AFC Fylde v Solihull Moors
Aldershot Town v Forest Green Rovers
Altrincham v Woking
Boston United v Rochdale
Dagenham & Redbridge v Wealdstone
FC Halifax Town v Barnet
Gateshead v Ebbsfleet United
Maidenhead United v Eastleigh
Oldham Athletic v Braintree Town
Southend United v York City
Yeovil Town v Hartlepool United
FIXTURES OF THE DAY
Aldershot Town v Forest Green Rovers
FGR will play their first non-league game since 2017 when they won the play-off final at Wembley Stadium 3-1 against Tranmere Rovers in front of 18,801. Since then they have had a one season stay in League One in the 22/23 season but two successive relegations have seen The Gloucestershire club in The National League. Mark Cooper (now Yeovil Town boss) was in charge when they were promoted and stayed until 2021 when Rob Edwards (now Luton Town) took over followed by Duncan Ferguson (now Inverness Caledonian Thistle), David Horseman (now first team coach at Bristol Rovers) and Troy Deeney. The experienced Steve Cotterill took over in January but was unable to prevent them dropping out of the football league but their loyal supporters will be hoping he will bring some stability to The New Lawn.
34 year old central defender Ben Tozer will bring huge amounts of experience to FGR's back line after signing from Wrexham over the summer where he made 114 National League and League Two appearances helping the Welsh club to two promotions.
Southend United v York City
A great occasion for the home fans after all the off the field problems of the last few years. Kevin Maher and his coaching team did an amazing job for The Shrimpers last season taking them to 9th place and just outside of the play-offs - without their 10 point deduction they would of qualified for a shot at promotion back to the football league. The club have three new signings in George Wind (21 year old right back from Isthmian Premier Billericay Town), Josh Walker (26 year old striker from Burton Albion) and Joe Gubbins (22 year old central-defender on loan from QPR). Gubbins made 37 League Two appearances for Accrington Stanley last season.
York City avoided relegation by the narrowest of margins last season after the appointment of Adam Hinshelwood who joined from National South Division side Worthing in February. The Minsterman are expected to have a much better season as Hinshelwood puts his stamp of the squad - He has recruited a number of players including striker Ollie Pearce and and right-back Joe Felix from his former club along with goalkeeper Harrison Male from Dorking Wanderers whom played for Worthing prior to his move to Meadowbank.
Southend United have sold over 4000 season tickets so there will be a huge crowd hopefully enjoying some Summer sunshine at Roots Hall. The game will also be shown live on DAZN.
Tamworth v Sutton United
An interesting game at The Lamb Ground as last season's National North Division Champions welcome relegated Sutton United. The Staffordshire side will be underdogs but will be relishing their chance back at non-league's top table since the 13/14 season.
The U's will want to bounce back under the management of Steve Morison who joined them in January and despite an improvement in form couldn't stop them from dropping out of the football league.
The former Cardiff City and Hornchurch boss has made a number of signings over the summer including former Haringey Borough midfielder Siju Odelusi and former Chelmsford City left back Edino Vaz who both join from Vanarama South side Aveley.
Yeovil Town v Hartlepool United
The Glovers return to non-league's top table after a one season stay in the Vanarama South where they won the title comfortably by 11 points from Chelmsford City in second place. Striker Aaron Jarvis has made the move to Huish Park after spending the last two seasons with Torquay United where he scored 27 goals in 64 games.
There will be a familiar face in the opposing dug-out as former Yeovil Manager Darren Sarll is the new boss for The Pools. He left Huish Park to join Woking in March 2022. A stand out signing for Sarll's squad is left winger Adam Campbell who helped Crawley Town to promotion from League Two last season making 42 league appearances and netting 7 goals. The 29 year old was born locally in North Shields and started his career with Newcastle United and prior to his spell with The Red Devils spent time with Gateshead and Darlington amongst other clubs.
