National League North season predictions - part 2

Where will the Silkmen finish?

This is it. The time has come. If you read part 1 of my National League North season preview yesterday, you’ll know that I have Macclesfield finishing above 13^th in the league table. For 99% of readers, that’s hardly a revelation, however what may surprise some is where I do think the Silkmen will finish in their maiden Step 2 campaign.

Since May, I’ve watched in the region of 50 NLN games having taken out a subscription on DAZN, the National League’s broadcast partner. Whilst that doesn’t make me an ‘expert’, I do feel its given me some perspective of most sides in the league, and of the players most likely to influence success and failure.

So without further ado, lets dive into part 2 of my bumper National League North season preview, where I predict which teams will finish between 1^st and 12^th place. Who are most likely to be automatic promotion contenders, which sides look destined for the play-offs and can John Rooney’s Silkmen gatecrash the top 7?

Read on to find out…

Marine – 12^th

Last season: 15^th

Key-ins: George Newell, Matthew McDonald, Bailey Marsden

Key-outs: Neil Young (manager), Chanka Zimba, Owen Robinson

Player to watch: Finlay Sinclair Smith

Marine did superbly well to finish 15^th in the NLN season after pipping Macclesfield to promotion in the Northern Premier League play-off final. The Mariners barely had time to catch their breaths before their top players were lured away – Jack Bainbridge (Chester), Freddie Sass (King’s Lynn) and Sol Soloman (Tranmere).

Like fellow promoted Radcliffe, Marine struggled badly initially, winning only 2 of their first 10 league games. But what happened from February onwards was nothing short of remarkable – the Mariners lost only 2 of their final 14 league games, 9 of them victories, including a nine-game unbeaten spell which saw them defeat Kidderminster, Spennymoor and Curzon Ashton to reach the dizzy heights of 15^th in the table.

At the end of the season, Marine were averaging a points-per-game tally of 1.87. If that was averaged out over 46 league games the Mariners would have been comfortably in the top half. They owe a huge debt of gratitude to manager Neil Young for the turnaround in their fortunes, who made them direct and extremely difficult to play against on their 4G pitch at home.

But in a surprise to those outside the club, Young has decided to step down as first-team manager to take up a Director of Football position at Marine. The club has maintained continuity by appointing veteran Marine forward Bobby Grant as new manager who can take comfort from Young as his mentor. However, as with John Rooney at the Silkmen, you never know if a newly-appointed manager is going to sink or swim. And unlike Rooney, it appears that Grant has elected to be a player-manager this season rather than hang up his boots.

Tentatively, Marine look in decent shape going into the new campaign providing they can build on their momentum from last season. Bailey Marsden, formerly of Mossley has been signed from King’s Lynn and will bring tenacity and energy into the Mariner’s midfield, as should the well regarded 22-year-old Matthew McDonald who has been poached from Warrington. In addition, striker George Newell has been captured from Bala in the Welsh League where he has consistently scored goals, which should lighten the burden on Bobby Grant. On the flip side, they do urgently need to sign a number one goalkeeper with only 42 year-old coach Richard Cowderoy available between the sticks at present.

A 12th place finish may sound ambitious for Marine, but providing there’s no significant dip from Neil Young stepping down as manager, there’s no reason why they can’t cement themselves as a mid-table NLN club with ambitions of climbing higher.

Hereford – 11^th

Last season: 10^th

Key-ins: Kennan Quansah, Gus Mafuta, Chris Wreh

Key-outs: Sammy Robinson, Tate Campbell, Jaiden White

Player to watch: Omari Sterling-James

Hereford finished three places and one point outside the play-offs last season, paying the price for 5 defeats in their final 10 games, including back-to-back losses against Kidderminster and Scunthorpe in their final league matches. Since then The Bulls’ first-team has been decimated.

Player-of-the-season defender Sammy Robinson and holding midfielder Tate Campbell have both gone to Buxton, skilful number 10 Alex Babos (who is from Stoke and I was keen for Macc to take a look at him) has gone to the National League South, along with goalscoring wingers Jaiden White (a huge talent gone to Sutton) and Yusifu Ceesay.

Things looked desperate for Hereford at the start of pre-season, but in manager Paul Caddis they have one of the best wheeler-dealers in the NLN who is capable of doing admirably with a modest budget. Crucially for the Bulls Caddis has stayed put, despite being linked with the previous vacant job at Kidderminster Harriers and with teams in Scotland.

