The blues narrowly lost out on a play off place by just three points last season and I think they will be right up with the play-off contenders this season.
Joint player-manager Jamie Cureton, who turns 44 at the end of August, shows no sign of giving up playing. He netted in the friendly victory over Harlow Town to mark the start of his twenty-sixth season at a footballer! He was Premier Division golden boot winner last season scoring 22 times in 35 matches.
The bulk of last season's squad has re-signed including nineteen year old midfielder Jack Thomas who was the young player of the season for 2018/19 and former Waltham Abbey central defender Sam Robbins who was the player's and manager's player of the year.
Winger/Attacker Aaron Greene has joined the club for a second spell after spending last season with Enfield Town. I'm sure Cureton will enjoy all the quality crosses Greene will provide on a more than regular basis.
BOGNOR REGIS TOWN
After relegation from the Vanarama South in 2018 The Rocks finished in a lowly fourteenth place last season.
They scored a huge amount of goals in 71 which is very impressive when you read second placed Carshalton Athletic only scored 70 and Haringey Borough (3rd) netted 73 times. The club did taste success lifting the Sussex Senior Cup at The Amex Stadium defeating Burgess Hill Town.
Manager Jack Pearce has made some impressive signings beginning with fan's favourite James Crane has rejoined the club after a one season stay with Worthing. Left Back Ashton Leigh from Wessex League side Baffins Milton Rovers has signed on a permanent basis after spending the last part of 2018/19 on loan at Nyewood Lane.
Eighteen year old Freddie Read has signed from League One Portsmouth after spending some time on loan with the club last season as well as with Gosport Borough. Many of last season's squad have also committed with striker/centre forward Jimmy Muitt pledging his future with the club - He was wanted by a few clubs higher up the pyramid so will be a key player for the club in 2019/20. There is no doubting he will score lots of goals next season. He was top scorer last season despite spending time out with an injury.
I think Bognor Regis Town will finish much higher than fourteenth this season.
It will be the Essex clubs first ever season at Step Three of the non-league ladder after they run away with the North Division title last season by a margin on 12 points and a massive goal difference of +71.
Goalkeeper Andy Wilton has left the club and has been replaced by Callum Chafer who rejoins the club from Hornchurch. Aside from that it seems as if Manager Rob Small will be sticking with the side who did so well last season. Will they be able to cope with the move upwards from Step Four to Step Three of the non-league ladder. There's no doubting they will surprise a few teams along the way. They host Wingate and Finchley in their first game of the season before a local trip to Brightlingsea Regent. I would think Small will be very pleased if he's gets three points on the board from these two games - he'll be ecstatic if they manage to get six points!
The Essex club will spend their third consecutive season at step three level after finishing in 20th (of 24) place in 2017/18 and 13th (of 22) last season. Manager Tom Rothery took the R's to their highest ever finish in the non-league pyramid as well as their best runs in the FA Cup and FA Trophy in his first full season in charge of the club in 2018/19.
Rothery has retained many of his key players including midfielder Jake Turner who has penned a two year deal. He scooped the Supporter's, Player's and Manager's player of the year last season. Captain Matt Cripps, 26, will also play for the club next season which will be his sixth with the club.
New signings are midfielder Amir Berkane who joins after spending last season with Aveley in the North Division - he spent time with the club in 14/15 on loan from Chelmsford City. Goalkeeper Charlie Turner, 23, joins after an impressive season with Stansted in the Essex Senior League - He has also played Haverhill Borough and Haverhill Rovers.
Forwards Romario Dunne and Adam Hampson have joined from the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division making the big step up two levels on the non-league ladder. Dunne was with Hadleigh United and Hampson with FC Clacton last season.
CARSHALTON ATHLETIC
It was a fantastic campaign for The Robins last season who finished in second place after winning the South Division in 2017/18. They were particularly impressive during the second half of the season. Manager Peter Adeniyi has confirmed centre-forward Harry Ottaway will be with the club - He has been a firm fan's favourite at every club he has played and was one of the catalysts to the club's climb up the table last season after joining over the festive period getting eight goals and twelve assists in the games he played.
