The NLP’s Guide to the National League 2018/19

AFC FYLDE
Mill Farm, Coronation Way, Wesham, PR4 3JZ
Opening Week: Bromley (h), Wrexham (a), Havant & W (a)
NLP Star Signing: Ryan Croasdale (Kidderminster)
NLP Verdict: Signalled their intent this summer in the transfer market and look strong enough to finish in the play-offs again.
 
ALDERSHOT TOWN
The EBB Stadium, GU11 1TW
Opening Week: Barnet (H), Chesterfield (a), Solihull Moors (a)
NLP Star Signing: Regan Booty (Huddersfield on loan)
NLP Verdict: Having lost the core of a successful side last season, Waddock’s new brigade have big shoes to fill.
 
BARNET
The Hive, Camrose Avenue, London, HA8 6AG
Opening Week: Aldershot (a), Braintree (h), Eastleigh (h)
NLP Star Signing: Dan Sparkes (Dagenham & Redbridge)
NLP Verdict: With so much competition, a play-off spot might be John Still’s best hope.
 
BARROW
Holker Street, LA14 5UW
Opening Week: Havant (h), Halifax (a), Leyton Orient (a),
NLP Star Signing: John Rooney (Guiseley)
NLP Verdict: It could well be a baptism of fire for Ian Evatt in his first permanent managerial position.
 
BOREHAM WOOD
Meadow Park, WD6 5AL
Opening Week: Dagenham (h), Havant (a), Wrexham (a),
NLP Star Signing: Manny Parry (Wrexham)
NLP Verdict: Tough to replicate the heights of last season but Luke Garrard is a talented manager and gets the best out of a squad with a good blend of youth and experience.
 
BRAINTREE
Ironmongery Direct Stadium, CM7 3RD
Opening Week: Halifax (h), Barnet (a), Chesterfield (h)
NLP Star Signing: Michael Clark (Leyton O)
NLP Verdict: National League survival looks set to be a tough test.
 
BROMLEY
Hayes Lane, BR2 9EF
Opening Week: AFC Fylde (a), Dover (h), Harrogate (h),
NLP Star Signing: Bobby Joe-Taylor (Aldershot)
NLP Verdict: Outsiders, but a good start like last year will only breed confidence.
 
 
DAGENHAM?& REDBRIDGE
Victoria Rd, RM10 7XL
Opening Week: Boreham Wood (a), Maidstone (h), Maidenhead (h)
NLP Star Signing: Alex Davey (Boreham W)
NLP Verdict: It’s been a chastening few months for Daggers fans but you’d fancy they have enough to be OK.
 
CHESTERFIELD
Proact Stadium, S41 8NZ
Opening Week: Ebbsfleet (a), Aldershot T (h), Braintree (h),
NLP Star Signing: Shwan Jalal (Macclesfield)
NLP Verdict: Consecutive relegations often spell the worst. But Martin Allen is a manager who can guide Chesterfield back.
 
DOVER ATHLETIC
Crabble, CT17 0JB
Opening Week: Wrexham (h), Bromley (a), Gateshead (a),
NLP Star Signing: Moussa Diarra (Barrow)
NLP Verdict: Strong last year and have recruited well but is a play-off spot too much to ask for?
 
EBBSFLEET
Stonebridge Road, DA11 9GN
Opening Week: Chesterfield (h), Leyton Orient (a), Hartlepool (a),
NLP Star Signing: Ebou Adams (Norwich)
NLP Verdict: The Fleet have added wisely but also kept hold of last season’s play-off squad, and will be challenging at the top this term.
 
EASTLEIGH
Ten Acres, SO50 9HT
Opening Week: Solihull Moors (h), Sutton United (a), Barnet (a),
NLP Star Signing: Alex Wynter (Maidstone)
NLP Verdict: No Stewart Donald, but could that bring the squad closer together? We expect an improvement on last season’s 14th-place finish.
 