There have been a LOT of incomings in the past fortnight at Edgar Street so don’t be surprised if Hereford start slowly. But on the whole, Caddis looks to have worked his magic once again. Wingers Sam Osborne and Madou Cisse have arrived on loan from Alfreton and Notts County respectively. Defensive midfielder Gus Mafutu comes with solid National League experience at Solihull Moors, and centre backs Mitchell Roberts from Boston and Keenan Quansah from Southport should further strengthen a back four that already has the proven pairing of Matt Preston and Kyle Howkins. Does this indicate that Caddis will be going three-at-the-back and operating with wing-backs this season?

If Hereford are going to improve on 10^th place they’ll need to offer more of a threat going forward, having relied too much on veteran striker Any Williams. Chris Wreh, previously part of Tamworth’s promotion winning squad, will hope to form a potent partnership with Remaye Campbell who did well when joining the Bulls towards the end of last season. The dangerous but erratic wide player Kai Williams also comes in from Tamworth, but probably lacks both the assists and goals of the departed White and Cisse. Omari Sterling-James, another new signing halfway through last season, is an excellent attacking midfielder with an eye for goal from long range though.

If it all comes together, Hereford could be knocking on the door of the play-offs. But I suspect they’ll just fall short again.

Spennymoor – 10^th

Last season: 9th

Key-ins: Cameron Salkeld, Gary Madine, Olly Dyson

Key-outs: Will Harris, Reece Staunton

Player to watch: Glen Taylor

A mid-season slump of only 2 wins from 12 ultimately cost Spennymoor a play-off place by just one point. Given their strong end to the campaign (9 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses) and +26 goal difference, it’s hard not to have sympathy for the Moors who narrowly missed out on the top 7 for the second consecutive season, including them losing to Aldershot in the FA Trophy Final. Can they dust themselves down and go again? I’m not so sure…

Full-back Reece Staunton, a key source of assists, has deservedly earned a move to League Two with Grimsby Town and striker Will Harris has left for FC Halifax. Spennymoor have brought in Cameron Salkeld from neighbours Darlington as his replacement – a similar type of player, but one who appears to be a downgrade. Versatile defender / midfielder Olly Dyson, who spent time on loan last season, has now joined the Moors on a permanent basis from York City and will add quality to the squad.

The club will once again rely on legendary striker Glen Taylor for goals. The 35-year-old has an incredible record at NLN level, 151 goals in 278 appearances, which includes 18 and 14 respectively in the last two seasons in a Spennymoor shirt. But Taylor is becoming more injury prone and one wonders how much the Moors can continue to rely on him. Taylor will be joined up front by a new veteran striker signing in Gary ‘washing machine’ Madine, an experienced EFL target man with Sheffield Wednesday, Carlisle and more recently Blackpool, but Madine is 34 now and his best days are behind him. But if fit, the little-and-large threat of Taylor and Madine will arguably form the best strike partnership in the league.

The NLN play-off race looks ultra competitive this year, and I’m not convinced Spennymoor have bolstered their squad sufficiently in comparison to their other North East rivals, Darlington and South Shields. And it’s for all the aforementioned reasons that I have them just missing out again.

Macclesfield FC – 9^th

Last season: Promoted as champions of the Northern Premier League

Key-ins: Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, Josef Yarney, Luke Matheson

Key-outs: Tre Pemberton, Laurent Mendy, John Rooney (retired)

Player to watch: Luke Duffy

After suffering the agony of losing the play-off final against Marine, Macclesfield rebounded emphatically and swept all before them in the Northern Premier League last season, romping to the league title with 109 points and 109 goals.

With Robbie Savage at the wheel having agreed a new two-year contract, and talking up the Silkmen’s chances of promotion from the National League North, the club was riding the crest of the wave. That was until Savage pulled the plug and walked out to become the new manager at Forest Green, taking a trio of the Silkmen’s title-winning players with him in Tre Pemberton, Neil Kengni and Laurent Mendy with him.

