Southport - Last season 7th, Bookies 100/1 16th - Liam Watson continues to work part time in a local hospital while being one of the most sought after managers in non-league. watson has done most of his summer shopping in divisions two or three tiers below the Conference with only ex-Macclesfield striker Michael Bakare coming from this level. Their 7th place finish last season had Watson named Manager of the Year at the National Game Awards. A repeat performance is unlikely, given the money elsewhere in the division, but they are unlikely to suffer the relegation peril of the other part-time sides.
Stockport - Last season 16th, Bookies 33/1 10th - Jim Gannon's return to Edgeley Park after the failure of the Dietmar Hamann reign last season saw a new financial realism enter the club. Gannon righted the financial side, and used his contacts to drag the club out of relegation trouble. The Irishman has a history of making good Stockport sides on small budgets, and the returns of former players Danny Rowe and James Tunnicliffe suggests he is capable of doing the same again. However a strong challenge for the top is unlikely with the club having to bear sole responsibility for the costs of their ground now Sale Sharks have moved on.
Tamworth - Last season 18th, Bookies 275/1 22nd - Tipped for relegation after a hard campaign last term, manager Marcus Law is no mug and has built a side capable of holding their position in the fifth tier. Veteran Lee Hendrie is the star name in the plethora of signings, but strikers Tommy Wright and Adam Cunnington are capable at this level, and keeper Tony Breeden starred at Kidderminster during a brief non-contract spell. Should be able to steer clear of danger providing their ten summer signings gel quickly enough.
Telford - Last season 20th, Bookies 300/1 23rd= - Another with relegation tags, Bucks boss Andy Sinton has spent the summer picking up mostly cast-offs from other Conference sides. Ex-Newport striker Jake Reid, Kiddy defender Michael Briscoe, and Tamworth forward Kieran St Aimie have come in after the Bucks were outbid in an attempt to keep striker Adam Proudlock at the club by Conf North side Chester. The part timers are also expected to complete the signing of former Bulls trialist Jonathan Brown but they are likely to find life tough and could well slip back down at the end of the season.
Woking - Last season 1st Conf South (p), Bookies 66/1 13th= - The runaway Conf South winners, Woking have retained the bulk of their playing squad from last term, although star winger Paris Cowan-Hall is now at Plymouth and forward Moses Ademola opted to join free spending Eastleigh instead. Additions include former loanee defender Mike Cestor, ex-Southend midfielder Lee Sawyer, and disappointing Aldershot striker Bradley Bubb. Manager Garry Hill has extensive Conference experience so the Cards are not expected to struggle this term, but they appear to be in for a year of consolidation rather than one with any aspirations for the top of the table.
Wrexham - Last season 2nd, Bookies 7/1 3rd - Having finally resolved their ownership issues, manager Andy Morrell's budget is going to be down entirely to what their fans can raise. Looking at a £400,000 shortfall on last season's wage bill, Morrell is hoping fans pledge sufficient to give him a similar sized pot to work with. The loss of top scorer Jake Speight and second top scorer Mathias Pogba has seen only the barely prolific Brett Ormerod come in as replacement. Third top scorer last season was Morrell himself and - at 36 - there are doubts how much he is able to contribute to the coming season. The bookies' expectations of third may be a little ambitious.
Stockport - Last season 16th, Bookies 33/1 10th - Jim Gannon's return to Edgeley Park after the failure of the Dietmar Hamann reign last season saw a new financial realism enter the club. Gannon righted the financial side, and used his contacts to drag the club out of relegation trouble. The Irishman has a history of making good Stockport sides on small budgets, and the returns of former players Danny Rowe and James Tunnicliffe suggests he is capable of doing the same again. However a strong challenge for the top is unlikely with the club having to bear sole responsibility for the costs of their ground now Sale Sharks have moved on.
Tamworth - Last season 18th, Bookies 275/1 22nd - Tipped for relegation after a hard campaign last term, manager Marcus Law is no mug and has built a side capable of holding their position in the fifth tier. Veteran Lee Hendrie is the star name in the plethora of signings, but strikers Tommy Wright and Adam Cunnington are capable at this level, and keeper Tony Breeden starred at Kidderminster during a brief non-contract spell. Should be able to steer clear of danger providing their ten summer signings gel quickly enough.
Telford - Last season 20th, Bookies 300/1 23rd= - Another with relegation tags, Bucks boss Andy Sinton has spent the summer picking up mostly cast-offs from other Conference sides. Ex-Newport striker Jake Reid, Kiddy defender Michael Briscoe, and Tamworth forward Kieran St Aimie have come in after the Bucks were outbid in an attempt to keep striker Adam Proudlock at the club by Conf North side Chester. The part timers are also expected to complete the signing of former Bulls trialist Jonathan Brown but they are likely to find life tough and could well slip back down at the end of the season.
Woking - Last season 1st Conf South (p), Bookies 66/1 13th= - The runaway Conf South winners, Woking have retained the bulk of their playing squad from last term, although star winger Paris Cowan-Hall is now at Plymouth and forward Moses Ademola opted to join free spending Eastleigh instead. Additions include former loanee defender Mike Cestor, ex-Southend midfielder Lee Sawyer, and disappointing Aldershot striker Bradley Bubb. Manager Garry Hill has extensive Conference experience so the Cards are not expected to struggle this term, but they appear to be in for a year of consolidation rather than one with any aspirations for the top of the table.
Wrexham - Last season 2nd, Bookies 7/1 3rd - Having finally resolved their ownership issues, manager Andy Morrell's budget is going to be down entirely to what their fans can raise. Looking at a £400,000 shortfall on last season's wage bill, Morrell is hoping fans pledge sufficient to give him a similar sized pot to work with. The loss of top scorer Jake Speight and second top scorer Mathias Pogba has seen only the barely prolific Brett Ormerod come in as replacement. Third top scorer last season was Morrell himself and - at 36 - there are doubts how much he is able to contribute to the coming season. The bookies' expectations of third may be a little ambitious.