A whole new world next season

[super_les_mcjannet]

Moving out of the Evostik will be very different, no doubt segregation at some clubs and not being the biggest attendances anymore with FC Utd & Stockport.

Also the season generally starts a week earlier (8th August this year) and ends a week later (30th April this year), the play offs are two legged Semi Finals (Wed & Sun after last game of season) with a one off Final at highest placed team ground (2 weeks after end of season - May 14th this year).

Also only 22 teams, so 4 less league games next year.

We start in the 2nd Qualifying Round in the FA Cup
We also start in the 3rd Qualifying Round in the FA Trophy

[poppyfield]

That new world

National North
Home Away All
Pos Team Pld W D L W D L W D L GF GA GD Pts Adj
1
Solihull Moors
40 14 1 5 11 8 1 25 9 6 82 44 38 84 -0

2
North Ferriby United
39 13 5 2 8 5 6 21 10 8 77 45 32 73 -0

3
AFC Fylde
40 10 4 6 11 4 5 21 8 11 72 50 22 71 -0

4
Harrogate Town
40 10 6 4 10 3 7 20 9 11 67 44 23 69 -0

5
Boston United
40 11 3 6 9 2 9 20 5 15 66 59 7 65 -0

6
Nuneaton Town
39 7 9 4 11 4 4 18 13 8 64 42 22 64 -3

7
Tamworth
40 9 8 3 7 6 7 16 14 10 54 43 11 62 -0

8
Chorley
40 10 5 5 6 4 10 16 9 15 60 54 6 57 -0

9
Alfreton Town
40 6 6 8 8 7 5 14 13 13 57 51 6 55 -0

10
Curzon Ashton
40 9 5 6 5 8 7 14 13 13 54 51 3 55 -0

11
Stockport County
40 6 6 8 8 7 5 14 13 13 47 49 -2 55 -0

12
Stalybridge Celtic
40 7 7 6 6 4 10 13 11 16 59 70 -11 50 -0

13
Bradford Park Avenue
39 10 6 3 3 4 13 13 10 16 48 52 -4 49 -0

14
FC United Of Manchester
40 8 3 9 6 4 10 14 7 19 57 73 -16 49 -0

15
Worcester City
40 7 6 7 5 5 10 12 11 17 53 57 -4 47 -0

16
Gainsborough Trinity
40 8 6 6 5 2 13 13 8 19 42 60 -18 47 -0

17
Gloucester City
40 6 5 9 5 8 7 11 13 16 35 46 -11 46 -0

18
AFC Telford Utd
40 8 4 8 4 4 12 12 8 20 44 58 -14 44 -0

19
Lowestoft Town
39 8 5 6 4 3 13 12 8 19 46 64 -18 44 -0

20
Brackley Town
40 6 6 8 4 6 10 10 12 18 43 53 -10 42 -0

21
Hednesford Town
40 5 5 10 3 8 9 8 13 19 50 74 -24 37 -0

22
Corby Town FC
40 4 3 13 3 8 9 7 11 22 47 85 -38 32 -0




**Nuneaton Town FC deducted 3 points - ineligible player

[super_les_mcjannet]

In all honesty the travelling isn't that much different in the Nat North than the Evostik.

Possibly Kidderminster, Altrincham and even Halifax might be joining us, if we can get Blyth up as well.

However Lowestoft is a 5hr journey each way

[Darlofan97]

Some very decent clubs in there; Harrogate Town, Boston United, Stockport County, FC United and AFC Telford. Add possibly Halifax, Kidderminster & Altrincham and it starts to become a bit more interesting.

[super_les_mcjannet]

Map of the likely make up (Teams in current positions) of National North.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mi ... 3ND5bjjkCA

[lo36789]

100point tallies unlikely to be the case anymore and we will almost certainly lose a few more games next season.

Plenty of teams in there who have been accustomed to league and conference national football over the years. Plus a few who are pumped full of money (Fylde and North Ferriby).

