2014/15 Season preview: Macclesfield

Last season’s finish:

15^th

Another mixture of good and bad form, but with less money than before

Players out:

Danny Andrew is the biggest loss. A good, pacy, left-sided player who showed his skill throughout the season, and as a result, he's joined Fleetwood Town for the new season. Very good at free kicks as well. He'd done more than enough to attract the scouts from the lower leagues. All the best to him at Fleetwood.

We've lost two key goal scoring strikers, Scott Boden filled the gap Connor Jennings created after leaving mid season, but all the wrangling over budgets saw him move to Halifax. And although Jennings was a loan signing, he was a vital asset to surviving in the Conference after we'd got off to such a poor start. His goal rate was impressive, but was prone to injury, and he left Macclesfield mid-season as a result. If we can get a regular goal scorer like Jennings (now with Wrexham, should be interesting to see how he fares) for this season, then there's less reason to worry.

There is talk Matthew Barnes-Homer will return, he's been on trial at Macclesfield, the question is whether Askey has the money to sign him

Players in:

Another loan signing from last season, George Pilkington has joined us from Luton and will provide a solid role at the back, a defender with vast League and non-league experience required.

I'm interested in Adriano Moke, a product of the Glenn Hoddle Academy, a pacy winger who has impressed on trial here, enough for the manager to sign him up. He should play a key role down the wing, and set up the opportunities for goals.

With a mixture of promising youth and vast experience (Danny Whitaker, captain Paul Turnbull and Chris Holroyd have all signed new contracts) we're cautiously optimistic for the new season

Club news:

The future of Macclesfield Town. A planned takeover didn't happen after our owner wrote off the debts, yet the budget is still incredibly tight for the manager. Smaller even than last season, though funds are said to be promised mid-season if all is going not very well. I hope it doesn't go to that stage, Askey worked well on last season's small budget, and did incredibly well to stay with the pack in a close battle for the playoffs. Eventually, Macclesfield lost form and drifted into a mid table finish, but given the troubles, it was a relief Macclesfield had survived

Matches to look forward to:

It's been 17 years since Macclesfield last met Altrincham on an equal platform, so the old Non-League rivalry will surely flare up when we meet in September, and again in January.

Local games with Chester and Wrexham should also be a great spectacle, particularly with the Macclesfield connections this season, Chester's new signing Peter Winn being ex-Macc and former club legend Steve Burr in charge; ss well as Connor Jennings up front for Wrexham

Predictions:

Macclesfield to finish 12^th

Champions – Grimsby Town

Play-off winners – Forest Green Rovers

Relegated – Welling United, Nuneaton Town, Southport and Dover Athletic

Thanks to Ian Stewart @ianthenoodle for helping out with this post

2014/15 Season preview: Lincoln

Last season’s finish:

14^th

The season was much improved with players showing passion to play for the club. There was always an element of togetherness something which we hadn’t seen in recent seasons

Players out:

There were a few players which left who we weren’t expecting. Jake Sheridan I think being one. He shows a lot of promise and had improved dramatically over the season becoming a regular starter. He will be an asset to Alfreton. I don’t think there were any other players that we will miss as we were lucky in being able to retain our key players despite numerous enquiries from Football League clubs

Players in:

Our signings so far are: Sahr Kabba, Tony Diagne, Nick Townsend, Hamza Bencherif, Jake Caprice, Marcus Marshall, Jordan Burrow and Karl Ledsham. I believe that each one of these individuals are going to be key. These are the strongest signings we have made in terms of ambition

Matches to look forward to:

The Grimsby games! However, I am looking forward to the long away trips as they’re always good

Predictions:

Lincoln to finish in the top 10

Champions – Forest Green

Play-off winners – Halifax (they’re ones to watch)

Relegated – Dover Athletic, Dartford, Chester City and Welling

Thanks to Lucy Rogers @lucerogers for helping out with this post

2014/15 Season preview: Kidderminster

Last season’s finish:

7^th

A season of turmoil off the pitch with 3 different managers killed any play-off hopes we had

Players out:

Both our full backs Lee Vaughan and Mickey Demetriou moved into the football league and were our main attacking outlet and source of creativity so will be very hard to replace

Players in:

Craig Reid and Reece Styche are both proven strikers at this level and have goals in them, while Ahmed Obeng is a young winger who's looked promising during pre-season and had pace to burn!