Adeniyi has signed a three year contract to stay with the club and he will also head up the club’s youth academy for 16 to 18-year olds and help oversee the squads at both under 19 and under 23 levels. The main aim and ambition for everyone at the club is to find and develop the next Mickell Miller who left Colston Avenue for Hamilton Academical in January 2018 and is now a first team regular with the Scottish Premiership team.
The club's academy and youth structure is a very successful one with many players coming through and representing the first team squad over the past few seasons including Ricky Korboa, Bobby Price and Paris Hamilton-Downes.
Two players have left the club - Kavlin Morth-Gibbs has left the club to join newly promoted Cray Valley PM - He played 116 times for The Robins after joining from Dulwich Hamlet in 2016. Winger Jacob Mendy has left after playing 47 times for the club last season - He moves upwards to step two and joins Vanarama South side Wealdstone.
The Ambers last played at step three of the non-league pyramid in 2007/08 when they were in the Southern League Premier Division and they return after winning the Central Division play-off final last season. With the experienced former Kingstonian and Billericay Town Craig Edwards in charge they are certain to ruffle a few feathers in the Premier Division this campaign.
They travel to East Thurrock United on the opening day of the season - the clubs were two divisions apart last season so it'll be interesting to see the result of this fixture.
Everyone associated with Casuals will have been very pleased with their 47 points total last season. There hasn't been much news in respect of new signings for Casuals at present but one thing is for sure Manager James Bracken will have his squad up for it and ready on the opening day of the season when they make the trip to North London to play Haringey Borough.
It's been a fantastic year for Cray Wanderers with not only their promotion back up to step three of the non-league ladder after a five season break but also planning permission was granted (finally!) for their new ground to be built at Flamingo Park. It is hoped the fantastic new facility will be ready for the 2021/22 season. The club's under 13s and under 18s will be playing on a new pitch at Flamingo Park in the forthcoming season alongside Sunday League/you tube side SE Dons who have a large following and will attract decent crowds to their games - A crowd of over 2000 people saw their Kent Cup Final victory in April.
Flamingo Park is around five miles from Star Lane (now a cemetery) where The Wanderers first played the game in 1860!
Goalkeeper Lewis Carey has joined from Lewes - He has previously played for Bromley, Tonbridge Angels, Eastbourne Borough and Thamesmead Town. Striker Freddie Parker recently hit a hat-trick against Tonbridge Angels in their 4-2 pre-season victory.
EAST THURROCK UNITED
After promotion to the Vanarama South via the 2016 play-offs and 13th and 15th placings it was a struggle of a season for The Rocks last season as they finished 21st and return to the Isthmian Premier Division for 2019/20. The hugely popular John Coventry is still in charge at Rookery Hill - He has been boss since 2007 and before this he was Assistant Manager meaning he has been with the club for 18 years. It was a real family celebration in their recent pre-season game against Romford as Coventry gave his grandson Jack, aged 16, his debut for the team when he came on as a second half substitute in their 1-0 victory.
In transfer news Jordan Brown joins from North Division Canvey Island. Now 27 years of age he played in the academy system of West Ham United before playing for Aldershot Town and Crewe Alexandra before joining then League Two Barnet in 2012 where the made a number of appearances. He has since played for Bishops Stortford, Boreham Wood, Hemel Hempstead Town, Whitehawk, Dulwich Hamlet, Welling United and Concord Rangers before representing The Gulls last season.
Wide player George Brown joins after being released by Colchester United over the summer - He spent sometime on loan with Margate last season and also played for his new side on loan in 2017. Club legend Sam Higgins, who scored 275 goals in competitive fixtures, has left the club to stay in the Vanarama South and joins Chelmsford City.
Lewis Smith, Mitchell Gilbey and Jason Ring return for a second spell at the club. Smith and Gilbey were with North Division Tilbury in 2018/19 with Ring also moving upwards from that division after impressing with Great Wakering Rovers last campaign. Frankie Merrifield follows team-mate Jordan Brown from Canvey Island - He played a handful of appearances for AFC Wimbledon before representing Hayes and Yeading, Bishops Stortford and Chelmsford City. Georgian Morisi Gelashvili can play in either defence or midfield and joins after impressing with Brightlingsea Regent last season - He has also played for Stanway Rovers.