Despite a decent pre-season, and the welcome appointment of John Rooney as manager, it remains to be seen whether Macclesfield’s squad and supporters are over the shock. Gut feeling suggests something is missing, and not just the gaping hole in midfield as a result of Mendy leaving and chief goalscorer / creator Rooney electing to retire to focus fully on becoming manager. Roons appears to be taking everything in his stride though and having listened intently to his interviews so far he speaks with calmness, clarity on authority, which is sure to project positively onto a dressing room who are full of admiration and respect for him.

Even before Savage’s shock decision to up sticks, I felt boasts of the Silkmen to finish in the play-offs and even feature in the automatic promotion race seemed ambitious. We conceded the first goal too often to NPL sides, often with barely any pressure, in what was a mediocre league in terms of playing standards. And only half the squad has played at Step 2 and above, suggesting there are too many unknowns to back Macclesfield as promotion contenders with conviction.

The decision to retain almost the entirety of last season’s squad was an early red flag, indicating that the club had come close to maxing out its playing budget for 2025-26, a point underlined at last night’s Fans Forum. This meant that quality additions to improve the first-team were always going to be the exception rather than the rule this season.

That aside, the captures of winger Isaac Buckley-Ricketts (Savage’s final signing) and Josef Yarney (who Rooney knows from his time at Oldham), are excellent additions. Elsewhere, the arrivals of Ethan McLeod, Regan Griffiths and the promising but raw Carlos Dos Santos feel like squad fillers, whilst I’m not convinced that former million-pound teenager Luke Matheson is an adequate replacement for Tre Pemberton at full-back, based on what I’ve read and seen so far.

Let’s put the violin away. There are still LOTS of reasons to be optimistic about Macclesfield’s chances. Max Dearnley, who has thrived in the NLN at Buxton previously, has been retained in goal, and centre backs Rollin Meyanese and the aforementioned Yarney have plenty of EFL experience to navigate the physical demands on the NLN. Yarney’s arrival should enable captain fantastic Paul Dawson to focus solely on playing in midfield this season, who at his best can be one of the best talents at this level.

As can also be Luke Duffy, a supreme creator, passer and finisher with the engine and tenacity to match. Losing Rooney’s influence on the pitch is a blow, but arguably the Silkmen have a ready-made replacement in Duffy if Roons elects to shift him from out wide into a more centrally advanced role. While further forward, Macc are the envy of every NLN club with D’Mani Mellor (who has looked superb in pre-season) and 40-goal striker Danny Elliott upfront. Elliott, who has been quiet in pre-season, has previously thrived in the NLN for Boston, Gateshead and Scunthorpe, so there’s no reason why he can’t flourish again in this league.

As the Silkmen’s rivals, such as Kidderminster and Chester, frantically search to add goals to their team, it’s comforting to know that Macclesfield are already strong in this vital area, providing we can get the right service to Danny again. Our wide players will be crucial to this so it is hoped that Buckley-Ricketts can hit the ground running and fellow wingers Sean Etaluku and Justin Johnson can show more consistency and reproduce the form which saw JJ previously named in the National League North’s team of the season at Chorley.

By chairman Rob Smethurst’s and Rooney’s own admission, Macc are 2 to 3 players short of being able to mount a serious promotion challenge. However, time is on our side as is money in the bank to bring the right players in who will notably improve the first eleven. If the Silkmen can get off to a good start then a play-off push is entirely realistic, particularly given we face Worksop, Oxford City, Southport and Alfreton early on – four sides who I think will struggle.

However, I think a top half finish is more likely as both the squad and Rooney adjust to life in the National League North. This would still represent sound progress though and provide a platform to really go for promotion in 25-26.

South Shields – 8^th

Last season: 17^th

Key-ins: Sean McGurk, Robbie Tinkler Caden Kelly

Key-outs: Myles Boney, Mackenzie Heaney

Player to watch: Paul Blackett

Major changes were needed at South Shields on the back of the club finishing in 17^th, with 7 losses in their final 9 nine games which ultimately cost manager Elliott Dickman his job. Replacing him is Ian Watson, ex-player for Blyth Spartans and Darlington who has spent time as an assistant manager to Mike Williamson at Gateshead, Carlisle United and MK Dons.

As per John Rooney and Bobby Grant at Marine, it remains to be seen how Watson will transition into management, but the signs are that he certainly knows how to build a squad. Shields have made some quality additions in the close season all over the pitch.