Matches to look forward to:

Obviously the home game against Bristol Rovers is going to be the biggest  in terms of attendance and atmosphere. I am also looking forward to the two Telford games as that's our derby now Hereford are no longer with us

Predictions:

Kidderminster to finish 6^th

Champions – Bristol Rovers

Play-off winners - Gateshead

Relegated – Welling, Nuneaton, Macclesfield, Dover

Thanks to Ben Hudspith @benhudspith2 for helping out with this post

2014/15 Season preview: Chester

 

Last season’s finish:

21^st – relegated, but reprieved due to Hereford’s demise

I'm glad it went quickly, as it was one of the worst seasons I've had following Chester!

Players out:

I hate to criticise my own team, but it's safe to say that I won't miss any one of those who pulled on the Chester shirt and have not been retained. It really was a dire effort by those involved; the likes of Seddon, Jarrett, Heath, Lindfield (arguably the worst player I've ever seen), Reed and McIntyre were a tepid bunch. Only Lewis Turner, who we had on loan from Leeds and recently joined Harrogate, can hold his head high

Players in:

Steve Burr knows this league inside out, and that is of a huge benefit to us, compared to last season, where our previous manager had no clue of Conference football (and it showed) – Burr knows what he has to get in to improve on last season’s dismal showing

We've got in a seasoned pro in Chris Iwelumo: ex Scotland international, and while he's "past it", he brings valuable experience to the front line and this has been noticeable in pre season friendlies so far

In midfield, the one who's stood out for me is Kingsley James. We lacked someone last season who, whilst doing the dirty work in the middle, could also bring other players into the game with his wide range of accurate passing. He's really impressed me in pre season

We also welcomed Peter Winn from Macclesfield, and he comes with a good reputation as well, having played well against us in both games versus Macc last season

Wayne Riley is a pacey, skilful winger signed from Hednesford and we welcome an old nemesis in John Disney, again from Hednesford, but again, he's a player who will give 100% when it matters

At the back, it's pretty much as you were as last season, with Gareth Roberts arriving from Notts County, bringing experience at the back. He does like to try forward and while that's one advantage attacking, it could lead us to being prone in defence as teams counter us

To sum it up, every player will be key for us next season, we need them all to stand up and be counted. We don't want a repeat of last season!

Club news:

The Club decided to go full-time in the summer. Being part time in a league like the Conference is a huge disadvantage. Luckily, we've got the budget (albeit a tight one) to go full-time and this should improve us greatly, especially later on in games. Late goals conceded was almost fatal for us last season and the amount of points lost from winning positions in the final 10 minutes of games was sickening

Matches to look forward to:

We have been given a second chance and instead of visiting the likes of Guiseley, Boston, Barrow and Stockport, it's big games against the likes of Wrexham, Bristol Rovers, Torquay, Kidderminster, Altrincham and Barnet that whet the appetite. Apart from Wrexham, I'm really looking forward to Telford – my favourite away day. A local game, a fantastic stadium and two sets of fans proclaiming who dislikes Shrewsbury more makes it all an entertaining affair

Predictions:

Chester to finish 12^th

I said 14th last season, that went well! I don't think we will struggle, I doubt we would trouble the play-off contenders either

Champions – Bristol Rovers

Play-off winners - Eastleigh

Relegated – Alfreton, Altrincham, Dover, Dartford

Thanks to James Hewitt @cestrian_jim for helping out with this post

#GotGotNeed

And so it’s that time again – Panini sticker album time! With the World Cup fast approaching, of course I had to release my inner-child and my dad bought me the album, with 50 packs of stickers, no less. I’ll try and keep this updated as much as possible.

