Two minutes with... Lincoln City

First in this season’s Two minutes with... is Lincoln City’s visit to The Hive. I think this campaign may be prove difficult, as one man and his dog aren’t always available on Twitter. In this instalment, Imps fan Karl (@Lincoln_Karl) gives his thoughts.

Saturday 14^th September 2013

Barnet (3^rd) v Lincoln City (8^th)

Previous weekend:

FC Halifax Town 2-1Barnet

Lincoln City 0-1Salisbury City

Pre-match

How did you get to the game?

I came by minibus with 13 others. It took about 45 minutes longer due to the beer flowing – meaning a number of comfort breaks at service stations!

What did you make of The Hive?

I thought the biggest main stand looks quite decent and stood out, but the rest looked average in comparison considering it's a new ground. I thought the away terrace steps were a bit dangerous as I nearly slipped when we went crazy when we equalised, so future away fans watch out!

If you went to Underhill, how did The Hive compare?

I think The Hive is more attractive than Underhill, although the location isn't ideal as there are no pubs or restaurants right near the ground. I used to find The Old Red Lion ideal, a minute away from the away end at Underhill.

Match

What did you make of the game?

At the start of play I would have been happy with a point, so I was happy we got one. Given how much possession and pressure we put on in the first half I was disappointed when we went a goal down, although to be fair Barnet had the best of the second half.

Who (from either side) impressed you?

Alan Power was outstanding for us, was good to have him back after his three match suspension, and Marsh-Brown for the Bees was decent – scoring a good solo goal.

Who (from either side) could have done better?

Acheampong for Barnet could have done better in defence, looked a bit shaky, especially first half.

Post-match

Was the score line a fair reflection on the game?

We had the better of the first half, and Barnet had the better of the second. A draw was probably a fair result.

Who do you play next and how do you think you’ll do?

We have Hyde at home this Saturday and I am sure they will make it difficult for us. We have won four games out of five at home so we should add another win at fortress Sincil Bank! I predict a 2-0 win for us.

Ratings

Price of match day ticket

£16 to watch a game down south in a new ground was a good price – 8/10

Purchases made at the ground

I had a few beers in the away bar before kick-off which tasted a bit weak. The bar staff seemed miserable and didn't seem to know how much to charge, despite a price list displayed on the wall – 6/10

View

Decent view from where the 576 Lincoln fans were in full voice all game and stayed behind singing and bouncing 20 minutes after full time – 9/10

Quality of football

It wasn't the greatest game ever but I have seen worse – 7/10

Overall experience

Because of our equaliser at the death which we deserved – 8/10

Total = 38/50

 Post Match

Table

Barnet 4^th / Lincoln 9^th

Following game

Aldershot Town 3-3  Barnet

Lincoln City 1-0 Southport

 
Thanks Karl!

If you’ve been to The Hive this season, give me a shout and you can be your club’s voice. Additionally, if you know you’re heading down for your game, let me know. If you’re not a Conference fan, but are ground-hopping, you can also give your opinion – I can be found on Twitter @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

2013/14 Season Preview - Part Two

2012/13: 8^th in Conference

Dartford

2012/13: 5^th in Conference North – “Strength, Battled, Determination”

FC Halifax Town

We’ve lost Liam Hogan to Fleetwood Town. Liam played a vital role in the Shaymen’s defence since we signed him from Woodley Sports, but he’s now gone on to full-time football. The best signing I believe, as it stands, is Josh Wilson (from Guiseley). Josh was Guiseley’s top scorer last season and also earned himself a call-up to the England C squad.

Neil Aspin, what a manager! Since Neil signed for us he's done nothing but prolific things for us, as a team and as a club! He’s brought in some of the best players around in the likes of Jamie Vardy, Jonathan Hedge and Lee Gregory. A minority of supporters didn’t think he was the right man for the jobs, but as it stands from last season, I’m sure a few mouths are now well and truly sealed!

The Shay Stadium (also known as ‘The San Shayro’). For fans who haven’t yet been to The Shay, it’s easily Football League standard and the East Stand is now complete to top it off.

Fixtures

This season, the fixture I’m most looking forward to is Lincoln City home and away, simple because my old man is an Imps supporter.