VANARAMA NATIONAL NORTH
Brackley Town v Scunthorpe United
Buxton v Leamington
Curzon Ashton v Needham Market
Darlington v Kidderminster Harriers
Hereford v South Shields
King's Lynn Town v Warrington Town
Marine v Oxford City
Peterborough Sports v Chorley
Radcliffe v Scarborough Athletic
Rushall Olympic v Farsley Celtic
Southport v Alfreton Town
Spennymoor Town v Chester
FIXTURES OF THE DAY
Brackley Town v Scunthorpe United
The Saints must be the most consistent and with it the most unluckiest Step Two teams in recent years. Since moving up to The National North in 2013 they have made the play-offs seven times but are still to make the move upwards to Step One. If their is such a thing as the football gods surely they will be looking down on St James Park soon!
BRACKLEY TOWN'S PLAY-OFF RECORD
13/14 - Lost to FC Halifax Town in the final
17/18 -Lost to Harrogate Town in the final
18/19 - Lost to Spennymoor Town in the semi-final
19/20 - Lost to Gateshead in the semi-final
21/22 - Lost to York City in the semi-final
22/23 - Lost to Kidderminster Harriers in final
23/24 - Lost to Boston United in the final
It's a tough start for the Northamptonshire side as they welcome last season's runner's up Scunthorpe United who they beat in the play-off semi-final on penalties after a 0-0 draw at Glanford Park. Brackley Town finished 3rd last season so this is most definitely one of the games of the day.
The Iron have signed centre-forward Carlton Ubaezuonu from Chorley where he scored 15 goals in 44 National North games last season.
Another former Chorley centre-forward has joined Brackley Town from Solihull Moors - Connor Hall scored 39 goals in 88 league and cup games for The Magpies between 2020 to 2023. He spent last season on loan with Brackley where he scored 9 goals in 23 games.
Curzon Ashton v Needham Market
The Marketmen make their debut at Step Two of the non-league ladder after winning the Southern Premier League Premier Central last season. Former West Ham United, Swindon Town, Manchester City and Ipswich Town Midfielder has been in charge at Bloomfields since 2020.
Striker Jamie McGrath will be looking forward to testing himself at a new level of football. He signed for the Suffolk club in 2022 and his 22/23 season was ended with an injury - He netted 15 Southern League goals last season. He scored 56 goals in 34 league and cup games for Suffolk and Ipswich Premier Division side East Bergholt United in the 21/22 season.
Curzon Ashton finished 7th last season and lost to Chorley in the play-off Quarter-Finals.
Marine v Oxford City
Marine made headlines a few years ago playing Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup live on National TV and make their debut in The National League North after promotion via the Northern Premier League play-offs last season. They host Oxford City who were relegated from The National League after just one season in 23/24.
Sam Cox, who was coach at Wealdstone last season and stepped up to Interim Manager when David Noble left the club, is the new man in charge at Oxford City. The Stones won three of their final five games to avoid the drop. He is well known in the local non-league games having played for Boreham Wood, Hayes & Yeading United and Hampton & Richmond Borough amongst other clubs.
Left-Back Jacob Roddy, who spent time on loan with the club last season, has joined on a permanent basis from Charlton Athletic. Centre-Back Cole Kpekawa, 28, will bring some much needed experience at the back having been signed from Bromley. The former St Mirren, Maidnenhead United and Hemel Hempstead Town player also spent a short spell on loan with City last season.
VANARAMA SOUTH
Boreham Wood v Bath City
Chippenham Town v Farnborough
Eastbourne Borough v Chesham United
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Hornchurch
Hemel Hempstead Town v Salisbury
Slough Town v Chelmsford City
St Albans City v Maidstone United
Tonbridge Angels v Weymouth
Torquay United v Enfield Town
Truro City v Dorking Wanderers
Welling United v Aveley
Weston-super-Mare v Worthing
FIXTURES OF THE DAY
Eastbourne Borough v Chesham United
Whoever arranged and organised the fixtures for the South Division has done very well putting three of the four seaside clubs at home on the first day of the season so fans can enjoy a good day out whatever the result which is what it's all about isn't it? The Generals make the trip down to Eastbourne on the back of a wonderful 23/24 campaign where they won the Southern League Premier South. They have made some impressive signings in preparation for their debut season in The National League including 30 year old forward Mitchell Weiss from St Albans City where he has been a first team regular since 2020.
Torquay United v Enfield Town
The Gulls had a terrible time both on and off the pitch last season suffering from financial difficulties which saw them deducted 10 points and finish in 18th place in the table. Happily they are now under the new ownership - The Bryn Consortium (a group of local businessmen) officially took over at Plainmoor in May with former Truro City boss Paul Wotton taking over as Manager with Neil Warnock has also been brought in as Football Advisor.