Use the comment box below to let me know what you need, or tweet me @Luuuce_x

2013/14 Season Preview - Part Four

2012/13: 2^nd in Conference South – “play-off success”                        

Salisbury City

After several summers of turmoil at the club, it’s nice to see the majority of last season’s play-off winning side sign on for the new campaign! The ones that have gone are expected, and only Dan Fitchett is yet to sign (has just had a trial with Southend). However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing, with our gaffer, Darrell Clarke going off to take the number two position at Bristol Rovers after 6 years with the club. Whilst there were plenty of well known applicants for the job, number two, Mikey Harris got the job, despite being only 28 and never playing above the Southern Premier…he knows what he’s doing though, and with Warren Feeney coming in to partner him, I’m sure those two are more than capable!

Squad wise, hopefully Jamie White can get fit after he has his hernia op, as he will be a big man for us up top with his goals, but apart from that we look pretty solid particularly in midfield with the likes of Chris McPhee and Ricky Wellard. And hopefully with a few additions at the back (Exodus Geohaghon and Steve Tully are both currently on trial), we should have a decent little squad, and I do mean little!

As for our ground, it won’t be one of the best in the league, but it’s our home! We’ve got a covered terracing at one end, which’ll be the ‘home end’ if any games are segregated, with two small stands of seats either side of the scoreboard on the half way line, opposite the main stand. Holds a capacity of 3,500-5,000 depending on who you speak to, and we’ve now got a very bright scoreboard opposite the ‘home stand’ (inherited from Pompey apparently). The floodlights are also up to scratch, as before the Conference kicked us out three years ago they made us buy some new ones (!) Oh, and just a tip – for car parking you might be better off over the road in the industrial estate, particularly if it’s wet (it’ll save you £2 too!)

Fixtures

Looking forward to the whole season really, it’s good to be back! Obviously you’ve got the Lutons and Barnets of the league, which will always be a big game for someone like us, but the biggest game has to be the visit of Forest Green on 9^th November…probably the biggest rivalry we’ve got in the league.

Predictions

To get promoted: Kidderminster (Champions) and Forest Green Rovers (Play-offs)

To get relegated: Hyde, Alfreton, Dartford and Nuneaton

Salisbury’s finish: 17^th (although anything outside the bottom four will do!)

Liam
@LiamSCFC

2012/13: 20^th in Conference – “We stayed up!”

Southport

We’ve definitely lost a lot of key players. As manager Liam Watson left for Telford, he took almost all of the squad with him. However, the biggest loss was winger Shaun Whalley who left for Luton. I expect Shaun to have a great season there! However, we’ve brought in Stockport’s Danny Hattersley after he was on a loan spell here. The signing of Danny was a big relief, as we only had one striker in the squad! We also brought in ex Fleetwood Town central midfielder, Jamie Milligan. I believe Jamie will prove to be a crucial signing, who will be the centre of any success.

We appointed Alan Wright after Liam Watson left and he’s made five promising signings so far, including Barrow AFC winger Paul Rutherford. I wouldn’t be surprised to see more players come through the door throughout the season due to Alan’s wide contact range, which is never a bad thing to have. Alan has made it clear that his aim is to be around the play-offs.

The Merseyrail Community Stadium is a typical non-league ground. You have the Jack Carr Stand behind the goal, which is known as the chanting stand. To the right of the Jack Carr Stand, there is the Popular Side, which runs along the full side of the pitch – it is a terrace with no roof. Opposite is the Main Stand: fairly big, with half normally being unsegregated. Behind the other goal is the Blowick End – another terrace with no roof, which is where away fans are allocated.

Fixtures

Luton at home is our first game of the season and I can’t wait to see the ‘new’ team! I am also looking forward to Chester away, which couldn’t be played at a better time than New Years Day! Another game I am excited for is Dartford away and finally Barnet (both home and away), to see how they perform after being relegated.

Predictions

To be promoted: Luton (Champions) and Wrexham (Play-offs)

To be relegated: Salisbury, Hyde, Nuneaton and Aldershot

Southport’s finish: 17^th

Ben
@benniehighton8
http://hightonontour.blogspot.co.uk/

2012/13: 19^th in Conference – “Room for improvement”

Tamworth

We’ve lost Adam Cunnington, who scored all the goals and pretty much carried the team last season. Tom Marshall is another who will be missed, as he was a big presence at the back for us. Never rated by the fans, other than myself is Sam Oji – another centre half – who oozes quality and by far the best defender in the team. We’ve gained Richie Baker who’s a good goal scorer from midfield and has played a lot of games in the Football League, and goalkeeper Cameron Belford is a massive coup for the club. He’s also the son of the manager.

