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AFC Fylde
Big spenders, full-time, virtually nailed on for one of the play-off positions at least. Nick Haughton remains at the club, having scored 26 goals last season, including a long-ranger at Edgar Street that caught Hereford’s now ex-goalie Brandon Hall out. Their aim, which they rather foolishly had written on their shirts for some time, of reaching League 2 by 2022 is, by my reckoning (although maths isn’t my strong suit), now impossible.
AFC Telford United
Shropshire’s premier football club. Traditionally, along with Hereford and virtually no-one else, seemingly too nice to succeed in the National League North, usually fielding a side who are vaguely of normal human dimensions, and don’t look like they’re from some sort of hybrid basketball-rugby league sport. However, in the game late in the season at Edgar Street they seemed to be attempting, and largely failing, to bring some physicality into their game. Interesting to see if they still see that as a way to grind out a few more results this season. There’s rumoured to be new financial backing from Music Magpie head honcho Walter Gleeson, although unless that money’s been used somehow very subtly it seems that the cheque could have got lost in the post, which could mean another long season for the Bucks. One of the few fixtures historically to be reasonably optimistic about.
Alfreton Town
Can’t think of a single thing to say about the Reds, other than that their nickname is, fascinatingly, the Reds. Oh, Lewis Whitham is apparently ‘buzzing’ at signing for the club – please, please, please can footballers start to be something other than ‘buzzing’ when joining a new club? Beehive yourselves and just say you’re really happy, or ‘over the moon’ for a bit of a retro vibe. Big Matt Rhead at 38 years young will presumably be allowed to referee yet another game when he comes to Edgar Street, but he scored one in three last season so cynical manipulation of the officials, and pies, aren’t the only things in his locker. There we are, that ended up being quite an in-depth look at them in the end.
Banbury United
A relatively short hop across to Oxfordshire for away fans keen to experience the delights of a new ground in the National League North. The Spencer Stadium has a bigger capacity than Edgar Street, surprisingly, although it’s virtually all uncovered, and has only 250 seats. Last season they won the Southern Premier Division Central title with four games remaining, earning promotion to the NLN – the highest they’ve ever been in the pyramid. Ex-Sloppie Kelvin Langmead is in the autumn of his career at Banbury, and ex-Bull Jak Hickman plays alongside him in defence, having come through a social media faux pas to get his career back on track. I remember him looking useful for Hereford. They’re no mugs then.
Blyth Spartans
Strugglers in recent seasons, and since Hereford were promoted to the NLN they’ve played Blyth six times and won each time. Spartans’ defending in the match up north last season was some way beyond charitable. Let’s hope they’ll more-or-less chuck a few more into their own net this time.
Boston United
Ex-Bull Jaanai Gordon’s latest club, with the Pilgrims also tempting last season’s player of the season Ben Pollock from one geographical outpost in the west to another in the east. One of these players will be welcomed back to Edgar Street reasonably warmly by supporters, while the other will be told quite loudly that he’s all sorts of unpleasant things. He’s probably not really, but when did that count for anything? Classy midfielder Will Atkinson has also joined from Southend – just the sort of player Hereford could do with, but presumably way too expensive. A stark illustration of the difficulty of Josh Gowling’s task in attempting to build a squad to compete with the bigger clubs in the division. Boston scraped into the play-offs last season, where they lost to York in the final. They’ll be hoping and budgeting for something a lot more convincing this time around. One of the favourites, with Brackley, Fylde and Kidderminster.
Brackley Town
Score one, concede none, week after week after week. Hardly surprising that no-one goes to watch them, hardly surprising if they choke again this season and miss out on promotion, hardly surprising if they comfortably do the double over the Bulls again. Free-scoring Callum Stead has joined them from neighbours Kettering Town. Last season Krystian Pearce got sent off at Brackley when getting found out as being not very mobile and really only any good for the likes of Kiddy Harriers.
Bradford Park Avenue
Like Blyth, Bradford PA begin with a B and have found life tough in recent seasons. Unlike Blyth, they haven’t been happy to roll over and have their tummies tickled by the Bulls. Striker Jacob Blyth has joined from Chorley, not Blyth, where he played 20+ games last season, which all sounds quite good on paper, but he seems to be one of those strikers who has scored almost no goals in a decade. There seem to be a surprising number of them. I don’t know why they don’t try something else like cycling or…I don’t know, judo? Black Belt Blyth is quite catchy. He should try it, that’s my advice.
Buxton
Another newcomer, at least in terms of the National League North (they’ve been in existence since 1877), and geographically interesting too, as Buxton makes Nepal look like Holland. Away fans should pack oxygen tanks and a sherpa for the trip as their ground, The Silverlands, is 10,000m above sea level. Not to be confused with Boston, which makes Holland look like Nepal. Jamie Vermiglio takes charge of the Bucks after surprisingly leaving Chorley having spent four years there. He knows the division and knows what it takes to win it. James Hardy, who as a youngster was one of the brightest prospects in non-League football before injuries interrupted his progress, signed for the club in June having formerly been on loan with them from Chester. If he can stay fit he’ll be influential in midfield. They could go well.
Chester
Old rivals Chester were absolutely pants for most of last season. New manager and club stalwart Calum McIntyre will be hoping that his appointment will lead to an upturn, although in fairness their new signings and re-signings don’t immediately suggest it. Pick of them looks to be Alex Kenyon, who has lots of Football League experience with Morecambe. Could be another frustrating season at the Deva.
Chorley
Tough as teak at home, highly placed throughout last season, ultimately losing to promoted York in the play-offs. If the Bulls finish above Chorley you’d imagine they’d be featuring heavily in the end-of-season promotion shake-up. Beat Gloucester 9-0 last season. Largely irrelevant here perhaps, but somehow just needs mentioning. Manager Jamie Vermiglio surprisingly left in the summer to join promoted Buxton, with Evesham-born director of football Andy Preece changing roles as replacement. Connor Hall has 23 goals in 59 games for The Magpies, and at the other end ex-Bull Harvey Smith is now a regular in defence.
Curzon Ashton
One of the smaller clubs in the division, but they punched above their weight last season and were in contention for the play-offs right up until the final games. Admittedly that was the case for most of the division, so perhaps it’s nothing to write home about, but they also looked a good deal better than Hereford home and away. If Chester do pick up this season, hopefully Curzon Ashton will take their place as being pants, because otherwise it could be even more congested in mid-table this time around. The Nash have finished 18th more often than not over the last five seasons, but despite this the head-to-heads haven’t favoured the Bulls. Maybe this time?
Stay tuned for the second and final part tomorrow!