EARLY ODDS ON THE VANARAMA SOUTH LEAGUE

WILL IT BE ONE OF THE BOOKMAKER'S FAVOURITES TO WIN THE TITLE?

Ladbrokes.com are offerring early odds for the Vanarama South League title with last season's long term leaders and play-off final loser's Ebbsfleet United 5/2 favourites followed by Whitehawk, who finished fifth and lost to The Fleer in the play-off semi-final, at 9/2. 

The Hawks under the management of Argentinian Pablo Asensio have been very busy in the transfer market of late. The former Southport, Macclesfield Town, Accrington Stanley and Droylsden coach has confirmed fellow Countryman Sergio Torres will stay at The Enclosed Ground as Captain for the forthcoming campaign. He has also signed ex Albanian u21 International defender Albi Llenga, striker Duncan Culley who moves from Hampton and Richmond, defender Marvin Hamilton who rejoins The Hawks after spells with Eastbourne Borough and VCD Athletic, Midfielders Ahmed Abdulla (another to rejoin the club) from Staines Town, Argentinian defensive midfielder Javier Favarel who is 24 years old and has played for Estudiantes in the Argentinian top flight along with Uraguayan Primera Division side Sud America and Deportivo Maldonado. 

THE WHITEHAWK SQUAD WILL HAVE A VERY INTERNATIONAL FEEL TO IT FOR THE 2016/17 CAMPAIGN

Asensio has also recruited five Brazilian players. 22 year old Attacking Midfielder Jose Mauricio Guzzi who was most recently on the books of Albanian side KF Terbuni along with Marcos Ribeiro, a 21 year old who has played for Chapecoense and EC Sao Luiz in Brazil along with Kleyton Agostnini (a midfielder), Gabriel Yan and Rodrigo Mann (both defenders).  French striker Wilfied Tago, 26 years old, formerly of Bulgarian club's PFC Velbazhd Kyustendil and FC Kaliakra along with Evry FC in France, Finn Harps in Ireland and Pars FC in Sweden.

The International signings have continued with Spanish Centre-Back Ramon Marimon. He is 20 years old and has most recenrtly been with AEC Manlleu and Terrassa. 

Defender Chris M'Boungou has also comited to The Hawks after impressing late last season when he joined from Bishops Stortford. 

Ebbsfleet United boss Darryl McMahon has confirmed stiker Charlie Sheringham will be staying with the club and has signed another striker in Byron Bubb from Oxford City who scored scored 18 times in 24 games last season. The biggest change for The Fleet will be the ground improvements being made at Stonebridge Road. 

Welling United are next up at 8/1. The Wings were relegated from the National League and are now under the management of ex Bromley manager Mark Goldberg who was in charge of The Ravens when they won the Vanarama South title in 2015. He has been very busy signing players with a number coming from the Ryman League. Danny Waldren, Mitchell Nelson, Jordan Brown all make the short journey from Dulwich Hamlet, Oliver Sprague from Hendon, Jonte Smith from Lewes, George Allen (formerly of Stevenage and Bishops Stortford) , Bobby Devyne from Enfield Town, Pierre Joseph Dubois (from Bromley), Rickie Hayles from East Thurrock United, Sean Francis from Bromley and the experienced Striker Jamie Slabber.

They are the three main favourites with Chelmsford City and Maidenhead United at 10/1. The promoted sides are rated at 14/1 for Poole Town. 33/1 for Hampton and Richmond Borough, 40/1 for Hungerford Town and 66/1 for East Thurrock United. 

VANARAMA SOUTH TITLE ODDS
courtesy of Ladbrokes.com 
EBBSFLEET UNITED 5/2 
WHITEHAWK 9/2 
WELLING UNITED 8/1 
CHELMSFORD CITY 10/1 
MAIDENHEAD UNITED 10/1 
POOLE TOWN 14/1 
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN 14/1 
WEALDSTONE 14/1 
OXFORD CITY 16/1 
DARTFORD 16/1 
ST ALBANS CITY 20/1 
TRURO CITY 20/1 
CONCORD RANGERS 20/1 
GOSPORT BOROUGH 25/1 
BATH CITY 28/1 
HAMPTON AND RICHMOND 33/1 
MARGATE 40/1 
HUNGERFORD TOWN 40/1 
EASTBOURNE BOROUGH 50/1 
BISHOPS STORTFORD 66/1 
EAST THURROCK UNITED 66/1 
WESTON-SUPER-MARE 66/1 

Here is a list of the pre-season friendly games arranged for the top three in the betting. It'll be interesting to see how the teams prepare for what should be a very interesting season.

EBBSFLEET UNITED
Saturday 16th July - Deal Town
Sunday 17th July - Dartford (Ryan Hayes Testimonial)
Tuesday 19th July - Thamesmead Town
Saturday 23rd July - Billericay Town
Tuesday 26th July - Folkestone Invicta
Saturday 30th July - Sutton United
Tuesday 2nd August - Greenwich Borough

WHITEHAWK
Saturday 9th July - WORTHING
Tuesday 12th July - HASSOCKS
Saturday 16th July - BURGESS HILL TOWN
Saturday 23rd July - HORSHAM
Wednesday 27th July - BRIGHTON & HA

WELLING UNITED
Saturday 9th July - CHARLTON ATHLETIC 
Tuesday 12th July - ERITH & BELVEDERE 
Saturday 16th July - MAIDSTONE UNITED 
Tuesday 19th July - VCD Athletic 
Thursday 21st July - Thamesmead Town 
Saturday 23rd July - Hastings United 
Tuesday 26th July - DOVER ATHLETIC 
Saturday 30th July - BROMLEY 
Monday 1st August - MILLWALL