The experienced midfielder Robbie Tinkler has been acquired from Gateshead, but it’s a couple of youngsters who look really exciting captures in the middle of the park. Former Aston Villa U21 captain Todd Alcock is a talent, as is attacking midfielder Caden Kelly who also joins on a free transfer from Sunderland U21s. Kelly shone during a loan spell at Darlington in the NLN last season and looks a real coup for South Shields. Left winger Sean McGurk, signed on a permanent from Swindon, is also a young player who is tipped to thrive having dropped down two divisions.

In defence, Ethan Mann and Cain Sykes join permanently from Stockport and Middlesbrough respectively. Mann had a successful loan at Buxton last year, and is a real physical presence but comfortable in possession at the back. And less we forget, in deadly striker Paul Blackett Shields have THE outstanding poacher in the league who scored 22 goals in 41 appearances for the club last season despite their struggles.

If it wasn’t for South Shields’ lowly finish last season, and the arrival of a new manager who has made an influx of signings, I’d probably be tipping them to be strong contenders for the play-offs. But I’ve decided to be conservative and tip the Mariners to just miss out. Don’t be surprised though if they end up in the promotion shake-up!

Darlington – 7^th

Last season: 11^th

Key-ins: Tom Allan, Aidan Rutledge

Key-outs: Cameron Salkeld

Player to watch: Aidan Rutledge

Along with Spennymoor and South Shields, Darlington are one of three North-East clubs aiming for the play-offs. Last year Darlo finished 11^th, 8 points outside of the play-offs and never looked like putting a run together to gatecrash the play-offs due to their inconsistency.

In fact, the only thing the Quakers were consistent at was dropping points – 23 from winning positions, 13 of which came at home which included dropping points from winning positions against sides occupying 23^rd, 22^nd, 19^thand 17^th in the league at the time. Any upturn on those stats will see the league table looking much rosier for Darlington this season. They look a decent bet to do so, too.

Darlington manager Steve Watson is vastly experienced at this level and has raided his former club Gateshead for four players – winger Tom Allan, dangerous striker Aidan Rutledge who enjoyed a productive loan spell at Darlo previously, midfielder Will McGowan and reliable keeper Pete Jameson. Although Jameson is anomaly given he was a Darlington player last season and has joined Gateshead in a coaching capacity whilst being loaned back to the Quakers as a player!

There’s a lot to like about how Darlo’s squad is shaping up. Toby Lees is a competent central defender who should be complemented by the arrival of new centre back Alfie Myers-Smyth from Middlesbrough’s U21’s. In midfield, Elliott Forbes is an excellent passer along with free-kick specialist Will Hatfield. While upfront, new signing Rutledge will add to the Quakers’ existing firepower comprising last season’s 17-goal striker Cedric Main and the emerging young target man Jack Maskell.

Given potential play-off contenders Hereford, Spennymoor and Curzon Ashton have all lost key players recently, Darlington may not need to be that much better than last year to challenge the top 7. If they can add some useful loan signings and remain relatively injury free, the Quakers should improve on their 11^th place finish in 24-25.

AFC Fylde – 6^th

Last season: 23^rd in the National League (relegated)

Key-ins: George Wilson, Chris Merrie, Max Taylor

Key-outs: Joe Riley, Tyler Roberts, Nick Haughton

Player to watch: Danny Omerod

After a calamitous 2024-25 season which culminated in their relegation from the National League (for the second time in six years), AFC Fylde will be hoping to bounce back at the first attempt. The National League North holds fond memories for the Coasters as they have twice finished as champions, most recently in 2022-23. And with new manager Craig Mahon at the helm, who impressed in charge at Curzon Ashton, Fylde will be confident of winning promotion from a league which (on paper) doesn’t appear as strong this season compared to last.

Unsurprisingly, the club has had a clear out of personnel. The most significant departures are utility player Joe Riley and winger Tyler Roberts to Tamworth, injury-prone full-back Bryce Hosannah to Rochdale and centre half Emeka Obi who has joined promotion rivals Kidderminster.

But nothing can top the blow of losing prized attacking midfielder Nick Haughton, who banged in 19 goals last season and 26 goals when the Coasters were last promoted from the NLN, joining Forest Green earlier this week. Retaining Haughton was seemingly vital to the club’s chances of going up, and whilst Fylde will have a generous transfer budget to replace him and bring in new additions on top, there’s no guarantee they’ll be able to attract the right players with sufficient quality to fill the gaps.