In the dug-out former Tilbury boss Paul Vaughan joins the coaching staff.
ENFIELD TOWN
Despite winning the Isthmian League Cup Final last season many of the club's supporters will look at the campaign, with a tenth placed finish coupled with early exits in the FA Cup to Bedford Town and FA Trophy to Basingstoke Town, as disappointing with the quality of the squad that manager Andy Leese had recruited.
The signing of defender Mark Weatherstone in December was a fantastic piece of business and the former Wingate and Finchley legend could well be a key player for the club this season especially now with a full pre-season's training at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium.
The Towners have lost winger Aaron Greene who moves to Bishops Stortford. Goalkeeper Joe Wright, utility man and fan's favourite Micky Parcell along with midfielder Matt Johnson have all signed for league rival's Hornchurch.
New arrivals are defender John Muleba who returns for a second spell at Donkey Lane after playing for Braintree Town in the Vanarama South and National division after leaving the club in 2017 - He spent some of last season with Kingstonian. Nathan McDonald was another of the players to follow manager Bradley Quinton in 2017 and the popular and talented goalkeeper makes a welcome return to North London. James Potton, a wide midfield player who has played in the Vanarama South for Hemel Hempstead Town, has joined from Royston Town. Scott Thomas also joins from Royston Town - He counts The Tudors, Chesham United, Boreham Wood and St Albans City amongst his former clubs.
Striker Sam Bantick joins after playing for Aveley in the North Division last campaign - He counts Brentwood Town, Coggeshall Town, Concord Rangers, Heybridge Swifts, AFC Hornchurch, AFC Sudbury, Tonbridge Angels and VCD Athletic amongst his former clubs. Whilst with the Swifts he scored in their famous 2017 FA Cup First Round proper game at Exeter City.
Former Kingstonian striker Muhammadu Faal has committed for the 2019/20 campaign. Despite only making five appearances for the club before an injury put an end to his season he became a real fan's favourite netting three goals in five appearances. I expect Faal to be in amongst the goals this season.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA
Since promotion to the Premier Division in 2016 it's been finishes of 16th, 4th (lost in play-off semi-final to Hendon) and 6th last season. Manager Neil Cugley has signed the majority of the squad from last season which will hopefully see a smooth transition into this campaign. He is now the longest serving manager in English football having been in charge for over 20+ years with Invicta.
Midfielder Ronnie Dolan who was gaining some positive reviews for his performances up until an injury in an FA Trophy game against Woking ended his season will return to the squad which is a big boost for the club's hopes this season.
One player who won't be wearing an Invicta shirt this season is former Dagenham & Redbridge player Ade Yusuff who scored 52 goals in just 102 games for the club. He has moved to Vanarama South side Dulwich Hamlet. At only 24 years of age it is thought by many the striker will move back up the football league within the next few seasons - It will interesting to see how he does at Champion Hill.
There is no doubting that last season was the most successful in the club's near 50 year history as they gained national exposure with their Emirates FA Cup First Round appearance against AFC Wimbledon live on BBC television and also finished in 3rd place at Step Three of the non-league ladder which is not bad for a team who were in the Essex Senior League at recent as 2015.
Manager Tom Loizou is rebuilding the squad at Coles Park after many players have departed over the summer including the inspirational Captain Mark Kirby who has joined BetVictor Southern League Premier South Division side Chesham United who are managed by former Potters Bar Town bosses James Duncan and Michael Murray. There is not much news around signings as yet. Their first game on the opening day of the season is at home to Corinthian Casuals.
One of the club's expected to do well this season - the bookmakers currently rate The Urchins as favourites for the title. It will be former Thurrock, Grays Athletic, Gillingham, Barnet and Stevenage boss Mark Stimson's first full season in charge of the Essex club that he joined from step four club Waltham Abbey in November last year. He has been busy adjusting his squad over the summer
Goalkeeper Callum Chafer (to Bowers and Pitsea), Striker Sean Marks (to AFC Sudbury) and defender Alex Bentley have all left Bridge Avenue.