Predictions

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

To get relegated: Aldershot, Welling, Lincoln and Hyde

Halifax’s finish: Midtable

Bradley
@BradleyDobson
www.facebook.com/groups/TheNPL

2012/13: 10^th in Conference – “Frustratingly inconsistent”

Forest Green Rovers

Losing Jamie Collins could be key this season because whenever he was on the pitch we looked comfortable and in control. He brought a bit of muscle and maturity to our sometimes physically weak and quite eccentric midfield. However, the money of chairman Dale Vince has allowed us to bring in three class players this summer: Danny Wright from Wrexham, as well as Andy Mangan and Anthony Barry both from Fleetwood. Danny Wright will bring a strong, tall target to our quite small strike force, but I believe we will only see the best of him if we play him in the middle of our normal front front. Mangan, a fans’ favourite from a few years back has returned, if he can get firing from start of the season then he could be a major factor in where we finish. Anthony Barry is a small midfielder who is in to replace the loss of Collins so we expect him to do a similar job, to control and command the goings on in the middle of the park.

David Hockaday is loved and hated at our club. He isn't a 'tinkerer' with his formations and consistently plays his favoured 4-3-3 formation. A few tactical errors cost us valuable points last season and that got a select few of our fans wanting his head. Chairman Vince is going to stick by his man like he vowed when he took over as chairman but I believe if we are not in and around the play-offs by Christmas then Hockaday has to go!

The New Lawn has been what we call home since 2006. The best playing surface outside the football league without a doubt thanks to our eco friendly approach and the expertise of our groundsman Stuart who works tirelessly on his pitch. A no red meat law is in force in the ground so if you come on your away day expecting a pasty or a burger then think again, falafel wraps and a red veg burger will be on the menu! Parking within the ground of the stadium is advised otherwise you have a very long, steep walk to go on. The Green Man is our pub on site where both sets of fans can come and have a drink together and to converse with one another. Our ground just has an all round good feel, set on top of a Cotswold hill.

Fixtures

The last two games of the season are ones to look out for. These two games are against the 'giants' and expected promotion contenders Luton Town and Wrexham. If we are still in the race for the title or the play-offs then these games could possibly be some of the biggest in our history.

Predictions

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

To get relegated: Gateshead, Welling, Southport and Tamworth

Forest Green Rovers’ finish: Top 10 – whereabouts? I don’t know!

Ewen
@Ewenkenny_31

2012/13: 17^th in Conference

Gateshead

2012/13: 4^th in Conference – “So. Bloody. Close.”

Grimsby Town

Although around a dozen players have left some of those were fringe players (Greg Pearson, Louis Soares, Frankie Artus) who, while giving 100% effort, weren't going to cut it in League Two. Ian Miller and Bradley Wood were surprisingly released when they were two of the best back five in the league regarding goals conceded. That said, some real quality has arrived. Scott Kerr is the midfield general we've needed for years, Scott Neilson is the best winger in non-league and (if he stays fit) will terrorise full backs, while Paddy McLoughlin adds a left foot to our midfield three. Liam Hearn is also fit after missing all but three games last season with a serious ankle ligament injury. We still need a centre half and another defender, but hopes are high this is the best squad we've had in years.

Managers – we have two! And yes – while Paul Hurst is the good cop to Rob Scott's bad cop (the latter is known to throw abuse back at home fans when it's dished out) – we've improved in each of the three campaigns they've had. If they improve on last year's 4th place we'll definitely go up. If we don't go up this season it will be classed as a failure.

To sum up, Blundell Park is old. It's over 100 years old now and is starting to look it. But it's a proper Football League ground with a capacity of 8,000-odd. Some of the Conference grounds are, well, quaint. We're all-seater too which is a rarity at this level. Capacity for the away end is about 1,400. Some sides literally brought 14 fans last season.

Fixtures

Most looking forward to Lincoln away on Boxing Day and home on New Year's Day, because we always seem to take six points against them. Last year's 4-1 win at Sincil Bank was very much a highlight in the season. In terms of footballing clashes Kidderminster played the best football last season and Wrexham and Braintree were good to watch too. Matches with Luton are always tasty as they tried to steal most of our players last season.