Following Craig Mahon’s appointment in mid-June an avalanche of new signings were expected through the door at Mill Farm. So far, it hasn’t worked out like that and Fylde fans had to wait three weeks for Mahon’s first new signing, goalkeeper Zac Jones from the Welsh league who has recently been joined by fellow stopper Patrick Boyes who couldn’t command a first-team place at King’s Lynn. This suggests that Mahon’s transfer strategy is focused on quality rather than quantity as he patiently waits to land his prime targets.

Of Fylde’s new arrivals, midfielders Chris Merrie (ex-Tranmere) and George Wilson (ex-Altrincham) should do well at NLN level, but I’m less convinced by the acquisition of accident prone centre back Max Taylor who has been captured from crisis club Morecambe. On paper, the Coasters’ signings look ‘sound’ rather than ‘stellar’, and it’s something of a surprise that Mahon hasn’t brought in any of his old charges from Curzon. Though in fairness, Curzon’s best players Bobby Jones (goalkeeper), Stefan Mols (creative midfielder) and Isaac Sinclair (winger) have made the step up to the National League and League Two in Sinclair’s case. And of course, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts joined the Silkmen from Curzon in May.

Mahon will surely bring in more additions to bolster Fylde’s promotion push, even more so now following Haughton’s exit. But even as the threadbare squad currently stands, the Coasters look destined for at least a play-off push. Centre back Corey Whelan, midfielder Ethan Mitchell, winger Jonathan Ustabasi and forwards Charlie Jolley and Danny Ormerod should all thrive in the NLN.

However, Fylde will need to add to their attack. And herein lies the challenge for Mahon – how to turn his possession-heavy, footballing sides into prolific goalscorers. Curzon were the second lowest scorers in the top 11 of the NLN last season with just 59 goals last season (and only 25 at home!) which saw them slip outside of the play-offs at the death. A lack of goals (62) restricted Curzon to 7^th in the league in the season prior, which may imply that the relatively inexperienced manager Mahon may not guarantee success under the weight of expectancy at Mill Farm.

Fylde are likely to be in the promotion mix, but there are currently too many unknowns to back them to go up with conviction. Once their squad has been further strengthened a play-off push should be attainable, but whether they will have enough to get over the line and seal promotion back to the National League remains to be seen.

Kidderminster – 5^th

Last season: 3^rd

Key-ins: Jason Adigun, Jack Clarke, Dan Mooney

Key-outs: Ashley Hemmings, Caleb Richards, Zak Brown

Player to watch: Reece Devine

Kidderminster were 90 minutes from promotion, but a shock loss away to Southport on the final day of the league season saw them pipped to the post by title-winners Brackley Town. And worse followed when the Harriers were beaten in the play-offs by Chester, culminating in manager Phil Brown losing his job.

From the outside looking in, there didn’t seem to be a lot wrong at Kiddy. They accumulated 89 points, had the best offence (86 goals) and the second meanest defence (37 goals) in the NLN. But rather than dusting themselves down and going again with some fine tuning, the club has taken a wrecking ball approach in the summer, firing Brown and replacing him with former Kiddy player Adam Murray, who has overseen a turnover of 24 players in both directions.

Seven of the 11 starting players who lost the play-off semi against Chester have departed. Some were inevitable – loanee winger Maz Kouhyar returned to York and has since been acquired by League Two Notts County, star defenders Caleb Richards and Reece McNally have joined National League clubs, followed by centre back Kyle Morrison and midfielder Zak Brown who have linked up with promoted Brackley. However, it was a shock to see top scorer Ashley Hemmings leave the club for Dagenham after six seasons with Kiddy after bagging 30 goals last season.

New Harriers manager Adam Murray looks a sound appointment, having previously led Fylde to promotion from the NLN and he joins after narrowly missing out on promotion with Eastbourne in the National League South. Murray has raided his former club for the services of Jack Clarke – a like-for-like replacement for Zak Brown, Pierce Bird – who formed a successful central defensive partnership with fellow new signing Emeka Obi during Murray’s title winning team at Fylde in 2022-23, and attacking midfielder Jason Adigun from Dagenham who enjoyed a loan stint at Eastbourne with Murray.