[super_les_mcjannet]

100point tallies unlikely to be the case anymore and we will almost certainly lose a few more games next season.

Plenty of teams in there who have been accustomed to league and conference national football over the years. Plus a few who are pumped full of money (Fylde and North Ferriby).

I am sure you are right, but we all said that last few seasons especially this one.

After this year if anyone can do it then it will be Gray, personally top half for next season with maybe a late chance of playoffs. That's what I said this season so will stick with it for next season.

[Hawkeye]

I can show you the world,
Shining, shimmering, splendid,
Tell me Martin, now when did you last let your heart decide?

[al_quaker]

I'm very excited. I'd be very happy with the playoffs next season. But I'm sure Martin gray will have his sights set higher than that. It'll be interesting to see what player movement occurs this summer

[al_quaker]

I'm very excited. I'd be very happy with the playoffs next season. But I'm sure Martin gray will have his sights set higher than that. It'll be interesting to see what player movement occurs this summer

[Quakerz]

To be honest I think there is no stopping this squad and I reckon the majority are good enough to play at the next level, and of course some already have done.

With 3 or 4 key additions (Chandler anyone?) I can see top 5 again.

There's some familiar old names in there but no one scares me.

The biggest worry for me is getting the ground up to Cat A in time, should we be challenging again.

In that respect 2 or 3 seasons at National North level wouldn't do us any harm because we'd be buying time.

[mikkyx]

I can show you the world,
Shining, shimmering, splendid,
Tell me Martin, now when did you last let your heart decide?

We will open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Onwards, onwards and upwards
On this magic Darlo riiiide....

[Darlogramps]

Potentially Kidderminster could be our first opponents at Blackwell Meadows, as they were at the Arena.

[Darlogramps]

To be honest I think there is no stopping this squad and I reckon the majority are good enough to play at the next level, and of course some already have done.

With 3 or 4 key additions (Chandler anyone?) I can see top 5 again.

Sam Russell and Ryan Bowman look like leaving too, supposedly.

Widely accepted there'll be lots of players leaving Gateshead this summer.

[tezza]

I'm very excited. I'd be very happy with the playoffs next season. But I'm sure Martin gray will have his sights set higher than that. It'll be interesting to see what player movement occurs this summer

There is no doubt as to MG intentions and aspiration. He could not have been any clearer than he was at the October fans forum @ Blackwell.
Conference and beyond. Likewise he was adamant on the budget he required to get there. The problem for us may well be the nearer he gets to achieving it the more difficult to hang onto him. He is fast serving his apprenticeship and someone will be watching. As for the playing staff , sure most will be given a chance, however expect a few to leave, (Armstrong: i believe wanted to go on a high and has had a great affect during his time) and new faces in. On the backroom staff, I hope he keeps White who I think along with Brown, has had a huge impact this season: Since he took up his role I have seen a marked increase in some of the players fitness levels and physiques.

[Darlofan97]

I would be surprised if Bowman left, he's scored 16 this season. Same with Danny Johnson who has 11. Both still young and can develop but would be happy if either became available in the summer.

As mentioned above, Chandler is leaving. Then there are possibly another few local players to look at if they become available, Curtis, Marwood, Gillies etc.

Mikey Roberts has always been a live-wire when playing for Whitby and Spennymoor against us, and it'll be interesting to see if Gray goes back in for Wearmouth from Blyth in the summer who's contract is up.

[super_les_mcjannet]

From my understanding Wearmouth will me signing for us, unless something has changed.

[fozzovmurton]

If someone had said in 2012 we would be back a step away from where we were within 5 years, I would have probably laughed and told them to check into the nuthouse

After what I saw last night, this team look like a match for anybody in Conference North

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[lo36789]

I suspect Gray will keep most and upgrade a few depending on who needs to leave due to commitments.