Predictions

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

To get relegated: Hyde, Nuneaton, Salisbury and Aldershot

Grimsby’s finish: 3^rd – up via the play-offs to put to bed the Wembley disappointment last season

Paul
@toogoodtogodown
http://toogoodtogodown.wordpress.com

2012/13: 6^th in Conference – “Not bad considering”

Hereford United

At the end of last season, we only had one player officially signed on. We offered another three players contracts, all of which were turned down. Two out of these three I believe would have been key: Marley Watkins and Sam Clucas. Both had pace down the wings and certainly brought something to the team. Something I feel any team would miss. However, Martin Foyle has made some good signings, a few of which will definitely be key. If I had to pick one out I would say Chris Bush –a  good solid defender, who is not afraid to get forward and has one hell of a throw on him.

Many Hereford fans were predicting a finish of around 10th but to finish 6th was higher than our expectations. Foyle seems to get the best out of his players and the fact players want to play under him shows what a good manager he is. I feel he is one of the best managers in the conference and can certainly take Hereford United forward.

Edgar Street is a traditional football ground which is in need of upgrading. 

Predictions

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

To get relegated: Aldershot, Nuneaton, Alfreton and Welling

Hereford’s finish: I would hope for playoffs but being realistic I will say 6th again

Gemma
@gemmalou12

2013/14 Season Preview - Part One

2012/13: 24^th in League Two – “a complete mess”

Aldershot Town

With relegation came administration and that removed any hope of retaining players for next season. However, the players who were out of contract in the summer would have left the club anyway. It came as a surprise to many of us that the majority of players who were in contract for next season would be made ‘redundant’ by the administrators, leaving us with around six players left on our books. Peter Vincenti (Rochdale), Danny Hylton (Rotherham) and Troy Brown (Cheltenham) are three who will be missed. Danny Rose (Oxford) and Sonny Bradley (Portsmouth) were both loanees but nonetheless, will also be missed. All of these players, when fit were ever present. As it stands we are still in administration, so we cannot sign anyone but one player we have kept hold of is midfielder Craig Stanley – who we missed last season through injury.

Andy Scott has been given a mammoth task this summer – to build a squad from scratch from little money with the objective to simply survive the drop this season. This will be no easy task. Many managers would have packed their bags and left by now but Scott has stuck by us in this difficult situation and is deserved credit no matter what happens. In my opinion, he is the right man for the job.

The Recreation Ground – atmosphere and character.

Fixtures

At last we can enjoy a proper local derby… Aldershot vs. Woking! I am also looking forward to visiting Barnet’s new ground.

Predictions

To get promoted: Forest Green Rovers and Grimsby

To get relegated: Salisbury City, Southport, Welling United and Tamworth.

Aldershot’s finish: 18^th

Lewis
@LewATFC
http://theshotsblog.wordpress.com/

 

2012/13: 13^th in Conference

Alfreton Town

 

2012/13: 23^rd in League Two – “Finally we’re relegated”

Barnet

Our star player Ricky Holmes has unfortunately left for Portsmouth, but with his talent it’s no surprise he’s left us. Luckily we’ve kept our spine of Stack, Stephens, Davids and Hyde. Along with the signing of Welling defender Acheampong and Elliot Johnson breaking through from the academy last season I think we’re going to have a really strong defence. Hopefully Jake Hyde, who has been transfer listed, will stay, because he’s more than capable of bagging us 20+ goals this season. But we do still next half a dozen more players to bulk up the squad in all areas.

I know it’s been spouted a hundred times but if Edgar Davids had been our manager from the start of the season we would have been just off the League Two play-off places. After a string of managers who we’ve been quite frankly terrible under, having Davids in charge is a welcome change.

Even Barnet fans haven’t been to our ground yet! We left Underhill at the end of the season after a decade of nonsense with the council and moved to our newly built 5000-ish seater stadium by our training ground. I believe the seats came from the basketball arena from the Olympics. It’s really nice but won’t have the same charm as Underhill. Hopefully we can make it a fortress for the new season.

Fixtures

Luton Town at home on Boxing Day and away on New Year’s are the highlights given the rivalry between the clubs. Also looking forward to Gateshead to see Liam Hatch again who was with us when we won the Conference in 2005 and whom the fans still adore.