Kidderminster have also signed former star centre half Jordan Tunnicliffe, combative midfielder Luke Spokes from Chippenham and re-signed creative youngster Ryley Reynolds on loan in midfield from Notts County who could player as a number 10 if Murray elects to play his favoured 3-5-2 formation. But it’s in attack where the Harriers face major question marks which could undermine their bid for automatic promotion. The departed Hemmings (30), Kouhyar (12) and Brown (7) were responsible for over half of Kiddy’s league goals last season which will be difficult to replace.

Murray has retained the services of veteran striker Amari Morgan-Smith (13 goals), but the 36-year-old is at the tail end of his career who many Harriers fans think should no longer be commanding a starting place. Murray has gambled on two players who were at Chester last season to score goals – talented forward Dan Mooney and striker Kurt Willoughby have linked-up well in pre-season.

But Mooney has never been a regular goalscorer during his career and Willoughby’s second spell at Chester (this time on loan from Oldham) failed to hit the heights of his prolific first stint. It therefore might be a leap to suggest that Chester’s cast-offs could be Kidderminster’s saviours. Another non-goalscoring forward, Tobi Sho-Silva has been added from Maidenhead to complement the Harriers’ forward line.

IF Kidderminster can click upfront they will pose formidable opposition as they look strong elsewhere. Wing-back Reece Devine is in an excellent supply line of chances and new midfielder Adigun scored eight goals in the National League South last season. It’s far from certain though that Murray’s new arrivals are better than the players they are replacing. And if they’re not, Kiddy may not be the frontrunners for promotion that many believe they are.

Chester – 4^th

Last season: 4^th

Key-ins: Tom Leak, James Jones, Finley Shrimpton

Key-outs: Harrison Burke, Dan Mooney

Player to watch: Iwan Murray

Chester agonisingly fell short last season, losing in extra time to Scunthorpe in the NLN play-off final. Despite not playing at their best, the Seals looked most likely to win the match after equalising from a penalty in the second half but struggled to create clearcut openings in front of goal to capitalise on their territorial dominance. It was a soul destroying end to the campaign for Callum McIntyre’s men after they saw off Buxton and Kidderminster in the play-offs after finishing fourth in the league.

Chester have kept intact the majority of the squad with one major exception: Harrison Burke. The home-grown centre back has left for League Two Walsall after a stellar campaign which saw him score 12 goals from defence and stake his claim as the best player in the NLN. It’s not just Burke’s goals that Chester will miss, but his all-round defensive capabilities as a superb tackler, ball carrier and passer.

McIntyre has tried to plug the gap in central defence by drafting in former loanee Tom Leak and James Jones, however both players fell out of favour at National League clubs Boston United and Altrincham respectively. Leak appears to be a Chester fans’ favourite, but he appears far less assured on the deck than Burke and may ship more goals this season. Between the sticks Chester have swapped one on-loan Wolves keeper for another, with highly regarded teenager Lewys Benjamin coming in for last season’s loan signing Jimmy Storer.

On a positive note, the Seals are one of the best passing sides at Step 2 and arguably have the best midfield in the league flanked by the box-to-box Jack Bainbridge, goalscorer and creator Declan Weeks and the skilful pocket-rocket Iwan Murray. They have also strengthened the middle of the park by signing Scunthorpe midfielder Finley Shrimpton, who impressed on loan at Spennymoor last season.

Up front Chester divide opinion. Tom Peers, who couldn’t hit a barn door during his time at Macc, has flourished for the Seals and hit 19 goals last term. But the Seals will be hoping for more goals and assists from Connor Woods (signed from Warrington in January) who seemed to have found his feet after a slow start. McIntyre has added forwards Offrande Zanzala, who has previous EFL experience, and loanee Fin Roberts from Crewe who enjoyed a brief stint with the Seals last season to the ranks. However, the goalscoring burden still seems to weigh heavily on Peers.

At times, Chester ooze quality, and if they can show more consistency throughout the season they will surely go close to promotion given they amassed 87 points last season, five below eventual champions Brackley. Last year they started slowly and were languishing in mid-table before Christmas, before embarking on an excellent run which saw them top the league in February and March until they fell away in the run-in. Right now, the Seals might be destined to be bridesmaids once more.

