23-24 National League Preview – Part 1

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HARRIERS are preparing to battle against all-new opposition in the National League during 2023-24.

With only AFC Fylde immediately familiar to the Reds following their promotion last season, there are plenty of fresh challenges ahead for Russ Penn’s men.

We start our preview of the league season with Shane Wilkinson’s look at how each team in the 2023-24 National League teams performed last time around, including teams coming up into Step 1 and those who’ve come down:

AFC Fylde
Joining Harriers in promotion from National League North, AFC Fylde were confirmed as champions on the final day of the season by two points. Nick Haughton’s 26 goals saw him finish as the North’s Golden Boot winner.

Aldershot Town
It was a tumultuous campaign for The Shots, who managed to finish five points above the drop zone despite using three managers. Mark Molesley only lasted until October before being replaced by Ross McNeilly. King’s Lynn manager Tommy Widdrington was then headhunted in April to secure their Step 1 status.

Altrincham
Phil Parkinson’s men finished 17th, eight points clear of the drop zone in their first ever season as a full time professional outfit. Having successfully negotiated the difficult transition to full time football, Alty will be hoping for a more fruitful 23-24 campaign.

Barnet
Widely tipped to struggle, Dean Brennan’s Bees buzzed their way into fifth place, aided by Nicke Kabamba’s 19 league goals. Their quest for promotion fell short, losing out to Boreham Wood in the Play-Off Eliminator by the odd goal in three.

Boreham Wood
The oddsmakers got this one right in pre-season; predicted to finish sixth, Luke Garrard’s men did exactly that. Seeking to reach the promised land of the EFL for the first time, they fell to Notts County in the Play-Off Semi-Finals after extra time in an instant classic, heartbreakingly being pegged back with the last kick of normal time before losing it with the last kick of the game. Former Brackley Town striker, and scourge of Harriers in seasons past, Lee Ndlovu, proved he was more than up to the step up to the National League, registering 14 times in all competitions.

Bromley
Rounding out the play-off places were Andy Woodman’s side. A victory from behind in the Play-Off Eliminator against Woking set up another semi final cracker. Michael Cheek’s 99th minute equaliser, his 17th goal of the season, took Chesterfield to extra time but the young side were unable to prevail.

Chesterfield
Defeated on penalties in the Play-Off Final against Notts County at Wembley, Paul Cook’s men eventually cemented their status as “best of the rest”. The Spireites will come to Aggborough this season for the first time since October 2000, with the first meeting between the two sides being only the fourth ever.

Dagenham & Redbridge
Comfortably finishing in upper mid table, The Daggers were another side who changed managers partway through the season; Ben Strevens replacing Daryl McMahon in March.

Dorking Wanderers
Playing at Step 1 for the first time in their history, Dorking finished in 16th place above some big names of non-league football. Rather fitting for a side who, led by the enigmatic Marc White, have no qualms in shaking up the status quo. Met Harriers in the FA Trophy last season.

Eastleigh
Tipped to just escape relegation, Lee Bradbury led The Spitfires to a credible ninth placed finish, just four points outside the play-offs. Boasting the fourth best home form in the league, they were let down by their bottom six away form and were the highest placed team to finish with a negative goal difference, despite Danny Whitehall’s 12 league goals.

Ebbsfleet United
Winners of the National League South at a canter, thanks to the goals of Dominic Poleon, Dennis Kutrieb’s side were a privilege to watch. Favouring a heavily attacking possession based style, they plundered 110 league goals as they were crowned champions by 20 points.

Gateshead
It’s fair to say that there was plenty of concern for The Heed as the season started having lost both Cedwyn Scott and Macauley Langstaff from the side that had claimed the National League North title in 21-22. Credit Mike Williamson and his staff, then, as he led the side to 14th position in the table and clear of any real danger.

FC Halifax Town
After Pete Wild left to join Barrow in May 2022, there was some worry around The Shay. His successor, Chris Millington, allayed those fears and led The Shaymen to an upper mid table position.

Hartlepool United
The Pools will be making their return to the National League in 23-24 after two seasons away following relegation from League Two. In truth, it always looked likely having spent just over half of the season in the drop zone and only reached a highest position of 20th.

Maidenhead United
It was a nerve-jangling end to the season for Maidenhead who faced the spectre of relegation on the final day. Despite a crushing 4-0 defeat to Gateshead, Torquay United could only draw to champions Wrexham, securing safety by just two points.

Oldham Athletic
The first former Premier League side to play National League football, The Latics finished 12th in their maiden non-league campaign under the stewardship of David Unsworth.

Oxford City
The second side promoted from the National League South, The Hoops will play Step 1 football for the first time in their 141 year history. Their play-off journey concluded with a comprehensive dispatching of St Albans City, racing into a 4-0 half time lead.

Rochdale
After 102 years as a Football League club, The Dale finished bottom of the 92 to slip into the clutches of the National League. It was a sorry campaign for this famous football club, capping off what has been a few years of struggle.

Solihull Moors
Moors finished 15th thanks to a poor end of the season when it looked like they had a real shot at crashing the play-off picture. The sale of Ryan Barnett to Wrexham and the shock loan of Andrew Dallas to Chesterfield in the winter window caused concern and subsequent events have raised more questions than answers at the time of writing.

Southend United
Amid a backdrop of financial uncertainty, transfer embargos and boardroom unrest, it could be said that The Shrimpers did well to finish the season let alone narrowly miss out on the play-offs, partly thanks to a run of seven consecutive defeats in March. Having fought off numerous winding up orders, perhaps the biggest honour for this once-proud club last season was that they still exist.

Wealdstone
Tipped to finish bottom of the pile, Wealdstone confounded their critics to finish 13th. Their third season at this level, they have continually improved – this was their highest league finish in 36 years. The Stones also broke their attendance record at Grosvenor Vale in March, with over 3000 in attendance for their game against Barnet.

Woking
Having flown somewhat under the radar, Darren Sarll’s Cards finished fourth last season, losing out to Bromley in the play-off eliminator. Rhys Browne’s 20 league goals fuelled their promotion push and they will be looking to go again once more this year; only this time very much on the radar.

York City
The Minstermen enjoyed a Harriers-esque run to the play-offs and ultimately promotion in 21-22 to secure their place at the top table of non league football in 22-23. The man who led them there, John Askey, was shockingly sacked in November with his side sitting 12th. His replacement, David Webb, lasted only two months; the shortest permanent tenure of any York City manager in history. Under Michael Morton, they finished 19th, just three points clear of the drop.

 

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