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Joe Uglow – @joe_ugs

With the start to the season just around the corner, Joe takes a look at how our main rivals for promotion are shaping up ahead of the new season.

Dagenham & Redbridge

A big summer of change for the Daggers saw Lee Allinson leave Hemel Hempstead to head to Victoria Road, and he wasted no time at all building his squad, bringing in 11 players before pre-season even began.

Notable signings include our old foe Nathan Ashmore, The vastly experienced Harry Beautyman, and 19 goal man Noah Coppin from Salisbury. Allinson’s not done just yet either as he this week announced the signing of Charles Clayden who was on trial, Clayden was another thorn in our side for Boreham Wood the season before last.

With the financial muscle they’ve shown over the summer, combined with Lee Allinson’s track record of over achieving at his previous clubs, the Daggers surely go into the season as title favourites. Our trip to Victoria Road on August 22nd looks to be an exciting early yard stick for our promotion ambitions.

One to watch: Harry Beautyman
Probably the statement signing for Daggers this summer. Beautyman’s played a lot of football at the level above and had offers to stay at Woking and from other National League clubs. Having captained Woking last season he brings leadership & know-how as well as his undoubted footballing ability, operating in behind the strikers.

Prediction: 1st

Chelmsford City

After under achieving last season, which ultimately cost Angelo Harrop his job, Chelmsford look to really be going for it again this season. They’ve brought in Mark Cooper -who despite pissing off half of the Yeovil squad- has won promotion from this level, they’ve retained 28 goal man Lyle Taylor, and brought in some real quality that have played the level above in Cav Miley, Jack Bridge & Nathan Ralph, who have all joined from Southend.

Bringing in that trio from Southend could be a masterstroke as they will all have an understanding of how each other plays, much like when we brought in the Bath City trio of Dyer, Hayfield & Cooke. I fully expect Chelmsford to be in and around the Play off’s this season, and of course on the last day of the season we will be visiting their athletics ground, pack your binoculars!

One to watch: Rhys Browne
The summer signing from Barnet was arguably their biggest statement signing. The 30 year old boasts two National League titles with Sutton & Barnet and can play anywhere across the front line.

Prediction: 3rd

Dorking Wanderers

Marc White’s side are always in the mix and this season will be no different. Readers won’t be surprised to hear they’ve had their fair share of injury worries this pre season, but having overhauled their backroom fitness & conditioning staff this summer White will be hoping this will soon be a thing of the past.

Unlike Dagenham & Chelmsford, Dorking have been a little quieter this summer, but they have brought in some quality in key areas, mainly due to departures of players like Goalkeeper Harrison Foulkes, Full back Jordan Norville-Williams and captain Charlie Carter.

Goalkeeper Glenn Morris arrived from Gillingham, boasting over 460 appearances in the EFL, George Nikaj has been added to lead the line from Dover, Charlie Sayers, an impressive defender from Hampton & Richmond & Ex-Gull Jack Wood has signed after an impressive season at the step below for Walton & Hersham. Perhaps the biggest statement signing has been that of Josh Barrett, who heads to Meadowbank after leaving Aldershot town.

One to watch: Josh Barrett
The rather portly No.10 undoubtedly has talent, and 23 goals in 81 appearances at the level above backs that up.
Despite not looking like he’ll be running any marathons any time soon, there won’t be many technically better at this level than Barrett. Give him space outside the penalty area then you will be made to pay.

Prediction: 4th

Ebbsfleet

Like Chelmsford, Ebbsfleet had a pretty underwhelming season, failing to make it into the play-offs. Josh Wright can probably count himself lucky he’s still in a job given that he’s now resided over two seasons where they were relegated, and then failed to make the play offs last season in a league where they must surely have a top 3 budget.

Strangely they haven’t made wholesale changes on the playing front either, so it’s difficult to see whether they will be much improved this term.

They’ve brought in a half decent keeper at this level in Will Buse, who was very busy at Salisbury and managed to earn himself plenty of plaudits, as well as Will Tizzard who spent the back end of last season on loan here at Plainmoor. Whilst he was solid enough you’d struggle to make an argument for him starting ahead of any of our three centre halves, which leaves me thinking the Fleet’s business has been a little underwhelming.

One to watch: Harvey Walker
A summer signing from Slough Town where he picked up their Player of the Season award. The 24 year old winger was a standout performer for Scott Davies’ Slough side and a move to one of the bigger sides in the league seems the next natural progression in his career.

Prediction: 6th

Truro City

Again, a team that have done very little business this summer, but they have retained the core of the side that all got handed full time contracts at the start of last season. They boast some quality in midfield in Harry Kite, and Gulls fans will be familiar with Lirak Hasani from when he was at Plainmoor two seasons ago.
Keeping the core of the side that won promotion two seasons ago could be a masterstroke, however they struggled last season after Jeze Kabia departed the Cornish side before a ball was kicked and just as winning becomes a habit, so does losing, and they did plenty of that last season, spending the whole season in the relegation zone.

