2016/17 National League North

[DarkSithLord]

Teams -

AFC Flyde
AFC Telford United
Alfreton Town
Altrincham
Boston United
Brackley Town
Bradford Park Avenue
Chorley
Curzon Ashton
Darlington
FC Halifax Town
FC United
Gainsborough Trinity
Gloucester City
Harrogate Town
Kidderminster Harriers
Nuneaton Town
Salford City
Stalybridge Celtic
Stockport County
Tamworth
Worcester City

Wow that looks like a tough old league.

Still Early doors yet but Stockport and Gainsborough have been the busiest in the transfer market thus far. Stockport caused a stir at Chorley with thier transfer business. Darlington have also strengthened

Darlington have signed Liam Marrs from Boston, Lewis Nightingale from Farlsey, Aaron Wearmouth and Jordan Watson from Blyth, while also welcoming back stalwart Mark Bell.

Gainsborough`s now permanent player-manager Dom Roma has signed striker Jacob Hazel from Frickley and former Red Ash Worsfold from Buxton and Jake Scott from Bradford PA

Elsewhere in the league Salford have begun serious pich and stadium redevlopment while Harrogate Town have announced serious plans for their stadia - https://www.facebook.com/harrogatetown/posts/10153621918242957

 

[1884 Belmont]

I'll be the first to admit that my knowledge of the 6th tier is poor at best. However, in a perverse sort of way I've taken to all of the sides in the National League 2015/16 and I was genuinely sad to see the likes of Halifax, Altrincham and Kidderminster get relegated. On top of that, Stockport had a few ex-Rovers last season so I kept an eye out for them.
As you say, it looks a very tough league. It will be very, very interesting to see how Darlington and Salford get on against other sides with comparable (or greater) attendances and budgets.

No offence to anyone who supports other sides, but I'm hoping for Kiddy and Halifax to bounce straight back up.

 

[Harrier94]

So I guess it really is happening

 

[FCHTLewis]

I expect all of our business will be done following the Trophy final, although it looks like we're already making moves as Darlo have claimed we were after Lewis Nightingale.

 

[JE93]

Looking forward to the season ahead. As people have mentioned it's another step up but another step in the right direction. We have strengthened early which is a good sign and I think barring signing another CF we are pretty much done in terms of transfers. All the transfers look good on paper. All localish lads who want to push on and play at the highest level possible.

We are moving back to Darlo and coming up on the back of an incredible league win so there is a real feel good factor around the club atm.

Looking at the division it will be very tough to continue our run of 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 1st. But honestly a top 10 finish with a FA cup run giving us money to further develop the ground would be a great season in my book.

I expect the top 5 will be contested by the likes of Stockport, Halifax, Kidderminster, Flyde and Boston. But don't count us out just yet. Martin Gray has proved he's a good manager and not just here to make up the numbers.

Really looking forward to the new season. Why is August so far away.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Fans favourite Chris Lynch has left Salford and moved to Australia. Massive loss for them.

 

[Imp in Branston]

Looking forward to the season ahead. As people have mentioned it's another step up but another step in the right direction. We have strengthened early which is a good sign and I think barring signing another CF we are pretty much done in terms of transfers. All the transfers look good on paper. All localish lads who want to push on and play at the highest level possible.

We are moving back to Darlo and coming up on the back of an incredible league win so there is a real feel good factor around the club atm.

Looking at the division it will be very tough to continue our run of 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 1st. But honestly a top 10 finish with a FA cup run giving us money to further develop the ground would be a great season in my book.

I expect the top 5 will be contested by the likes of Stockport, Halifax, Kidderminster, Flyde and Boston. But don't count us out just yet. Martin Gray has proved he's a good manager and not just here to make up the numbers.

Really looking forward to the new season. Why is August so far away.

Not sure Boston will be such a force again, losing Piergianni and looking like Southwell will move are going to take some replacing.

 

[Ryan]

Not sure Boston will be such a force again, losing Piergianni and looking like Southwell will move are going to take some replacing.

Boston always seem to recruit well though, losing Southwell will be a big loss but I expect to find someone to replace him. Wouldn't be surprised to see them be near the top again next season.

 

[Solihull Mooron]

This thread is going to be live next season. Enjoy

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Curzon for the title.

although seriously as its my first full season at my 'adopted' club its genuinely hard to really think they can do more than hope to survive as they are easily the smallest club in the league and get about 250 fans.

the hope they will have i suppose is A: Keeping hold of their manager, B: a squad unity you hardly see at most clubs and C: having little fear.

its a small club but quite a vocal wee fanbase, make more noise than Carlisle did with 4-5,000 at games, plus i have never seen the sort've connection fans/club have like here, i suppose that is just a 'non league' thing you never see at FL level but the players and fans here really do see more as one than two seperate things.

On paper should have no chance, but looking at the table the killer for Curzon was they drew far too many games, Boston drew just 5 games, Curzon drew 15

Me thinks really the Curzon goal will be to be comfortable and maybe aim for the cups.

 

[KHFC_Shaun]

Just want the season to start now, and there's not too much ignorance in suggesting we should win more than we lose this season. The last two seasons have sucked the life out of me but if we manage to keep a large portion of the squad which finished up at Southport on the last day, I am confident we will do well.