Predictions

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

To get relegated: Salisbury, Southport, Hyde and Gateshead

Barnet’s finish: 5^th

Adam
@adamshellard

 

2012/13: 9^th in Conference

Braintree Town

 

2012/13: 14^th in Conference – “Not good enough”

Cambridge United

The signing of Adam Cunnington will be fantastic to go alongside Tom Elliott up top. Every club is searching for a goal scorer and hopefully he'll help us to be up near the higher places in the league come the end of the season. Greg Taylor and Ryan Donaldson are two players I've admired for a long time too. I'm disappointed with the departure of Tom Shaw to Alfreton and also disappointed with our manager’s decision to release our player of the season Rossi Jarvis.

I'm not convinced at all by our manager. Last season I spent most of it cringing at his dreadful press conferences, pitiful repetitive poor excuses and persistently playing players out of position. But hopefully with his own squad this season, things may be different.

The Abbey is your typical old school lower league ground – not one of those boring four squares, all-seater and no atmosphere grounds. It's got a lot of character. I love it.

Fixtures

Luton is always an exciting one for our supporters, although a few idiotic ones seem to class it as a derby because they signed a few of our players four years ago! From a personal point of view, living in north Wales I will be looking forward to the Wrexham and Chester games to renew rivalries with friends.

Predictions

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

To get relegated: Salisbury, Southport, Hyde and Lincoln

Cambridge’s finish: between 7^th and 10^th

Ben
@BenValentine91

 

2012/13: 1^st in Conference North – “Exciting, Entertaining, Champions.”

Chester

Our biggest loss will be Antoni Sarcevic. He was voted our player of the season, and recently scored on his England C debut. The complete midfielder, but our loss is Fleetwood's gain. Was also disappointed in seeing the likes of Matty McGinn, Wes Baynes and Tony Gray (who all recently joined AFC Telford United) and Dominic Collins (to Hereford) leave, as I feel that they would have been more than comfortable in the Conference Premier; due to work commitments, they couldn't stay. But, as good as players they were, there have been players coming in with a very good pedigree. Jamie Reed is one that stands out, joining his hometown team, and had a good spell at York, when they won promotion to the Football League via the play-offs and won the FA Trophy. Reed was an integral part of that side, and having him at Chester is a huge plus for us. Jason Jarrett ran the show for Halifax against us in our league encounters last season, and Gareth Seddon scored against us in an FA Cup tie last season. Danny Harrison was playing League One football with Tranmere last season too, and brings a wealth of experience. Kevin McIntyre, who played for Chester City during our Conference Winning campaign of 2003/04 is back, and Lee Pugh is a young lad, signed from Clitheroe, but sounds a very exciting, pacey full back.

Without a doubt, Neil Young is the right man for the job. His record at Chester speaks for itself. He was brought in as manager when the club reformed in May 2010, and without a single player on the books. In three seasons, he has managed to guide us to three championship titles, and back where Chester City were when it went pop. He gets the team playing good football, but it's his ability to mould teams together, plus with an astute knowledge of the non league transfer market, he wheels and deals, and always gets the right results. I don't know how he's done it. It's nothing short of remarkable. He's dismantled three squads but has always rebuilt them with quality, and look where it's got us. The same is happening this season, and I'm sure it will all lead to another positive campaign at the Exacta Stadium. Put simply, Neil Young is an absolute genius, and he will guide us to the Football League one day, no doubt about it.

Whilst it doesn't have the "wow" factor, the Exacta is functional and tidy. It's a small ground, but since the club was taken over by the fans, tiny improvements have been made to make the place a bit more colourful. Away fans will be seated in the corner of the Centurion Community Stand (west stand) - for larger away followings the Swansway Peugeot End (south stand) will be opened, again though, this is seated. The Exacta doesn't produce a very good atmosphere, due to the low roofs on the stands. Refreshments are not the best either, I have to be honest. You'll always get a warm welcome though!

Fixtures

Looking most forward to Wrexham – we have our derby back, and after years of them goading us after our decline, we are back on a level playing field. Also looking forward to the games against the likes of Luton, Grimsby, Lincoln and Hereford. Reminders of our encounters during our Football League days. First up is Barnet, and that is one I'm also very much looking forward to: ex Football League team, a brand spanking new ground to visit, and there is the Edgar Davids factor too!

Predictions

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

To get relegated: Aldershot, Southport, Welling and Gateshead

Chester’s finish: a respectable 14^th

James
@Cestrian_Jim