Non-League's top division kicks off on Saturday 5th August with last season's play-off loser's Chesterfield rated as 9/4 favourites for the title with bet365.com. The next closest team are Oldham Athletic at 9/1!
Here I take a look at some of the stand out and interesting signings made by the Vanarama National League sides so far in the build up to the 23/24 season. The list doesn't include ever signing made but it does show there has been some very impressive ones made including Will Grigg and Dipo Akinyemi!
1) GOLD OMOTAYO - AFC FYLDE
The 29 year old Swiss born striker moves to The Coasters after a very successful two seasons with Kings Lynn Town. He scored 36 goals in 90 league and cup games during his two season spell with The Linnets. He was with FC Zurich as a youngster before playing for lower league FC Schlieren and FC Westwill-Bonstetten. A move to England in 2017 saw him scored 9 goals in 16 games for then National League South side Whitehawk in the 17/18 season. He moved on to Bury in 2018 who were then a football league side but was only able to make 13 League Two appearances before a short loan move to Maidstone United and a permanent move to Yeovil Town in 2019. He then played for FC Halifax Town, Gloucester City and Wrexham before joining Kings Lynn Town. Has 13 football league appearances to his name.
2) CIAN HARRIES - ALDERSHOT TOWN
A 26 year old centre-back who joins after spending the 22/23 campaign with League Two side Swindon Town. His playing time with The Robins was limited to just three league appearances. He started his career in the Coventry City academy becoming a full time professional with The Sky Blues in 2015. He moved on to Swansea City in 2017 who at the time were a Premier League club. Whilst with The Swans he spent time on loan with Eredivisie side Fortuna Sittard before moving to Bristol Rovers in 2019. He has been capped by Wales at u17, u19, u20 and u21 level. Harries has made 61 football league appearances.
3) JOSH STOKES - ALDERSHOT TOWN
The 19 year old attacker signs from Isthmian North Division play-off winner's AFC Sudbury where he was a real fan's favourite. He was released by Ipswich Town at the age of 16 and subsequently joined AFC Sudbury making his debut in December 2021. He scored 16 goals last season and was name Supporter's Player of the Year. A fantastic move for a very talented young player.
4) JUSTIN DONAWA - ALTRINCHAM
The Bermudan International joins Alty after a three season spell with Solihull Moors where he scored 7 goals in 64 National League games. Has also played for Darlington in the National North Division. Has also represented Somerset Trojans in Bermuda along with Dartmouth Big Green and Black Rock FC in the USA. The pacey winger has 22 caps and 3 goals for his home country.
5) JUSTIN AMALUZOR - ALTRINCHAM
Another pacey winger joins Altrincham. The 26 year old spent last season with Aldershot Town where he scored 8 goals in 41 National League games. The Shots finished in 18th place just behind Alty in 17th place. Has also played for Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership, Maidstone United, Braintree Town, Bognor Regis Town, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Hemel Hempstead Town, Hayes & Yeading and Barnet.
6) CHRIS CONN-CLARKE - ALTRINCHAM
A stand out singing for what was is reported a club record fee. The 21 year old midfielder was born in Northern Ireland where he played for Glentoran moving to Burnley in 2018. He moved on to Fleetwood Town in 2021 and spent time on loan with Altricham in 21/22 where he played 2 league games. It was in 22/23 when he scored 10 goals in 32 games whilst in his second loan when he became a firm fan's favourite at Moss Lane.
7) SAM ROSCOE - ALTRINCHAM
Another impressive signing for Phil Parkinson as the 25 year old 6ft 5in central defender joins from Linfield who were runner's up in The NIFL Premiership last season. He was born in Manchester but came through the academy ranks at Aberdeen where he was a full time professional from 2016 to 2019. He played for Alloa Athletic on loan before a permanent move to Ayr United whom he joined Linfield from in 2021.
8) ZAK BRUNT - BARNET
The 21 year old attacking midfielder joins for an undisclosed free from Sheffield United. He spent last season on loan with The Bee's rival's Boreham Wood and also spent time with Southend United and Notts County whilst at Brammall Lane. As a youngster he played for a large number of club's academies such as Aston Villa, Manchester City and Manchester United. He also had trials in Spain with Villareal, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid!
9) CALLUM STEAD - BARNET
Manager Dean Brennan will be hoping the 23 year old centre-forward can transfer his from for Brackley Town in the Vanarama North to Non-League's top division. He scored 13 goals last season along with winning the Managers, Player's and Supporter's player of the season aware with The Saints. Started his career with Biggleswade Town before moving to Welwyn GC and Hitchin Town. He had a short spell with South Shields in 2021 before returning to Top Field where he moved to Kettering Town in February 2022.