FC HALIFAX TOWN
The MBi Shay Stadium, HX1 2YS
Opening Week:  Braintree T (a), Barrow (h),Maidstone Utd (h),
NLP Star Signing: Josh Staunton (Woking)
NLP Verdict: Another club to feel if the benefits of going full-time are worth it. Will be interesting to see how the new signings can settle as they bid to beat the drop.
 
GATESHEAD
International Stadium, NE10 0EF
Opening Week: Maidenhead (a), Salford City (h), Dover Athletic (h)
NLP Star Signing: Luke Armstrong (Middlesbrough on loan)
NLP Verdict: Lost some big players in the summer but boss Watson knows the task ahead.
 
HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE
Westleigh Park, PO9 5TH
Opening Week: Barrow (a), Boreham Wood (h), AFC Fylde (h),
NLP Star Signing: Paul Robinson (AFC Wimbledon)
NLP Verdict: After hitting rock bottom, this Havant side under Lee Bradbury have gone from strength to strength and they may surprise a few.
 
HARROGATE TOWN
The CNG Stadium, HG2 7SA
Opening Week: Sutton Utd (h), Hartlepool Utd (a), Bromley (a),
NLP Star Signing: Aaron Williams (Brackley Town)
NLP Verdict: Turning the 3G pitch-equipped Wetherby Road into a fortress again this season will be key for the newcomers, who should have enough to hold their own.
 
HARTLEPOOL UTD
Victoria Park, TS24 8BZ
Opening Week: Maidstone U (a), Harrogate T (h), Ebbsfleet U (h),
NLP Star Signing: Liam Noble (Notts County)
NLP Verdict: After a season of turmoil, Pools fans will hope stability will finally help their cause.
 
LEYTON ORIENT
Brisbane Road, E10 5NF
Opening Week: Salford (a), Ebbsfleet (h), Barrow (h),
NLP Star Signing: Dale Gorman (Stevenage)
NLP Verdict: With a season under his belt, Edinburgh can push Orient on to new heights and a top-three finish, or maybe even better than that. Watch this space.
 
MAIDENHEAD UNITED
York Road, SL6 1SF
Opening Week: Gateshead (h), Solihull Moors (a), Dagenham & Redbridge (a),
NLP Star Signing: Ryan Bird (Dover)
NLP Verdict: The Magpies are looking up, not down, so don’t be surprised to see them improve on their 12th place last season. Play-offs, though, may be just beyond them.
 
MAIDSTONE UNITED
Gallagher Stadium, ME14 1LQ
Opening Week: Hartlepool Utd (h), Dagenham & Redbridge (a), FC Halifax (a)
NLP Star Signing: Alex Finney (QPR)
NLP Verdict: Struggled last term following some high-profile departures but there’s a reason Macclesfield wanted boss Jay Saunders this summer.
 
SALFORD CITY
The Peninsula Stadium, M7 3PZ
Opening Week: Leyton Orient (h), Gateshead (a), Sutton Utd (a),
NLP Star Signing: Danny Lloyd (Peterborough United)
NLP Verdict: With their spending power, Salford City have to be the favourites. They will want to get off to a strong start to keep those waiting for any early slips at bay.
 
SOLIHULL MOORS
Damson Park, B92 9EJ
Opening Week: Eastleigh (a), Maidenehad United (h), Aldershot T (h),
NLP Star Signing: Danny Wright (Cheltenham)
NLP Verdict: There seems to be a good vibe at Moors and they could be a surprise package this season!
 
SUTTON UTD
Gander Green Lane, SM1 2EY
Opening Week: Harrogate (a), Eastleigh (h), Salford (h)
NLP Star Signing: Dan Wishart (Forest Green)
NLP Verdict: Sutton have recruited well and replaced what they’ve lost – there’s no reason why they can’t finish in the top seven again.
 
WREXHAM
The Racecourse, LL11 2AH
Opening Week: Dover (a), AFC Fylde (h), Boreham W (h)
NLP Star Signing: Luke Young (Torquay)
NLP Verdict: The signing of Luke Young is a massive coup for the club but Wrexham need to start turning single points into three – a lack of goals cost them dearly last season as their challenge fell meekly away.
 
*This article originally featured in The @NonLeaguePaper which is available every Sunday and Monday