 

[Prodigal]

It is certainly going to be a very interesting season, hard to predict who will do what until players are signed up, I see there is the usual optimism from some who feel this league is beneath them but I for one have thoroughly enjoyed our two seasons in this league and hope that we might be there or thereabouts with a decent cup run thrown in. Jansen has brought in 3 already and we have lost 1, hopefully another 2 or 3 new faces to come.

 

[DarlingtonFC]

Is Liam Marrs a good signing then for us? He played a friendly for us a few years back was ok, how has he done in this league?

 

[DarkSithLord]

Is Liam Marrs a good signing then for us? He played a friendly for us a few years back was ok, how has he done in this league?

He was pretty solid against us last season. Decent signing for you.

Scott Leather who recently left Altrincham has signed for Chorley while Jack Higgins has left Stalybridge and joined York City

 

[Prodigal]

Now confirmed Scott Leather has signed for Chorley from Altrincham, pleased with this signing. Things going well for us so far.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Is Liam Marrs a good signing then for us? He played a friendly for us a few years back was ok, how has he done in this league?

I've always liked him, talented, hard working and versatile.

 

[Kearsley Pilgrim]

Is Liam Marrs a good signing then for us? He played a friendly for us a few years back was ok, how has he done in this league?

You have a real gem. A huge favourite with Boston United supporters, Liam won both the 2015/2016 Boston United Supporters Association Player-Of-The-Season Award and the 2015/2016 Boston United Players' Player-Of-The-Season Award. A considerable achievement given he was in the same team as Carl Piergianni and Dayle Southwell. Most likely would not have left had Boston been somewhat closer to his Sunderland home.

 

[Josh Butler]

Shame to see Liam Marrs go. Pidge gone, him too. Southwell likely to go, Zak Mills perhaps too..... we've recruited a couple of players which we didn't do before last pre-season. Gonna take some replacing but if we can we'll likely be top 5 candidates

 

[appletablepenny]

Now confirmed Scott Leather has signed for Chorley from Altrincham, pleased with this signing. Things going well for us so far.

Mixed feelings about Leather leaving. True, he had an iffy year (had a nightmare against Colchester in the FA cup, and took ages to recover), but he was offered a new contract which he rejected.

 

[Alty Pieman]

Now confirmed Scott Leather has signed for Chorley from Altrincham, pleased with this signing. Things going well for us so far.

Scott is a lovely lad and at CN level a decent CB, loves a tackle, however at NL level he isnt quite strong enough, makes too many mistakes and goes to ground too easily. Most Alty fans wanted him to stay but I think our new manager thinks he can get better player for the money. Time will tell if he is right, or not

 

[Alty]

Looking like a tough league to get out of. Especially as we'll be having a mass rebuild this summer.

I'd be delighted to grab the last playoff place.

 

[Clem Fandango]

We've had some semi decent news about the full planning app going in to return to Gloucester. The worry is that our council will take forever and a day to actually validate the thing. The target is still to have a new stadium built by the start of 2017/18...

On the pitch player of the year Sam Avery signed a new contract as did Jas Singh, massive that one. Still one of the best keepers in this divison.

Worcester have been dealt a blow though as keeper Nathan Vaughan has gone to Solihull to sit on the bench for a pretty penny.

 

[Harrier94]

We've had some semi decent news about the full planning app going in to return to Gloucester. The worry is that our council will take forever and a day to actually validate the thing. The target is still to have a new stadium built by the start of 2017/18...

On the pitch player of the year Sam Avery signed a new contract as did Jas Singh, massive that one. Still one of the best keepers in this divison.

Worcester have been dealt a blow though as keeper Nathan Vaughan has gone to Solihull to sit on the bench for a pretty penny.

How's Jas Singh done? He was never given a proper run in the squad here and he always impressed me when he played for us. Also do you still have Calvin Dinsley?

Speaking of Worcester they have signed 6 players up for next season, Lee Hughes, Danny Jackman, Kyle Perry, Connor Gater, Jamie Smith and Dean Waldron that adds to Tyler Weir and Graham Hutchinson. Tristan Dunkley has also been offered a deal.

http://www.worcestercityfc.com/news/six-players-commit-for-the-201617-season-1616740.html

 

[appletablepenny]

Kyle Perry

 

[Alty]

How heavy is Perry these days? He seems to have been adding half a stone annually!

 

[DarkSithLord]

Damian Reeves has signed a new contract at Alty. Very dangerous striker at this level.

 

[appletablepenny]

Damian Reeves has signed a new contract at Alty. Very dangerous striker at this level.

To think Kyle Perry used to get a game ahead of him last time we were at this level.

Anyway, back on topic, good news IMO.

 

[DarkSithLord]

To think Kyle Perry used to get a game ahead of him last time we were at this level.

Anyway, back on topic, good news IMO.

 

[appletablepenny]

Exactly

 

[Pliny Harris]

Feels like if I post in this thread I'm giving away the final, vaguest belief that we've somehow stayed up this season.

Arses.

Anyway. We've got Scott McManus to pen another two-year deal. Smashing news, happy as a clam. He'll be hugely important for us this season, and that contract will see him complete seven years at the club, which is an unthinkably long stint for a Halifax Town player, past or present. We don't tend to do club men.