They’ve signed only two players this summer; Harvey Greenslade & Tom Tweedy, the latter coming to the club with pretty poor reviews from Darlington fans.

One to watch: Harvey Greenslade
The summer signing from Yeovil previously played for Truro under Paul Wotton and has also had a loan spell at Weston-Super-Mare whilst out of favour at Yeovil. He’s been linked with Torquay a few times too, especially in Paul Wotton’s tenure, but now 22 and on a relatively goal shy run it’s about time he settled down somewhere and hit the ground running. He’ll have to do plenty of Tyler Harvey’s running anyway!

Prediction: 9th

Braintree Town

Hit by a transfer embargo this summer, Braintree’s business has reflected that. They’ve brought in Courtney Senior who has EFL experience, however seems to be very much on a downwards trajectory in his career as well as a handful of young pro’s who aren’t exactly household names. This could be about to change though as their transfer embargo is set to be lifting owing to the £175k the club pocketed due to centre back Tommy Smith’s appearances at the World Cup for New Zealand and a very handy £375k sell on clause from the sale of Kyrell Lisbie to Millwall from Peterborough.

It’s likely given the financial constraints that Braintree will more likely be fighting it out in the bottom half than the top half.

One to watch: Courtney Senior
A winger with 150 league appearances under his belt, if Braintree are to do anything this season they’ll be looking to Senior to have a big season.

Prediction: 15th

Farnham Town

A theme of the NLS is that there’s always a promoted side that fares pretty well and I think Farnham Town probably have the best chance of all the promoted sides.
Farnham are backed well by Harry Hugo, who shares some really interesting insights on social media around the revenue streams that support the club, and have enjoyed a meteoric rise through the leagues under his stewardship.

They’ve made some solid signings this summer, attracting Sam Hutchinson to sign from Wimbledon, who boasts over 300 appearances in the EFL. He’s 36 so definitely getting to the end of his career but the experience and leadership he’ll bring will be invaluable. They’ve also added Aaron Kuhl and Keane Anderson into their midfielder, however the latter suffered an ACL injury this summer, so is unlikely to play any part this season. Trae Cooke-Appiah & Rakish Bingham provide the firepower and if they can form a partnership don’t be surprised if Farnham sneak into that last Play-off position.

One to watch: Billy Clifford
Joining late last season Clifford helped to get Farnham over the line, scoring a 30 minute hat trick in the Play-off final, giving him a third career promotion, following promotions with Wealdstone & Barnet. At 33 he’s another who brings experience to the side but certainly has a season or two left in him, he’ll be pivotal to how well Farnham do this season.

Prediction: 7th

Maidstone United

After the departure of George Elokobi, it’ll be interesting to see how his former no.2 Craig Fagan fares in the managerial role. Perhaps his best bit of recruitment is the addition of former Dorking Assistant Rob Tuvey, who has an excellent coaching pedigree, and was a key member of Marc White’s ever growing backroom staff.
Their business has gone under the radar this summer, with no “Big name” signings but they have added former Gull Ryan Hanson, which probably shows their budget is slightly reduced these days. Fagan has targeted young and hungry players this summer with the likes of Dermi Lusala, Ken Charles & Jayden Davis arriving at the Gallagher Stadium.

One to watch: Leone Gravata
Enjoyed an impressive season for Horsham last season and scored the winner when we visited the Lard Army. A pacy and direct winger, Gravata will cause a lot of problems this season.

Prediction: 5th

Maidenhead

Tough summer for Maidenhead, losing a number of key players such as Liam Dulson, Josh Popoola & Nathan Ferguson. Josh Coley has returned, who enjoyed a very fruitful time there a few seasons back, but you’d probably say his best football is behind him, other than that their business has been unremarkable at best. They sneaked into the play-offs last season and capitulated away at Dorking, and you’d probably struggle to back them even matching that this season.

One to watch: Jayden Mitchell-Lawson
With several experienced players departing York Road this summer, Jayden Mitchell-Lawson looks set to become one of Maidenhead United’s key attackers. The former Derby County, Swindon Town and Ayr United winger possesses blistering pace, direct running and the ability to beat defenders one-on-one apparently!

Prediction: 10th

Weston-Super-Mare

Weston’s business hasn’t been bad this summer, adding Liam Sercombe, Ollie Hulbert, Will Jenkins-Davies & Brad Ash but it’s not standing out amongst the top 7. Losing Captain Emlyn Lewis to an ACL injury which will rule him out for the whole season is a massive blow, as he has been pretty much ever present for the last couple of years. They will be big shoes to fill, and their success this season could depend on who they bring in to replace him.

One to watch: Ollie Hulbert
Weston have had a lot of success in the past picking up players from the Welsh league, and their summer signing from Barry Town could prove a master stroke. 51 goals in 107 appearances in the Welsh Premier League shows his eye for goal and the Seagulls will be hoping that Hulbert can keep up that goal every other game record to take some of the responsibility off of the shoulders of the prolific Louis Britton.

Prediction: 8th