Manager Dale Belford is definitely right for the job. He’s a legend at the club and will have the players put in a shift every game. He’s a hit with both fans and the players.

The Lamb Ground may need a bit of attention, but the atmosphere it can generate is amongst the best in the league!

Fixtures

I look forward to every fixture if I’m honest, but notably: Nuneaton (home/away), Luton (home), Kiddy (away), Barnet (home/away), Salisbury (away), Dartford (away) and Wrexham (home).

Predictions

To get promoted: Barnet (Champions) and Chester (Play-offs)

To get relegated: Hyde, Nuneaton, Welling and Aldershot

Tamworth’s finish: 13^th

Ed
@QuarrelsomeGoat

2012/13: 1^st in Conference South – “Like watching Brazil!”

Welling United

Anthony Acheampong has moved to Barnet for reasons best known to himself – commanding defender and good for a few goals. With Ben Martin also leaving The Wings, that's a couple of regular central defenders down.

Jamie Day is a fabulously passionate young player manager who encourages and inspires great team spirit. Without a doubt, he’s the right man for the job.

Park View Road is shabby and old fashioned. We walk round the ground at half time so we can always stand behind the goal Welling are attacking.

Fixtures

As a former Barnet season ticket holder I have to say I’m looking forward Barnet at home.  Also the two matches against local rivals Dartford.

Predictions

To get promoted: Wrexham (Champions) and Grimsby (Play-offs)

To get relegated: Alfreton, Salisbury, Hyde and Southport

Welling’s finish: 16^th

Peter
@peterwanless

 

2012/13: 12^th in Conference – “New, exciting, successful”

Woking

We have only signed one player so far in the approach towards the start of next season and that is midfielder Josh Payne who recently played at Aldershot Town. Woking’s squad will mainly be made up of loan players and this was seen as the key to success last season. However, the most successful players that featured last season, including Billy Knott, Bradley Bubb and Jayden Stockley, are not likely to return this season so new key players will have to be found. The side will be boosted by the return of Woking’s spine from last season including captain Mark Ricketts and the impressive Kevin Betsy.

After taking over halfway through the 2010/11 season Garry Hill took Woking to the Conference South play-offs and then the following season won the league to see the club return to the Conference Premier. After an impressive first season in the Conference, I and many other supporters believe that he is very much the man to keep Woking away from the relegation zone this season.

Kingfield is situated just over a mile from the town centre and railway station and its main feature is the Leslie Gosdon stand behind the goal, of which away supporters usually get a quarter of. Visiting fans also get a full open aired terrace along the side of the pitch which is a great view. The only negative to this is, with no roof, visiting supports can expect to get wet if the weather isn’t great!

Fixtures

The game all Woking fans were looking out for when the fixtures were released were the games against Aldershot Town as the clubs are local rivals and due to their success and our relegation, the sides haven’t played since 2007. As with all smaller clubs in the league the big away days are still games that we look forward to including Luton, Macclesfield, Wrexham, Grimsby and of course Barnet. I personally am looking forward to visiting the likes of Halifax and Chester as I am yet to visit either of these clubs and have heard good things about their respective grounds.

Predictions

To get promoted: Luton Town (Champions) and Wrexham (Play-offs)

To get relegated: Aldershot Town, Southport, Braintree Town and Nuneaton Town

Woking’s finish: 15^th

Jacob
@JGreenwood91
everythingwokingfc.com

2012/13: 5^th in Conference

Wrexham

2013/14 Season Preview - Part Three

2012/13: 18^th in Conference

Hyde

2012/13: 2^nd in Conference – “Just missed out!”

Kidderminster Harriers 

This season we are looking to go one better and the majority of last season’s squad has remained unchanged with a few exceptions like Pilkington going to Hereford and Vincent going up to Scotland to join Inverness but to replace those we have brought the likes of Lee Fowler and Dior Angus in to name a few to Help strengthen the overall squad.