10) TIMMY ABRAHAM - BOREHAM WOOD
22 year old striker who spent his youth career with Charlton Athletic and Fulham before being a full time professional at Craven Cottage from 2019 to 2022. He spent time on loan with Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, Raith Rovers and Newport County before moving to League Two side Walsall. He played on loan for Oldham Athletic in non-league's top division last season where he scored twice in 3 starts and 12 sub appearances. He has predominantly been used a substitute throughout his career making only 5 Football League and 3 National League starts in his playing career so far. He has signed a two year contract at Meadow Park so Manager Luke Garrard has clearly seen some potential.
11) TOM WHELAN - BOREHAM WOOD
The 28 year old highly experienced midfielder arrives in Hertfordshire from Chesterfield. He made 32 appearances in non-league's top division last season for The Spireites as well as Aldershot Town and Solihull Moors on loan. Has also played for Salisbury. Yeovil Town, Chippenham Town, Weymouth and Eastleigh.
12) KWESI APPIAH - BOREHAM WOOD
32 year old forward joins from League Two side Crawley Town where his playing time was limited last season spending time on loan with Colchester United where he scored 3 goals in 10 league and cup games. He did score 12 goals in 29 league and cup games in 21/22 for The Red Devils. He started his career with Ebbsfleet United and then Peterborough United. He didn't break into the first team squad with The Posh playing on loan with Weymouth and Kettering Town. He dropped down to Thurrock then in the National South division and then in the 11/12 season scored 22 goals in 24 games for Isthmian Premier side Margate. He joined Crystal Palace in 2012 but his game time with the South London was limited. He played for Aldershot Town, Yeovil Town, Cambridge United, Notts County, AFC Wimbledon, Reading and in Norway for Viking before a permeant move to AFC Wimbledon in 2017. He also played for Indian Super League side North East United in 20/21.
13) JOSH PASSLEY - BROMLEY
The defender joins The Ravens for an undisclosed fee after spending the last two seasons with Havant & Waterlooville. The 28 year old started his career with Fulham and had loan spells with Shrewsbury Town and Portsmouth before a full time move to Dagenham & Redbridge who were a League Two side at the time. He went on to play for Whitehawk and Dover Athletic before his move to The Hawks. Has made 56 football league appearances during his career.
14) WILL GRIGG - CHESTERFIELD
The play-off final runner's up have made the stand out signing of striker Will Grigg for an undisclosed fee from MK Dons. He will reunite with his former Manager Paul Cook who was in charge of Wigan Athletic when the Northern Irish International had his most prolific spell in front of goal. Now 32 year old he has also played for Walsall, Brentford, Sunderland (they paid £3,000,000 for his services in 2019) and Rotherham United. He started his career in the Midland Alliance with Stratford Town. He has played 50 games in the Championship scoring 9 goals and 115 goals in 388 League One games.
15) TOM NAYLOR - CHESTERFIELD
A midfielder/centre back with huge amounts of experience. The 32 year old joins from Wigan Athletic where he had been for two seasons - He made 36 Championship appearances for The Latics last season. He has also played for Mansfield Town, Belper Town, Alfreton Town, Derby County, Bradford City, Grimsby Town, Newport County, Cambridge United, Burton Albion and Portsmouth. He has been a first team regular for The Brewers, Pompey and The Latics since 2015.
16) TOM EASTMAN - DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE
The 6ft 3in 31 year old central defender joins The Daggers after over a decade with Colchester United. He spent the second half of the 22/23 campaign on loan with Harrogate Town. He has played in over 400 football league games so brings with him a wealth of experience to Ben Streven's squad.
17) TONY CRAIG - DORKING WANDERERS
Not a new signing as such as the former Millwall defender spent February to the end of the season on loan with Marc White's side last season. It's no coincidence that his arrival at Meadowbank saw a upturn in form for The Wanderers which ultimately saw them move away from the drop zone and stay in the division. The 38 year old has signed a two year permanent contract with the club. He has made over 550 football league appearances during his career.
18) JAEVON DYER - DORKING WANDERS
A really interesting signing made by Marc White. The 19 year old winger moves up from Step Six of the non-league ladder where he played for Epsom and Ewell last season helping them to a runner's up finish in the Southern Combination Division One. He score both goals in their play-off final defeat of Wick FC. He is a product of the famous South-London based Kinetic Academy. He has already impressed for The Wands coming off the bench in their pre-season friendly games against Walton & Hersham and Leatherhead.