The home side are 14/1 fourth favourites for the title with the newly promoted visitors rated at 50/1 with many bookmakers after their promotion via the Isthmian Premier Division play-offs. There are a good number of fans travelling down from North London (I'll be one of them!!) to give The Town some support.
Town Manager Gavin MacPherson has made some very impressive signings in the last week with full-back John Oyenuga (Dover Athletic's player of the season for 23/24), Defensive Midfielder Ernaldo Krasniqi (who was with Oxford City last season and has played in the academy at Huddersfield Town and has been capped by Albania at u17 and u19 level), Midfielder Khanya Leshabela (who came through the ranks at Leicester City and has also played for Crewe Alexandra, Shewsbury Town and Cape Town City) and striker Michael Folivi who has been with Chelmsford City, Farnborough and Hemel Hempstead Town in recent seasons and has played in the football league for Colchester United, AFC Wimbledon and Coventry City.
Torquay United will be huge favourites for this game but with football you never know!
Truro City v Dorking Wanderers
Wanderer's Owner and Manager Marc White has been quoted as saying "I don't think anyone has as good an eleven as us, not in a million years" in preparation to the new season after relegation from The National League last campaign. I'm sure every team will be looking forward to playing and possibly putting one over on the Surrey side - something which the highly popular White will also relish I'm sure. Striker Rhys Murphy has joined the club - He helped Yeovil Town to the title last season and the former Southend United, Dagenham & Redbridge and Oldham Athletic player will surely chip in with some goals for The Wanderers.
This will be the Cornish teams first game at their new Truro Sports Hub Ground and a welcome return home for their loyal fans. Former Macclesfield Town, Port Vale, Shrewsbury Town, York City and Hartlepool United boss John Askey has been appointed Manager.
FIVE PLAYERS TO KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR ON OPENING DAY
RUBEN CARVALHO - MAIDENHEAD UNITED
Carvalho had a stand out season for Isthmian League Premier Division side Wingate & Finchley during 23/24 where he scored 23 goals in 47 league and cup games. The highly skilful and tricky winger, 23, was with Enfield Borough (then in the Spartan South Midlands Division One) at the start of the 20/21 season but moved on to the Charlton Athletic u23 side and has also played for Potters Bar Town. He is also adept at free kicks and I'm sure he'll be successful with The Magpies.
SAM ASHFORD - WEALDSTONE
The winger/centre forward has signed for The Stones after spending the 23/24 season with NIFL Premiership side Cliftonville. He was with Scottish Championship side Aye Untied in 22/23 and prior to his spell North of The Border he played in the football league for Crawley Town. He moved to The Red Devils from Hemel Hempstead Town and has also played for a host of Essex non-league clubs including Concord Rangers, Witham Town and Brightlingsea Regent.
PEMI ADEROJU - BOSTON UNITED
The 20 year old striker has joined The Pilgrims on an initial loan period from League One Peterborough United until the end of March 2025. He joined The Posh in January from Biggleswade Town whom he joined in the summer of 2023 and scored 8 in 11 league and cup games. He was with Kempston Rovers prior to this spell. The Posh are well known for picking up some gems from non-league so I'm sure he'll have a great season with the Lincolnshire side and then move onwards and upwards!
MALIQ CADOGAN - KIDDERMINTER HARRIERS
A 20 year old winger who came through the academy ranks at Crystal Palace has joined Harriers on loan from Championship side Swansea City. He was part of The Eagles u18s Premier League South title winning squad in the 20/21 season. Former Hull City boss Phil Brown has stayed with The Harriers despite their relegation from non-league's top division and has signed a two year deal with the club.
AARON BLAIR - MAIDSTONE UNITED
Blair, 24, made his name in the Essex Olympian League with Ongar Town where he scored over 100 goals which attracted the attention of Dagenham and Redbridge to sign him in 2021. Last season he helped Braintree Town to promotion from the South Division scoring 15 goals in 40 league games and 1 goal in the 3 play-off games. I expect him to score lots of goals this season and could start on The Stones trip to St Albans City on the opening day.
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