Chorley – 3^rd

Last season: 5^th

Key-ins: Tom Walker, Jack Moore

Key-outs: Mo Touray

Player to watch: Mark Ellis

If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it appears to be Chorley’s mantra given their inactivity in the transfer market. The Lancashire side, beaten in the play-offs by the eventually promoted Scunthorpe, have kept their first-team squad intact in comparison to many of their play-off rivals who have undergone major rebuilds over the summer. The Magpies have made a couple of shrewd additions, too. Former loanee Jack Moore arrives from Blackpool to provide an attacking option at right back, whilst left sided midfielder Tom Walker from Radcliffe looks an excellent capture.

There’s nothing fancy about Chorley, but they are a handful all over the pitch. Left back Adam Blakeman and centre half Mark Ellis were named in the National League North’s 2024-25 team of the season. Veteran defender Ellis epitomises Chorley’s threat from set-plays after scoring an incredible 14 goals in the last campaign. Whilst speed merchant Adam Henley is another very capable defender at this level.

In midfield, Billy Whitehouse, Milan Lalkovic and new boy Walker should provide good service from the flanks. And upfront, physically imposing strike partners Kole Hall and Tom Carr (ex-Leek) were starting to form a good understanding towards the end of last season and should increase their goal tallies beyond 10 and 9 respectively this term.

Given the low player turnover in the squad, there’s an argument to suggest that Chorley may have plateaued and are unable to kick-on from being perennial play-off contenders. Last year they finished 5^th on 79 points, however this was only three points clear of tenth placed Hereford after the Magpies’ form dipped erratically in the run-in.

When on song Chorley are among the best in the league. In fact, no team in the NLN took more points off the top 7 last season than them – 24 in total, which included doing the double over eventual champions Brackley Town and third placed Kidderminster. The Lancashire side also were unbeaten against Scunthorpe in the league campaign and beat Chester, King’s Lynn and Buxton on home soil. In fact, Chorley’s home form was the second best in the division behind Scunthorpe after they recorded 15 wins, 6 draws and only 2 defeats. If they can reproduce similar numbers this season, Andy Preece’s side should be in contention again.

But to seriously challenge at the top the Magpies will need to improve their away form which cost them dearly at times, evidenced by them losing to the relegated Needham Market and other NLN strugglers Radcliffe, Marine and Leamington. The tentative pick is they can and will challenge at the top.

Buxton (promoted via the playoffs) – 2^nd

Last season: 7^th

Key-ins: Cian Coleman, George Ward, Ryan McLean

Key-outs: Tom Elliott, Diego De Girolamo

Player to watch: Luke Brennan

Buxton enjoyed their highest ever finish last season which earned them a place in the NLN play-offs, where they suffered heartache by losing to Chester after extra-time. The young Bucks will be better off for the experience though and look poised to mount an automatic promotion challenge this time around.

There are lots of reasons to be optimistic about Buxton’s chances. The club have now acclimatised to their full-time training status having made the leap last season, and in John McGrath (entering his second season with the Bucks) have one of the brightest young managers outside of the Football League. The Derbyshire side’s full-time set-up enabled them to attract some impressive loan acquisitions last year. And although the likes of Man City goalkeeper True Grant have moved on, Buxton have sealed the permanent capture of former loanee midfielder Cian Coleman from Leeds United who scored 8 goals for them last season.

And unlike last season, the Bucks don’t appear to be relying on temporary signings this campaign. Defender Sammy Robinson and holding midfielder Tate Campbell (who reminds me of Laurent Mendy) arrive on permanent deals after excellent seasons for fellow NLN club Hereford. Giant centre back George Ward, another standout performer for Leamington, also looks a strong capture as McGrath seeks to add more steel to his young side who at times were a little soft. Buxton lost 17 times last season, more than anyone else in the top 11 of the NLN, which clearly needs to be addressed if they are to seriously challenge at the top end of the division.

Going forward Buxton are a real handful and were the second joint top-scorers in the NLN last season. Winger Luke Brennan, deemed surplus to requirements by Fylde, notched 20 goals and assists from out wide. Rapid striker Johnny Johnston, who only arrived in January, scored 7 in 21 games and should easily bag double figures this time around. The Bucks have also acquired much sought-after striker Callum Ebanks from Stratford Town and winger Ryan McLean from AFC Wimbledon, who previously excelled at Hereford.

