Hyde - Last season 18th - Bookies 200/1 (18th=)
Expected to make an instant return to Conf North with their tail between their legs last term, Hyde probably had the lowest budget in the division but proved hard to beat. The loss of striker Phil Jevons to Stockport and midfield playmaker Jamie Milligan to Southport are likely to impact, with a series of youngsters and experienced defender Will Haining joining the setup. Their second season is expected to be much tougher than last term.
Expected to make an instant return to Conf North with their tail between their legs last term, Hyde probably had the lowest budget in the division but proved hard to beat. The loss of striker Phil Jevons to Stockport and midfield playmaker Jamie Milligan to Southport are likely to impact, with a series of youngsters and experienced defender Will Haining joining the setup. Their second season is expected to be much tougher than last term.
Kidderminster - Last season 2nd - Bookies 8/1 (3rd)
If it wasn't for their opening 10 games, Kiddy would probably be a Football League side now. Their form survived the sale of striker Jamille Matt with Steve Burr having a production line of lower league talent in full swing. They are expected to run the big spenders close again this term, and have added vast experience in midfielder Lee Fowler to replace the departed James Vincent while the arrival of ex-Bull Jamie Tolley has puzzled many.
If it wasn't for their opening 10 games, Kiddy would probably be a Football League side now. Their form survived the sale of striker Jamille Matt with Steve Burr having a production line of lower league talent in full swing. They are expected to run the big spenders close again this term, and have added vast experience in midfielder Lee Fowler to replace the departed James Vincent while the arrival of ex-Bull Jamie Tolley has puzzled many.
Lincoln - Last season 16th - Bookies 50/1 (12th=)
Gary Simpson has cut squad numbers in favour of quality over the summer. The loss of striker Vadaine Oliver to Crewe has seen ex-Bull Waide Fairhurst and ex-Alfreton man Ben Tomlinson come in. The Imps are unlikely to threaten the top end of the table as they go through a transition under Simpson, but a poor start could put the club under more financial pressures having dispensed with their CEO over the summer to save money.
Gary Simpson has cut squad numbers in favour of quality over the summer. The loss of striker Vadaine Oliver to Crewe has seen ex-Bull Waide Fairhurst and ex-Alfreton man Ben Tomlinson come in. The Imps are unlikely to threaten the top end of the table as they go through a transition under Simpson, but a poor start could put the club under more financial pressures having dispensed with their CEO over the summer to save money.
Luton - Last season 7th - Bookies 9/2 (1st)
Is John Still the one to finally take the massive club back to the promised land? Veteran Still is the fifth manager to attempt their revival as they face their fifth Conference season. Many of the top earners have been axed in favour of a slew of lower league signings from a man adept at turning a profit from an uncovered gem. Whether these gems will shine this season remains to be seen, but bullish noises have come from the Luton camp and they expect to be in the mix from the start even if Forest Green are the favourites with most bookies.
Is John Still the one to finally take the massive club back to the promised land? Veteran Still is the fifth manager to attempt their revival as they face their fifth Conference season. Many of the top earners have been axed in favour of a slew of lower league signings from a man adept at turning a profit from an uncovered gem. Whether these gems will shine this season remains to be seen, but bullish noises have come from the Luton camp and they expect to be in the mix from the start even if Forest Green are the favourites with most bookies.
Macclesfield - Last season 11th - Bookies 33/1 (9th=)
A summer financial crisis means the club is now owned by the community with a budget that is a fraction of that wasted by former boss Steve King last term. New boss John Askey hardly shone as caretaker boss last term, and is certainly the cheap option. With a budget reckoned to be in the bottom six, the bookies' expectations of a top half finish are probably ambitious and they may face a long, hard season to keep their Conference place.
A summer financial crisis means the club is now owned by the community with a budget that is a fraction of that wasted by former boss Steve King last term. New boss John Askey hardly shone as caretaker boss last term, and is certainly the cheap option. With a budget reckoned to be in the bottom six, the bookies' expectations of a top half finish are probably ambitious and they may face a long, hard season to keep their Conference place.
Nuneaton - Last season 15th - Bookies 250/1 (22nd=)
Another expected to struggle in their debut season, the Boro used a string of decent loanees from Coventry to keep their status intact. With their near neighbours now lurching from crisis to crisis, boss Kevin Wilkin has turned to Nottm Forest and Birmingham to bolster his side. Alongside the young loanees Wilkin has brought in a trio of experienced campaigners headed by striker Greg Pearson. The part-timers won't set the world alight, but will put up a fight to stay in the division.
Another expected to struggle in their debut season, the Boro used a string of decent loanees from Coventry to keep their status intact. With their near neighbours now lurching from crisis to crisis, boss Kevin Wilkin has turned to Nottm Forest and Birmingham to bolster his side. Alongside the young loanees Wilkin has brought in a trio of experienced campaigners headed by striker Greg Pearson. The part-timers won't set the world alight, but will put up a fight to stay in the division.