If Armstrong does go I expect a seasoned conference/conference north striker to replace him. If we get Chandler then Scott/Nowakowski could be surplus. We need some new defenders anyway but depending on Browns commitments those needs may be increased.

Not sure we will do anything in the goalkeeping area. We have a first choice and a reserve.

Remember in our last conference season we finished in the bottom 4. We are basically back to where we should have been now.

[Darlofan97]

From my understanding Wearmouth will me signing for us, unless something has changed.

Great to hear. He is quite a good player, can play on either wing, is tall and very awkward to defend against. I suppose you'll see what I mean if he signs!

He's based around Durham so probably easier for him travelling wise.

[Darlogramps]

I would be surprised if Bowman left, he's scored 16 this season. Same with Danny Johnson who has 11. Both still young and can develop but would be happy if either became available in the summer.

Supposedly Bowman and Neil Aspin don't get on, and Bowman's agent is touting him for a move. If he did leave, I suspect he'd rather stay full time in the National League, perhaps even League Two.

[Robbie Painter]

Hopefully we'll see a similar situation to when we got promoted out of the Conference with Brian Little - pretty much retained the whole squad with just 1 or 2 additions. That would be ideal for me.

[al_quaker]

I would be surprised if Bowman left, he's scored 16 this season. Same with Danny Johnson who has 11. Both still young and can develop but would be happy if either became available in the summer.

Supposedly Bowman and Neil Aspin don't get on, and Bowman's agent is touting him for a move. If he did leave, I suspect he'd rather stay full time in the National League, perhaps even League Two.

Yeah Bowman will get full time offers. He's got a good record, and he's played all over the country so it seems like he's happy to move around.

[Vokuhila]

I can show you the world,
Shining, shimmering, splendid,
Tell me Martin, now when did you last let your heart decide?

We will open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Onwards, onwards and upwards
On this magic Darlo riiiide....

Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feelings
Scoring, humbling, steamrolling
Through a string of non-league siiiides...

[Darlo_Pete]

There is nobody in the squad, that I would look out of place next season. One or two additions to give the squad a bit more depth is all that is needed.

[divas]

Hopefully we'll see a similar situation to when we got promoted out of the Conference with Brian Little - pretty much retained the whole squad with just 1 or 2 additions. That would be ideal for me.

Yeah I think you've got to give these lads a crack at it first. Gray was very light touch with the signings last summer, bringing in only Youhill, Turnbull and Burgess. I don't expect this summer to be much different.

[lo36789]

Agree with the above.

Chandler, a possible defensive re-enforcement would be enough. We basically only have 4 defenders if you exclude Paul 'always available when we get to the end of the season and short of numbers and big on games' Weldon.

I know people have mentioned Wearmouth but would he be an improvement on Mitchell/Thompson?

[Spyman]

Agree with the above.

Chandler, a possible defensive re-enforcement would be enough. We basically only have 4 defenders if you exclude Paul 'always available when we get to the end of the season and short of numbers and big on games' Weldon.

I know people have mentioned Wearmouth but would he be an improvement on Mitchell/Thompson?

I guess the thing is that once you have a solid defence, you aim to keep it solid and not rotate. If you have quality on the sidelines (like Watson), they don't get game time.

With your forwards you are much more likely to want to shake it up to keep people guessing.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[Darlofan97]

Hopefully we'll see a similar situation to when we got promoted out of the Conference with Brian Little - pretty much retained the whole squad with just 1 or 2 additions. That would be ideal for me.

Yeah I think you've got to give these lads a crack at it first. Gray was very light touch with the signings last summer, bringing in only Youhill, Turnbull and Burgess. I don't expect this summer to be much different.

And Nowakowski.

Credit to Gray, he added 3 leaders in Burgess, Turnbull and Nowakowski to an already capable squad.

[divas]

How many of the current squad have experience of the NLN?

Armstrong
Nowakowski
White

All at Harrogate Town I think - Any others?!