National League South 2017-18 Season Preview

A tipster’s worst nightmare, but it couldn’t be more exciting for supporters. This is a league nobody can call.

So where is smart money heading? With so many evenly matched clubs, the best place to start is surely with those who fell agonisingly short last May.

A psychological blow struck by defeat in a playoff final has been known to hamper.

Chelmsford City’s experienced manager hasn’t got a hangover to deal with, aside from his own perhaps. The Clarets have many a new player and the ones Rod Stringer has kept have the experience enough to not let their poor performance at Ebbsfleet in the final drag on. An excellent pre-season raises expectation.

Dartford are a club never far away from the close-season predictions. With Tony Burman again at the helm, there’s little wonder why they are expected to build on last season’s solid showing. Burman has kept faith but he has lost two important players - winger Luke Wanadio to Bromley as Margate move for reliable defender Tom Wynter.

But with striker Duane Ofori-Acheampong sitting out the start of the season, they could take a few games to get into their stride.

Braintree Town have gone under the radar this close season but chairman Lee Harding made a wise choice after relegation.

Re-employing Bradley Quinton, this time as their manager, seems to fit. The Iron’s new man had done a sterling job at Enfield Town. But can he step his talents up quick enough to challenge for a division he won as a player at Cressing Road?

“We are in it to win it” - that was the bold backpage statement from Bath City manager Gary Owers. Beating Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham in pre-season shows they have improved and a new supporter-owner structure has added to their belief.

Gloucester City return to the South division after years away and Tim Harris, their manager, doesn’t see why the Tigers can’t be competitive

Hampton and Richmond’s energetic Alan Dowson says his side will be competitive… “we’ll be up there, I’m sure of that,” he commented this week.

Time will tell of course, and Hampton face a first day trip to East Thurrock whose manager John Coventry knows his side face a challenging second season in the Vanarama National League South.

One club not being talked about is St Albans City, but Ian Allinson believes his players have learned from a poor final few months of last season. It saw the Saints dramatically slip out of playoff contention.

Poole Town did end in the top five but ground complications meant they couldn’t compete. Tom Killick wants his team to put on a repeat performance and he’s managed to keep all the players he wanted to this summer.

Chippenham Town say they aren’t just here to make up the numbers and Poole give this season’s Southern League champions hope that they can have a great first season.

Bognor Regis may not pose a massive threat after their summer problems. They waited two months to appoint their new manager but he left within a week. Sami El-Abd decided it wasn’t for him so veteran manager Jack Pearce moves from boardroom to dug-out.

Regis won the Ryman play-offs, but Havant and Waterlooville won the league. They have signed Matt Tubbs, the potent forward, and Lee Bradbury will expect to be looking towards that top 7 places for his Hawks.

You can guarantee one thing every year, Wealdstone will be better than the year before. Manager Gordon Bartlett improves the club’s position every season and if he works his magic again this time? Yes….they’ll finish in the playoffs. The Stones could be the ones to watch.

They’ve got high hopes at Hemel Hempstead and Dean Brennan beat off competition from both Chelmsford City and Dartford to sign Charlie Sheringham. The Tudors have also added experience in Ismail Yakubu. Can they challenge?

There’s a new era at Eastbourne Borough. Tommy Widdrington has stepped aside and Sports’ new manager Jamie Howell arrives with a fresh approach and new ideas. Securing Sergio Torres could prove to be good business.

Torres’ old club Whitehawk will hope they haven’t got a hard season ahead with the Sussex Hawks forced to cut back and employ a completely new squad. Jimmy Dack is charged with keeping the club up. Anything else will be a bonus.

You could suggest it is the same situation at Welling United, who have 18 new players. Their new manager Jamie Coyle will hope the new Park View Road addition come together quickly, and they kick-off this weekend away to Truro City.

After the White Tigers’ playoff finish in 2015/16, last season’s struggle was a frustration. What will the new season hold down in Cornwall?

Hungerford don’t fear second season syndrome. The Crusaders ended last season in 6th place and their manager Bobby Wilkinson said earlier this week that they have to find another way of playing after a great debut campaign.

They’ve signed well, with five new players coming in they don’t want to upset the applecart.

Oxford City are excited about their first season on their new 3G pitch, and Concord Rangers manager Adam Flanagan is demanding improvement from last year. He feels, with a good start, the Rangers can rocket into the top half.

And what about Weston-Super-Mare? Popular manager Scott Bartlett left all of a sudden in June, he took up a full-time position at Forest Green Rovers and just couldn’t commit the time.

New boss Marc McGregor has big shoes to fill. If he can get the Seagulls flying like his predecessor then they’ll be in for a good year.