Northern Premier League preview: Over half the league is in contention

PREMIER DIVISION

IT’S as it was in the Northern Premier League for the third consecutive season as several clubs look to challenge for a long-awaited promotion into the National League North.

Photo: Alamy

South Shields have been installed as the early favourites to claim the title and the completion of their transition to a full-time, professional status will have played a part in securing that tag.

Transfer business in an ongoing process for Mariners manager Graham Fenton with former Leicester City youngster Connor Tee and ex-Manchester City and Manchester United academy striker Ntumba Massanka both moving to the club.

The departure of talented Dutch defender Wouter Verstraaten will be a blow but Fenton hopes to bring in up to three more new faces before the season’s start.

It will be a case of the usual suspects when it comes to challengers to the Mariners with Buxton, Basford United, Witton Albion and Warrington Town all providing a real argument to suggest they can top the table come the end of the season.

Morpeth Town’s impressive capture of Hartlepool United’s promotion-winning captain Ryan Donaldson and the news that Nantwich Town have retained the services of the always impressive Sean Cooke also means they have to come into any conversation about top five contenders.

The likes of FC United, Scarborough Athletic and Gainsborough Trinity all made slow starts to a curtailed season last time out – but all head into the new campaign with enhanced squads.

There have been several eye-catching additions made around the league and that will only enhance the belief that the division will be fraught with danger for any side with aspirations of mounting a promotion bid.

Former Bolton defender Nicky Hunt adds invaluable experience to Ashton United and Witton Albion enticing goalkeeper Greg Hall back to Wincham Park will do them no harm either.

Indeed, over half of the clubs in the division will feel they can claim to be contenders for at least a play-off place, ensuring the NPL’s top tier will be one of Non- League’s most entertaining divisions throughout.