It’s not all rosy in the garden though for Buxton. Captain and midfield dynamo Tom Elliott, who scored 10 goals last season, has surprisingly being lured to money-bags Matlock Town in the Northern Premier League. The Bucks still have brought back former loanee goalkeeper Joe young on a permanent deal from Shrewsbury, but possibly still need to strengthen their defence. These issues will surely be addressed by McGrath who is likely to leverage the loan market to good effect once again.

Whilst all the talk on the NLN will focus on the ‘big guns’ Kidderminster, Fylde, Chester and Kidderminster, Buxton should be a force to be reckoned with. Even in an ultra-competitive league, they seem well placed to finish in the play-offs for the second consecutive season. And if they can address their defensive frailties an automatic promotion bid is not out of the question.

King’s Lynn promoted as champions – 1^st

Last season: 6^th

Key-ins: Michael Gyasi, Michael Clunan, Adam Marriott

Key-outs: Kyle McFadden, Dylan Crowe, Josh Hmami

Player to watch: Joe Nyahwema

It’s been a jam-packed close season for King’s Lynn. The Norfolk side have been embroiled in a takeover bid from Singapore-based consortium Turn Sports Investments, manager Adam Lakeland has left to be replaced by James Rowe, and there have been 17 incomings and 17 outgoings in the Linnets’ squad.

Normally upheaval on this scale would make you reticent to back a team for promotion. However, King’s Lynn have brought in so much quality that it would be a surprise if they don’t fare better than last season’s sixth place finish which saw them lose to Chorley in the play-offs.

The full-time club have pulled off some major transfer coups. Former player Michael Clunan returns to the Linnets on the back off captaining Scunthorpe to promotion to the National League, as does forward Michael Gyasi who scored 15 goals for Peterborough Sports last term. And another new / old boy Adam Marriott is back in a King’s Lynn shirt after he was prolific for the club in his previous spell.

Goals were an issue for King’s Lynn last season – just 52 in total, and new manager James Rowe has clearly focused on boosting their attacking threat. Winger Joe Nyahwema, captured from ambitious Step 3 club Spalding, may prove the most exciting addition of the lot. The talented, but inconsistent, Jack Lambert has also been added to the roster from Chester who on his day is up there with the best creative playmakers in the NLN.

In addition, the Linnets have added quality and steel in midfield with Emmanuel Maja and box-to-box talent Will Van Lier joining Gyasi from Peterborough Sports. While at the back, King’s Lynn have swooped for ex-Barnet and Chesterfield full-backs Reece Hall-Johnson and Bailey Clements respectively. Finally, goalkeeper Louis Chadwick signed from Cambridge will push veteran and quality number one Paul Jones for a starting berth.

The Linnets have offloaded some ageing players from their squad, but they’ve also lost some important players too. Full-backs Dylan Crowe (Halifax) and former Silkmen Freddie Sass (Accrington) have moved on, as has talented ball carrier in midfield Josh Hmami to reunite with former manager Adam Lakeland at Halifax. Lakeland has also taken former Stockport tigerish midfielder Cody Johnson to Halifax who starred on loan for King’s Lynn last season. But arguably the biggest loss for them is centre back warrior Kyle McFadden who has surprisingly dropped down to Step 3 with Leiston. This will however create an opportunity for the promising left-sided centre half Tom Wilson to step up.

It's not just King’s Lynn’s new signings that are impressive, but also the capture of manager James Rowe following his spell out of the game due to a well publicised legal case linked to his time in charge at Chesterfield. Whilst Rowe is no stranger to controversy, and arguably a divisive figure on and off the pitch, there’s no denying that he’s an excellent manager who would surely be in charge of an EFL club but for his legal battle. At Chesterfield, Rowe turned around a club languishing just outside the National League drop zone and took them to the play-offs.

In the following season, Chesterfield were on course for promotion until Rowe’s sudden departure in controversial circumstances. Paul Cook duly took the Derbyshire side up and has subsequently established them as promotion contenders in League Two, but arguably it was Rowe who laid the foundations for their success.

Assuming Rowe sticks around King’s Lynn will take some beating, even if allowing for the considerable influx of new players taking time to gel.