Steve Burr is one of the best managers that we could find for the Harriers. His knowledge of unknown players is exceptional and he works very hard to get the best out of them, which can be shown with Chey Dunkley who was fairly unknown and is know one of the league’s top defenders. Burr knows if the players work hard then we can achieve big things this season.

Aggborough is a nice ground for this league and holds just over 6000 fans. It has great food here so make sure when you come to Aggborough this season you check out the £4 pies – they are well worth the money!

Fixtures

There are quite a few games to look forward to the season. Top of my list has to be Wrexham as that is always a cracking day out, as well as the other big teams (like Luton, Grimsby and Forest Green). I am also looking forward to the games against the new members especially Chester and Barnet – and look forward to a trip to The Hive later on in the season.

Predictions

To get promoted: Kidderminster (Champions) and Wrexham (Play-offs)

To get relegated: Salisbury, Halifax, Woking and Welling

Kidderminster’s finish: 1^st

Liam
@LiamKHFC

2012/13: 16^th in Conference – “stressful, worrying, frustrating”

Lincoln City

We lost our two best strikers in the summer: Jamie Taylor who scored 16 goals last season left us for Sutton United for family reasons, and Vadaine Oliver who scored 13 goals last season was snapped up by League One Crewe. I feel that our gaffer has done a great job of replacing them by signing four strikers. The two who I am most impressed are Waide Fairhurst (who scored 13 for Macclesfield last season) and Nick Wright who was part of Mansfield’s promotion winning side and has had previous impressive goal scoring records at Conference level with Tamworth and Kidderminster. I am pleased Alan Power, Jake Sheridan and Tom Miller signed new contracts in the summer as they were key for us last season.

I believe Gary Simpson is right for the job as he has a passion and love for the Imps having been our assistant manager to Keith Alexander, and has unfinished business having seen us come close to promotion in League Two. Since being appointed manager back in February he saved us from relegation from the Conference on the final day of the season and masterminded an impressive set of results together. He clearly has a good eye for players in the transfer market, although it may be beyond him to get us promoted in his first season in charge.

We play at Sincil Bank, an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 10,120. This coming season there is a change to where the away fans are being housed – moving from the corner of our biggest stand (the co-op) to our smallest one on the opposite corner which was previously our family stand. The Stacey West stand behind the goal is being closed for this season to cut costs but will be open if necessary for larger away followings to sit in. The whole of the co-op stand is being given to home fans this season – the way it should be in my opinion as it is our biggest stand. The cathedral can be seen from the upper sections of the stadium. We have a bar at the ground which welcomes away fans and shows any live football; there is also a Wetherspoons which is always popular on match days, as well as a selection of bars in the town centre.

Fixtures

I am most looking forward to playing our fierce local rivals Grimsby as since dropping to the Conference, we are yet to beat them. Also looking forward to Alfreton away again this season as it is a short trip, which we have very little of in this league.

Predictions

To get promoted: Luton (Champions) and Forest Green Rovers (Play-offs)

To get relegated: Braintree, Alfreton, Hyde and Salisbury

Lincoln’s finish: 7^th

Karl
@Lincoln_Karl

2012/13: 7^th in Conference – “Paul bucked up!”

Luton Town

Most people will say Stuart Fleetwood is the biggest loss; however, I don't agree. There’s no doubt he can score goals, but his attitude was terrible. The signing of Luke Guttridge being the pick of the bunch, I also expect Mark Cullen to do a job up front!

John Still is now in charge and I'm hoping he's finally the right man to lead us back to the Football League! As expected he’s cleared out a few of the players, but to date has made eight signings.

If you've never been to Kenilworth Road then this is the season to come and visit us. As away fans you almost go through people's gardens to get to the stand but don't let that put you off! The atmosphere inside the ground is fantastic and expect 5-6000 home fans every home game!

Fixtures

I'm personally looking forward to seeing Barnet’s new ground and Cambridge away is always good!