Joe Wright (goalkeeper), Matt Johnson (midfielder) and Mickey Parcell (defender/midfielder) have signed from Enfield Town along with central defender Arthur Lee (from Tonbridge Angels) who made over 50 appearances for the Kent side last season and played a major roll in their success in the play-offs and super play-offs. Rickie Hayles re-joins the club for a fourth spell from East Thurrock United - he has also recently played for Dulwich Hamlet, Welling United and Billiericay Town. He is likely to form what is expected to be formidable centre-back partnership with Lee. Striker Chris Dickson, 34, joins from Vanarama South side Hampton and Richmond Borough - He is vastly counting Sutton United, Chelmsford City, Dulwich Hamlet, Charlton Athletic and Dagenham & Redbridge amongst some of his former clubs.
Striker Danny Uchechi, 29, joins from Cray Wanderers - he started his career with Charlton Athletic and also counts West Ham United, Aberdeen and Boreham Wood amongst his former clubs.
The main news for the club over the summer is the renaming from "AFC Hornchurch" to just "Hornchurch" from now on which many fans of a certain age will prefer as it's the original name of the club which reformed as AFC Hornchurch in 2005.
HORSHAM
What a year it's been for the Sussex club with promotion back to Step Three of the non-league ladder where they will play for the first time since 2012. The Hornets have been homeless since the loss of their Queen Street ground in 2008 where they have since been ground sharing at Worthing, Horsham YMCA and Lancing FC. The club celebrated the official opening of their new 'Camping World Community Stadium' in the town when a crowd of over 1000 people saw them beat League Two side neighbour's Crawley Town.
Manager Dom Di-Paola has adjusted his squad with the departure of goalkeeper Josh Pelling to be replaced by Josh James who joins from Burgess Hill Town for his second spell with the club. The majority of the South Division play-off winning squad has been retained with the additions of Zack Newton (from Welling United) Jared Rance (from Burgess Hill Town) and Lea Dawson (from Cray Valley PM) have also signed. Three players have moved from South Division side Walton Casuals - Malachi Hudson (striker) scored twice on his debut for the club in a friendly against Hartley Wintney has signed along with Alex Kelly (midfielder) and full-back Harry Mills who counts Hampton & Richmond Borough and Walton & Hersham amongst his former clubs.
James McElligott and Tyrell Richardson-Brown and Joey Taylor have also left the club. Joey is the younger brother of Charlton Athletic's Lyle Taylor (himself an ex non-league player with Concord Rangers) and was Horsham's first ever International player having represented Montserrat whilst with the club. He has moved to Staines Town who are playing in the Isthmian South Central Division for this season.
Manager Hayden Bird has made the move to The K's after a successful season with Merstham in 2018/19 where they finished in fifth place of the Premier Division table. He brings with him Assistant Manager Tutu Henriques and coach Kevin D'Arcy along with physio Ryan Valentine.
The club were expected to do well last season under the management of Leigh Dynan who left in February to be replaced by former Hemel Hempstead Town and Billiericay Town boss Dean Brennan (now with Vanarama South side Wealdstone) who left in March to be replaced by Kim Harris. They eventually finished in eighteenth place just four points above the relegation zone!
Only Rob Tolfrey, Sean Clohessy, Leo Chambers, David Fitzpatrick and Dean Inman from last season's squad have returned to pre-season training from last season's squad. It's no surprise to read a huge number of players have followed Bird to The K's
Goalkeeper Amadou Tangara, right back Michael Abnett, left back Ben Harrison, central defender's Ollie Cook and Simon Cooper, midfielder's Tom Kavanagh, Kenny Beaney, Gus Sow, Fabio Saraiva, Dan Bennett and striker Calum Davies have all made the move from Merstham.
Defender Jerry Puemo has joined from Farnborough along with Winger's Youssef Bamba from Walton Casuals and Dan Hector from Whyteleafe. Striker Dan Thompson has moved from Dulwich Hamlet and winger Reece Hall (from Dorking Wanderers) have all signed for The K's also.
Manager Nikki Bull starts his second full season in charge at Fetcham Grove after an impressive 8th place finish last term - this was after a reported cut in the budget prior to Christmas which saw striker Elliott Benyon leave and join Hayes and Yeading United.
Striker Ibrahim Olutade has left after joining the the club from Hanwell Town in October 2018 - He scored 13 goals in his time with The Tanners. He has made the move up to the Vanarama South and joined Maidstone United.