19) HARRISON MALE - DORKING WANDERERS
Male has been Worthing's number one since joining the south-coast club in 2021 and now makes the move up from Step Two to Step One. He is a graduate of the Leeds United academy where he also played on loan with Tadcaster Albion and Gateshead. Now aged 22 he was capped for England at u15 and u16 level.
20) AIDEN BARLOW - EASTLEIGH
A former Manchester United player who spent the last two seasons with Doncaster Rovers where he made 41 League One and League Two appearances. A left sided midfielder who was capped at u17 and u18 level for England. Now aged 23 he spent time on loan in Norway with Tromso whilst at Old Trafford.
21) SOLOMAN NWABUOKEI - EASTLEIGH
I first saw Soloman play for Enfield Borough in 2016 as a 20 year old. He scored a hat-trick in their Step 7 Spartan South Midlands League Division game against Totternhoe - see link below. It's been great to see his career move upwards since then - He played for Biggleswade Town, St Albans City and Woking before moving to Barrow AFC in League Two last season where he only played in 8 league and cup games. He moved back to Woking on loan where since 2021 he has made 58 National League appearances.
22) LEE HODSON - EASTLEIGH
The 31 year old right-back who joins after his contract with Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock expired at the end of last season. Lee started his career with Watford where he 83 Championship appearance between 2008 to 2013. He has since played for Brentford (loan), MK Dons, Kilmarnock (loan), Rangers, St Mirren (loan), Gillingham, St Mirren (loan), Hamilton Academical (loan) and Partick Thistle (loan) as well as gaining 24 full International caps for Northern Ireland.
23) ENZIO BOLDEWIJN - EASTLEIGH
Another impressive signing for The Spitfires. The 30 year old winger has been with League Two side Sutton United since 2021 where he has been a firm fixture in their first team line up making 84 league appearances. He counts Notts Couty and Crawley Town as former clubs as well as Almere City, Den Bosch and Utrecht in the Netherlands where he was born.
24) JAKE TAYLOR - EASTLEIGH
Capped at u17, u19 and u21 level for Wales as well as one appearance at full International level the 31 year old midfielder joins from League Two side Stevenage where he made 85 football league appeearances in the last two seasons. He has also played for Motherwell, Leyton Orient, Crawley Town, Cheltenham Town, Exeter City, Aldershot Town and Reading during his career. 31 appearances at Championship level and over 200 at League One and League Two levels.
25) MATTHIAS FANIMO - EBBSFLEET UNITED
The Fleet return to the National League after three seasons spell in the South Division and have improved their already impressive squad - they could be the surprise team of the season?
They have recruited speedy winger Matthias Fanimo, 29, who was a full time professional with West Ham United from 2011 to 2015 before joining Bishop's Stortford, Eastleigh and Margate. He also spent time on loan with Tranmere Rovers on loan from The Hammers. He moved to Slovenian Second League side Drava Ptuj in January 2018 where he scored an impressive 19 goals in 29 games. He then went on to sign for Bosnian Premier League side Mladost Doboj Kakanj in January 2019 before FK Sarajevo paid a believed fee of 50,000 euros to sign him in July 2020. He was part of the starting XI who won the 2021 Bosnian Cup Final with Sarajevo. He went on to play in Croatia for Slaven Belupo and then back in Slovenia for Koper. As a youngster he was capped by England at u16, u17 and u18 level.
26) DAVID AMOO - EBBSFLEET UNITED
The 32 year old winger/forward brings plenty of experience with him to The Kuflink Stadium. He spent last season with Stevenage and Crewe Alexandra in League Two only making 12 league appearances in total. Amoo was born in South London and began his career as a youth with Millwall but as a 16 year old signed for Liverpool in 2008 where he helped their u18s get to the FA Youth Cup Final in 2009. His one and only first team appearance was in a 2010 UEFA Europa League Third QR against FK Rabotnicki in Macedonia. He spent time on loan with MK Dons, Hull City and Bury before leaving Anfield for Preston North End in 2012. He has since played for Tranmere Rovers, Carlisle United, Partick Thistle, Cambridge United and Port Vale before the 22/23 campaign. He has over 300 football league appearances to his name as well as 25 in the Scottish top tier whilst with Partick Thistle in the 16/17 season.