Predictions

To get promoted: Forest Green Rovers (Champions) and Cambridge (Play-offs)

To get relegated: Hyde, Dartford, Welling and Braintree

Luton’s finish: top five

Richard
@HabbyHatter

2012/13: 11^th in Conference – “Interesting, but frustrating”

Macclesfield Town

Sam Wedgbury and Keiran Murtagh are the key midfield losses, but once again they were expected to go. Our Player of the Season Wedgbury gave everything, all the time. And always came across as someone who knew what the supporters expected of him and the team. Such was his effort, it was no surprise when a League club came calling for him. With Murtagh, he was always solid in the centre and Macclesfield were a lot different and underachieving whenever he wasn't playing in the squad. Unfortunately such was his tendency to get booked, Murtagh spent times on the sideline through suspension, and this certainly didn't help us. Matthew Barnes-Homer, our main goalscorer has not yet officially left, but most supporters expect him to. He's currently on trial at Notts County. Given the amount of goals he got for Macclesfield, it will be a key loss. But John Askey has signed Chris Holroyd, a Macclesfield born lad who scored nine goals for us during a short loan period last season. This included a hat-trick against Stockport County at Edgeley Park, which is certainly a good way of endearing yourself to the Macclesfield supporters! I'm also delighted that keeper Rhys Taylor has signed a new contract, and that Jack Mackreth has committed – a young, pacy winger who has great potential to make it in the higher leagues.

John Askey knows Macclesfield Town in and out, and what the supporters want to see at the Moss Rose and away. And that he would most likely commit to the same style of play that his predecessor used. Having been in charge of Macclesfield's youth output, I'm sure a few young prospects will make their way into the squad as the season goes on. Not only that, his new assistant is Efe Sodje, another Macclesfield legend who will bring in his in depth knowledge and status to ensure the squad has passion before the game begins. For a coaching team that have nearly 800 appearances in a Macclesfield shirt between them, they already have the respect from the supporters; they need it from the players though. I just get the feeling they didn't have it last season.

Moss Rose is a very quaint, standard League Two/Conference ground, that combines the modern stands with the old quite well. I suppose it's nicely old fashioned in the sense that it still has a terrace without a roof – away fans be warned if you're playing us in the winter!

Fixtures

Wrexham and Chester are the stand-out games – it's good that after one local rival departs (Stockport County) another can take their place. A bit more local for myself though, based in Staffordshire, is the trip to Tamworth and I went there for the first time last season on a Tuesday night. A dour goalless draw, but I enjoyed good conversation with some of their supporters beforehand, inside a typical lower capacity Conference ground. It was what I would call a proper Conference away game. I look forward to Kidderminster Harriers again this season as well, for the same reason about supporter interaction.

Predictions

To get promoted: Kidderminster (Champions) and Luton (Play-offs)

To get relegated: Southport, Salisbury, Tamworth and Gateshead

Macclesfield’s finish: 11^th again

Ian
@Ianthenoodle

2012/13: 15^th in Conference – “Incredible last third” 

Nuneaton Town

We have signed Louis Moult permanently who we had on loan at back end of last season and formed a great partnership with Andy Brown. Browny himself scored 20 goals last year in a ‘bottom four’ side which is remarkable. We've also just signed Greg Pearson who is a proven conference goal scorer so attacking wise we look good – we just haven't got a goalkeeper yet!

Our boss Kevin Wilkins is absolutely the right man. He stuck with us through demotion and delivered three promotions in four years, as well as Conference survival last season. He was also a brilliant goal scorer for us in the late 90s.

Our ground is adequate and is quite similar to others in the league. With metal terraces either end – one of which holds 1100 for away fans. The Main Stand holds around 400 fans but is located towards the away end.

Fixtures

Look forward to playing any of the big ex Football League teams. Luton away in front of 6200 last year showed how far we had come in four years when we had Dunstable and Marlow as league games! Aldershot will be good as we've never played there and Macclesfield first game when it's warm (rather than a freezing cold December fixture)!

Predictions

To get promoted: Luton (Champions) and Wrexham (Play-offs)

To get relegated: Hyde, Alfreton, Aldershot and Gateshead

Nuneaton’s finish: 17^th

Mark
@markjakeman