Club Captain Will Salmon (defender), Jerry Nnamani (defender who has made over 350 appearances for the club and is known as Mr Leatherhead), goalkeeper Zak Oualah, midfielders Charlie Hester-Cook (who signed on loan from Woking in January) and Dan Gallagher along with left-back Misha Djmaili and Craig McKee have all committed for the season.
Striker Eddie Dsane has signed after spending last season with Whyteleafe and Maldon & Tiptree. He started his career in the academies of both Crystal Palace and Preston North End before playing for Longford Town and Finns Harp in the League of Ireland. Dsane is only 22 years of age and is a player, i think, who has potential to play higher up the pyramid. Another signing is midfielder Calvin Ekpiteta who has played for a number of clubs including East Thurrock United and Bishop's Stortford.
An respectable eleventh placed finish for Darren Freeman's squad last season after promotion from the South Division in 2018. The former Peacehaven and Telscombe and Whitehawk boss has been in charge at The Dripping Pan since October 2015 has made a number of new signings over the summer.
Zach Fagan, 24, who can play in defence or midfield played in the Arsenal academy until he was 19 years old and then played for Welling United, Braintree Town, Bishop's Stortford, Whitehawk, Farnborough and Hythe Town.
Goalscoring midfielder Bradley Wilson, 22, has joined from Isthmian South side Whyeleafe where he scored 12 goals last season.
With goalkeeper Lewis Carey leaving the club they have signed Billy Collings from their local Premier League neighbour's Brighton and Hove Albion. Collings, 21, who is 6 feet 5 inches tall spent time on loan with Dartford and Hendon whilst with Brighton. He will fight for the number one shirt with Nathan Stroomberg who has been playing in the club's development teams and also on loan with Hassocks and Saltdean United.
Forward Jordy Mongoy steps up from the South East Division where he was with Hastings United last season netting 17 goals - He has also played for Billericay Town and Dagenham & Redbridge. Forward Dan Brown has also signed for a second spell with the club - He was with Horsham YMCA last season where he netted 34 goals in for the Step Five club after suffering an ACL injury in the 17/18 season. Winger Dayshonne Golding has also moved from Hastings United to The Dripping Pan - with pace to burn he can play on either wing so is a very useful addition to Freeman's squad.
Centre back's Frankie Chappell and Tom Day have committed to the club for the season along with Steve Brinkhurst, Leon Redwood and Harry Reed. Midfielder James Hammond who joined the club in 2015 has signed on again - he scored 11 goals in 47 appearances last season.
I think Lewes will have a very good season in 2019/20 and will challenge for the play-offs.
Manager Jay Saunders was in temporary charge at Hartsdown Park for the final few months last team and the former Maidstone United boss did initially leave the club but eventually agreed terms to stay on as permanent boss. Margate did flirt with the relegation zone at times last season but an upturn in form following Saunder's appointment saw them finish 12th eventually.
It's been a busy summer of comings and goings in the Kent town. Saunders has recruited some promising young players from lower down the pyramid. Harrison Hatfull (a great name for headline writers!) has joined after playing for South Division Sittingbourne last season - He can play at right back or in midfield along with Defender Lekan Majoyegbe has joined from Southern Counties East Premier side Chatham Town. 6ft 2inch James Jeffrey, only 18, has played for K Sports in the same division has also signed up - He can play wide or up front, is left footed and has lots of pace.
In addition to these signing playmaker/winger Adem Ramadan, 21, has signed from last season's play-off winner's Tonbridge Angels. Midfielder Connor Wilkins, 20, reunites with his former boss as he played under Saunders at Maidstone United as a youngster - He makes the move from Herne Bay where he had an impressive season last year.
Goalkeeper Jonathan Miles has moved from Vanarama National Division side Ebbsfleet United where he has been since 2015. Centre-Forward Jack Richards, 20, has joined from Maidstone United along with left back Jay Porter who moves from Enfield Town who also counts AFC Hornchurch and Thamesmead Town as his former clubs.
Michael Abnett, a right back, is one of the player's not to follow Hayden Bird from Merstham to Kingstonian - He joins Hartsdown Park after being pursued by a number of other clubs. Ben Swift, Noel Leighton and Jordy Robins have re-signed for the season.