27) OUSSEYNOU CISSE - EBBSFLEET UNITED
The defensive midfielder, 32, joins after making 41 National League appearances for Eastleigh last season - The Spitfires finished in 9th place narrowly missing out on a play-off place. Cisse has five International Caps for Mali which came in 2015 and 2016. He started his career in French second tier playing for Amiens and Dijon before a move to Spain to play for Rayo Vallecano where he spent one season of which half was spent on loan to Belgian side Waasland-Beveren. He returned to the French Second Tier with Tours in 2016 before a move to England and the MK Dons in 2017. He has since played for Gillingham, Leyton Orient and Oldham Athletic making over 100 football league appearances.
28) HAYDEN WHITE - EBBSFLEET UNITED
Another player with a huge amount of experience. The 28 year old central defender was born in Greenwich and have over 200 football league appearances to his name playing for Walsall, Mansfield Town, Peterborough United, Blackpool, Notts County, Bury, Carlisle United and Bolton Wanderers.
29) JACK WAKELY - EBBSFLEET UNITED
The 22 year old central defender joins on a season long loan from League One side Wycombe Wanderers where he made just three football league appearances last season. He came through the academy ranks at Chelsea being a full time pro at Stamford Bridge from 2018 to 2021 spending time on loan with Basingstoke Town and Brighton & HA before his move to Wycombe Wanderers in 2021. He made 7 National League appearances for Maidenhead United during the 21/22 season.
30) RYAN GALVIN - FC HALIFAX TOWN
22 year old left-back joins from Sheffield Wednesday. He was unable to break into the first team with the League One play-off winners after a move from Wigan Athletic where he started his career. He spent some of the 21/22 season on loan with National North side Gloucester City and last season with Maidstone United in the National League where he made 28 league and cup appearances.
31) KANE THOMPSON-SUMMERS - FC HALIFAX TOWN
22 year old left sided midfielder who played for Tottenham Hotspur as a youth and then Birmingham City u18s and u23s before spending last season in the National North with Hereford FC. Also made 11 appearances on loan for Woking in 2021.
32) ARCHIE MAIR - GATESHEAD
The 22 year old goalkeeper arrives on season long loan from Norwich City having carved his name into Notts County history last season. He only made five appearances for The Magpies but was brought on as a substitute in the 120th minute of their play-off final game against Chesterfield at Wembley Stadium saving two penalties in the shoot out to help them return to the football league.
33) AIDEN RUTLEDGE - GATESHEAD
I love seeing players moving upwards and hopefully the signing of Gateshead born striker Aiden Rutledge will be one that is highly successful. Rutledge scored an amazing total of 61 goals in 43 appearances for Northern League Division Two side Birtley Town last season who were promoted to Division One via the play-offs. He previously played for Gateshead Leam Rangers on the Wearside League where he netted 49 goals in 60 games over two seasons.
34) JORDAN HUNTER - GATESHEAD
Another player to move upwards from Northern Premier League Premier Division champions South Shields. The former Liverpool and Sunderland academy defender is 23 years of age.
35) CHRIS WREH - HARTLEPOOL UNITED
The USA born striker made 13 starts and 14 sub appearances for Southend United in the National League last season scoring 4 goals. He had moved to Roots Hall after an impressive season with Banbury United in 21/22 scoring 23 goals and 16 assists.
36) EMMANUEL DIESERUVWE - HARTLEPOOL UNITED
Scored 13 National League goals for FC Halifax Town last season. Prior to that he scored 5 goals in 13 games for Grimsby Town helping them to promotion to the football league in the 21/22 season. Was with Salford City from 2017 to 2021 and also helped them to promotion to the football league. Started his career with Sheffield Wednesday and has also played for Chesterfield and Kidderminster Harriers.
37) PETE JAMESON - HARTLEPOOL UNITED
Reunites with his former York City boss John Askey. He made 89 National North appearances for The Minstermen between 2019 to 2022 before a move into the football league where he made 27 League Two appearances for Harrogate Town last season. The 30 year old arrives on loan having also played for Blyth Spartans and Darlington.
38) GERRY McDONAGH - KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS
25 year old centre-forward who stands at 6tft 3inches. He came through the ranks at Nottingham Forest and has also played for a number of clubs on loan and a permanent basis including Wrexham, Cambridge United, Tranmere Rovers, Barnsley, Aldershot Town, Tamworth, FC Halifax Town, Kettering Town, Cover Rangers, Scunthorpe United and Eastleigh. Capped 5 times for the Republic of Ireland at u17 level. Has 13 goals in 104 league appearances across League Two, National League, National League North and Scottish Championship.
