth Parkway and Gloucester City. They also have a new manager as former Macclesfield Town, Shrewsbury Town and Port Vale boss succeeds Paul Wotton. Askey has a strong pedigree in non-league football, having won the National League with Macclesfield in 2017-18 and he led York City to the National League North Play-offs in 2022-23.
In addition to this, they also have a new nickname, as they are now known as the Tinners.
Manager: John Askey
Star signing: Dan Lavercombe
Last season’s league finish: 16th in National League South
Welling United
The appointment of Rod Stringer as manager helped to steady the ship for Welling United last season, as the Wings only lost two of their first 15 matches under his guidance.
Manager: Rod Stringer
Star signing: Dave Winfield
Last season’s league finish: 17th in National League South
Weston-super-Mare
The Seagulls finished 13th in the National League South last season in their first season after winning the Southern Premier Division South title, and finishing one place higher is their aim for this season.
Dayle Grubb and Lloyd Humphries have both departed, but manager Scott Bartlett has recruited Luke Coulson and Dylan Kadji as their replacements.
Manager: Scott Bartlett
Star signing: Luke Coulson
Last season’s league finish: 13th in National League South
Weymouth
Mark Molesley is currently embarking on his first full campaign since returning to the Bob Lucas Stadium for a second spell as manager. His previous stint proved to be hugely successful as he guided the Terras to back-to-back promotions, which saw rise from the Southern Premier Division to the National League in successive seasons. Since then he hasn’t managed to replicate that success during spells in charge of Southend United, Aldershot Town and Hayes & Yeading, not to mention a spell as director of football at Gosport Borough.
They say in life that you should never go back, but a return to familiar surroundings might benefit Molesley.
Manager: Mark Molesley
Star signing: Francis Amartey
Last season’s league finish: 15th in National League South
Worthing
A season of transition appears to be on the cards for the Rebels as leading scorer Ollie Pearce, centre midfielder Ricky Aguiar and right-back Joe Felix have all followed former manager Adam Hinshelwood to York City.
Manager: Chris Agutter
Star signing: Chris Haigh
Last season’s league finish: 3rd in National League South
COYY – Steve
GULL’S EYE VIEW – NOW ON SPOTIFY!
OTHER ARTICLES
TT GROUNDHOPPING – AFC TOTTON (A) by Clive Hayward
Clive discusses his trip to see the Gulls
Read More
TALKING POINTS REVIEW – AFC Totton (a) by Thomas Kelly
Talking Points from the game at Totton
Read More
DONATE TO TT
The TT Site now has a donations page here
Any donations much appreciated!
TT PARTNERS
TORQUAYTALK 