Kudus Oyenuga a pacey and tricky forward with lots of skill arrives from Vanarama South side Welling United where he signed from Dartford in June 2019 so he didn't even play a single game for The Wings and was only on the books at Park View Road for a number of weeks. 26 year old Oyenuga was born in Walthamstow and came through the ranks at Tottenham Hotspur playing on loan at Finnish club MyPa, Bury and St Johnstone before joining Hayes and Yeading United. He then moved North of the border to play for Dundee United* but only made a handful of appearances for the club before joining Cowdenbeath and Boreham Wood on loan. He then played for Hartlepool United, Greenock Morton and Chelmsford City before joining Dartford - He played on loan for Haringey Borough last season.
* He joined The Tangerines with team-mate Callum Butcher who has since played for Burton Albion, Millwall, Mansfield Town and Billericay Town on loan. He re-signed for Dundee United in January 2019
Margate are currently second favourites for the title with the bookmakers.
Frank Wilson has been given the job of Manager for The Moatsiders after the departure of Hayden Bird and almost all of his playing and coaching squad. The former Tooting and Mitcham United boss spent time in a coaching role with Kingstonian towards the end of last team. Needless to say there has been a few signings since Wilson took over!
The youthful Barry Hayles will be Wilson's assistant. He joins from Hellenic League side Windsor FC where at 47 years of age he was regularly playing in the first team as player/coach over the past two seasons.
Full Back Peter Wedgeworth joins from Tooting where he has been for the past three seasons and is a player well known to Wilson.
Central Defender James Richmond had a brief stint with Wilson at Kingstonian last season but previous to that he was with Burgess Hill Town for three seasons.
Antonio Simeone was Wedgeworth's defensive partner with The Terror's last season. He was supporter's and manager's player of the year at Imperial Fields for the 2018/19 campaign.
Right back Fintan Walsh has signed after spending time with Whitehawk - He made his first team debut for Bognor Regis Town when only 16 years old.
Attacking Midfielder Brendan Ocran who started his career with Colchester United before joining Billericay Town - He has also played for Kings Langley, Barking and Welwyn Garden City.
Midfielder Eddie Dines is another player to join from Tooting and Mitcham United where he was a major part of their 16/17 South Division title winning side.
Defender Sinn'Kaye Christie rejoins the club he left in a few years ago to play for Hastings United from where he joined Whitehawk last season.
Attacking Midfielder Ryan Palmer signs from South East Division side Hythe Town - He is another former Tooting player to join his former boss.
Yet another member of the Tooting title squad in Ollie Bennett has joined the club. He spent time with Crystal Palace academy before playing for Greenwich Borough and Sevenoaks Town after leaving The Terrors.
Goalkeeper Matte Pierson joins from Bedfont Sports where he was the managers and player's player of the year.
The new look Merstham side open their season with a difficult home game against the much fancied Hornchurch on Saturday 10th August.
POTTERS BAR TOWN
The main aim for The Scholars last season was to stay up in the Premier Division after promotion in 2017/18. It got a little bit harder with the departure of James Duncan and Michael Murray to Chesham United - Lee O'Leary and Scott Cousins were handed the reigns at Parkfield and they took The Scholars to a 16th place finish after flirting with the relegation zone for sometime. O'Leary is now the sole man in charge after Cousins stepped down and is looking forward to his first full season in charge.
O'Leary will be assisted by former Greenwich Borough and Ashford United assistant manager John Mackie.
The club have signed Matt Nolan from neighbour's Enfield Town. The goalkeeper made a number of stand out performances for The Towner's in 2018/19 and counts Royston Town and Chesham United amongst his former clubs. Midfielder George Craddock has signed having spent time with Bishop's Stortford last season. His former clubs are Northampton Town, Margate, East Thurrock, Heybridge Swifts and Welling and Canvey Island.
George Quarrington-Carter follows Nolan from Donkey Lane on the short trip to Potters Bar Town. He came through the youth ranks at FC Broxbourne Borough.
The club were threatened with relegation due to their ground not being up to the required standard for Step Three football - However thanks to some hard working people behind the scenes there have been two new stands added and the required work done to achieve a C grading which was needed.