39) KEIRAN PHILLIPS - KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS
20 year old striker who came through the academy ranks at Bristol Rovers signs from National League North side Gloucester City where he netted 14 goals in 31 league games last season. Has also spent time on loan in the non-league game with Chippenham Town, Dorchester Town and Swindon Supermarine.
40) HARRY PARSONS - MAIDENHEAD UNITED
20 year old striker who joins from Swindon Town where he made 17 League One and Two appearances from 2019 to 2023. He spent most of last season on loan with Banbury United, Chippenham Town and Farnborough where he scored 9 goals in 26 games at Step Two of the non-league ladder.
41) CHARLIE RAGLAN - OLDHAM ATHLETIC
A central defender who has been with League One side Cheltenham Town since 2019 making 168 league and cup appearances. Has also played in the football league with Port Vale, Chesterfield and Oxford United.
42) JOSH LUNDSTROM - OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Scooped Altrincham's Player's, Supporter's and Manager's player of the season award for 22/23. The 24 year old midfielder came through the ranks at Crewe Alexandra playing on loan at a number of non-league clubs before his move to Moss Rose last summer.
43) PIERRE FONKEU - OXFORD CITY
Scored 11 goals in 50 league and cup games for National South side Dartford last season and has also played for Hemel Hempstead Town and Weymouth in England. The 26 year old forward was born in Belgium and was in the academy ranks of both Club Brugge and Norwich City. Also represented RC Lens II in France and Beroe in Bulgaria.
44) TAFARI MOORE - OXFORD CITY
The full back spent 22/23 with St Albans City and 20/21 with Hendon. He is a product of the Arsenal academy and was capped by England at u16, u17, u18, u19 and u20 level. Now aged 26 he has also played in the football league for Plymouth Argyle, Wycombe Wanderers and Colchester United in the football league.
45) ADAM CLAYTON - ROCHDALE
34 year old midfielder who started his career with Manchester City in the academy sides and as a professional between 2008 to 2010. He moved to Leeds United and went to play for Peterborough United, MK Dons, Huddersfield Town, Middlesborough, Birmingham City, Doncaster Rovers and Bradford City. He drops down into non-league for the first time in his career which has seen his make over 400 football league appearances.
46) KWAKU ODUROH - ROCHDALE
Began his career with Manchester City before signing for League One side Derby County last summer. The 20 year old defender has moved to Spotland on a season long loan.
47) MOE SHUBBAR - ROCHDALE
19 year old forward/winger who was born in Sweden. Began his career with Edgware Town before spending the 22/23 season with League Two side Crawley Town, where he went on loan to Worthing and Slough Town.
48) CONNOR HALL - SOLIHULL MOORS
Hall started his career with Sheffield United spending time on loan with Sheffield, Mickleover Sports and Woking before moving to Bolton Wanderers where he spent time on loan with Accrington Stanley and Chorley before a very short stint with Woking. A striker by trade his career never really took off before he joined Chorley in 2020 where he has netted 43 goals in 98 games.
49) CHARLIE BARKER - WEALDSTONE
Barker signs for The Stones in a permanent basis following a very successful loan spell during the 22/23 season. The 20 year old defender had been with Charlton Athletic since 2020 and prior to that in their academy system.
50) GREG TAYLOR - WOKING
Joins The Cards after a decade long spell in the football league with Cambridge United. Has also played in the National League for Kettering Town, Darlington and Luton Town. The central defender started his career with Northampton Town.
51) ROBBIE WILLMOTT - WOKING
A winger with a huge amount of experience playing in League Town and non-league's top division. Has been with Newport County since 2017 and some of last season on loan with Walsall. Counts Cambridge United, Bishop's Stortford, Luton Town, Ebbsfleet United, Eastleigh and Chelmsford City.
52) DIPO AKINYEMI - YORK CITY
A signing which will create some headlines as the former Stevenage, Dulwich Hamlet and Welling United striker joins for an undisclosed fee from Ayr United where he got 24 goals and 11 assists in 45 appearances and was named as Scottish Championship player of the season.
53) TYLER CORDNER - YORK CITY
The 24 year old central defender made 45 starts for Aldershot Town last season and netted an impressive 8 goals. He joins The Minstermen for an undisclosed fee. He started his career with AFC Bournemouth and has also played for Havant & Waterlooville, Ebbsfleet United, Scunthorpe United, Southend United and Weymouth.
54) FINLAY BARNES - YORK CITY
Moves up to Step One after impressing with Step Three side Leiston for the last few years. The midfielder, aged 22, hit 11 league goals for the Suffolk side last season. He has also played for Norwich United.
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