WINGATE AND FINCHLEY
2019/20 will be the North London sides ninth season in a row at Step Three of the non-league ladder. Since promotion in 2011 they have finished 13th, 18th, 21st (reprieved from relegation thanks to resignation of Worksop Town from the Northern Premier League), 12th, 13th, 5th, 9th and 19th last season avoiding the relegation zone by just two points to Whitehawk in 20th place.
The 18/19 season was far from stable on the managerial front for the team with Nicky Shorey, Keith Rowland, Glen Little in charge before former boss Dave Norman stepped back into the hot seat in January.
Steve Clark (a former coach and assistant at Essex Senior League side Sporting Bengal United) is the new man in charge and will be assisted by former Wycombe Wanderers and Dagenham & Redbridge player Danny Foster. Norman will be Technical Director as well as continuing his role as Sporting Director for Welsh FAW Championship North and Mid Championship side Rhyl FC.
Reece Beckles-Richards, who joined the club in the summer of 2016, has moved up to the Vanarama South Division with Wealdstone. He played over 150 times for the club.
Of last season's squad the following players have committed - Ahmet Rifat, Shane Gore, Ola Williams, Sean Cronin, Tommy Tejan-Sie, Luke Ifil, Layne Eadie, Alieu Njie, Tanashe Abrahams, Charlie Cole and Rob Laney.
Threece Myles-Meekums has resigned for the South Coast side after spending sometime on loan from Vanrama National Division Bromley last season. He also played for Eastbourne Borough and Bognor Regis Town on loan last term. He originally joined Bromley from Worthing but has found playing time with The Ravens limited.
Another player returning to Woodside Road in Lloyd Dawes who has signed from Eastbourne Borough - In his first spell with the club he played 163 times between 2013 to 2017 before joining Eastbourne. Joe Tennent, a centre-back, joins from South-East Division side Three Bridges - He started his career with Colchester United spending time on loan with Soham Town Rangers.
Midfielder Ben Mendoza, 22, joins after spending time in the USA and counts Bognor Regis as a former club. Also joining is midfielder/forward Mason Doughty, 20, having played for Broadbridge Heath, Three Bridges and Redhill.
Worthing finished in ninth place last season just five points from the play-off zone so will be looking towards a top five finish at least for the 19/20 campaign.
OPENING FIXTURES
Saturday 10th August
Bishop's Stortford v Bognor Regis Town
Bowers & Pitsea v Wingate & Finchley
East Thurrock United v Cheshunt
Folkestone Invicta v Worthing
Haringey Borough v Corinthian Casuals
Horsham v Leatherhead
Kingstonian v Cray Wanderers
Lewes v Enfield Town
Margate v Brightlingsea Regent
Merstham v Hornchurch
Potters Bar Town v Carshalton Athletic
Monday 12th August
Carshalton Athletic v East Thurrock United
Tuesday 13th August
Bognor Regis Town v Horsham
Brightlingsea Regent v Bowers & Pitsea
Cheshunt v Potters Bar Town
Corinthian Casuals v Merstham
Enfield Town v Bishop's Stortford
Hornchurch v Margate
Leatherhead v Haringey Borough
Wingate & Finchley v Kingstonian
Worthing v Lewes
Wednesday 14th August
Cray Wanderers v Folkestone Invicta
Saturday 17th August
Brightlingsea Regent v Merstham
Carshalton Athletic v Bishop's Stortford
Cheshunt v Haringey Borough
Cray Wanderers v Corinthian Casuals
East Thurrock United v Potters Bar Town
Enfield Town v Horsham
Folkestone Invicta v Leatherhead
Kingstonian v Margate
Lewes v Bowers & Pitsea
Wingate & Finchley v Bognor Regis Town
Worthing v Hornchurch
Hayden Bird is the man to take the sleeping giants Ks out of this god forsaken league, wr have suffered too long playing pointless hobby clubs with no support such as Enfield Cuckoos, Bishop Stortfotfld, Carshalton etc. Hornchurch have tried to buy the league before while the likes of Leatherhead and Horsham could not sustain Conf South on their inflated crowds if they did win promotion. The title is coming ti the home of football KINGSTONIAN.
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