Another detailed season preview as we focus on summer transfer business across the National league…
By Matty Paddock - 07/07/2023
Posted 3 years ago
IT MAY only be early July, but there have already been some huge transfers in the National League as each side gears up for the new season, writes Shane Wilkinson.
We may have lost the goalscoring prowess of Paul Mullin and Macauley Langstaff, however this season’s headline signing thus far should go some way to replacing the deadly duo. Will Grigg has joined Chesterfield from MK Dons for an undisclosed fee, looking to catch fire and terrify defences, as his famous chant goes. Whilst Grigg is scoring goals, Paul Cook will be looking to Harry Tyrer to keep them out; the shot stopper joining on loan from Everton after a stellar loan spell with National League North Chester last time out.
Another player to step up to non-league’s top tier also joins from Chester. Kurt Willoughby notched 27 goals in all competitions last season, with Oldham Athletic winning a fierce battle for his signature.
Former Chorley man Connor Hall was subject to plenty of interest in January and having seen out the season with Andy Preece’s men, joined Solihull Moors early in the summer . New Moors manager Andy Whing left Banbury United after the season ended, saying he had taken The Puritans as far as they could go. He replaced Neal Ardley, who left Moors shortly before the appointment of Stephen Ward as Director of Football. Harriers will come up against a familiar face when they take on Moors; former loan man Kyle Morrison opting to join the Damson Park outfit after leaving AFC Fylde.
Sticking with the National League North winners, Adam Murray wasted no time in looking back at the level from whence they came, securing the signature of King’s Lynn Town talisman Gold Omotayo and exciting Chorley winger Jonathan Ustabasi. Alongside the retention of key player Nick Haughton, The Coasters will be aiming high on their return to the top table.
Altrincham’s Chris Conn-Clarke was one of the stars of last season having joined on loan from Fleetwood Town. Although it is often said that you should never fall in love with a loan player, Phil Parkinson saw fit to do anything for love – in this case paying a club record transfer fee for the central midfielder. Heralded as a “blockbuster transfer coup”, Conn-Clarke’s arrival is being treated as a statement of intent by an excited fanbase.
Also making a loan move permanent is veteran Tony Craig at Dorking Wanderers. Now 38, the centre-half boasts over 600 appearances in a 20-year career taking in the likes of Brentford and Millwall.
Enzio Boldewijn is no stranger to this level, catching the eye at Notts County before spending last season at League Two outfit Sutton United. Released in the summer, the Dutchman has landed at Eastleigh. With fellow new man Paul McCallum, who has joined from Dagenham and Redbridge, The Spitfires certainly appear to possess the firepower to fly high this season.
Elsewhere, newly promoted Ebbsfleet United have added EFL experience to their ranks, with former Walsall captain Hayden White joining on a one-year deal. Joining him is Mathias Fanimo, a flying winger who was once recorded as the fastest footballer on the planet. A former West Ham United trainee, he has spent most of his career in Europe.
Hartlepool United have strengthened their ranks ahead of their return to this level by securing the signature of experienced goalkeeper Pete Jameson on loan from Harrogate Town. With over 170 appearances at National League and National League North level for Blyth Spartans and York City, Jameson is no stranger to non-league football. Joining him is top scorer for FC Halifax Town last season and former Harrier, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe.
The Shaymen moved quickly to secure a replacement though, bringing in former AFC Wimbledon man Aaron Cosgrave, who spent part of last season with Kings Lynn Town.
Released in 2006 by York City, David Stockdale has gone on to enjoy an excellent career in the EFL and Premier League. This summer, he goes back to where it all began 20 years since graduating from The Minstermen’s Academy. Quevin Castro has also checked in with Michael Morton’s men in a much heralded move. The 6’4 creative midfielder was plucked from Bury Town by West Bromwich Albion in 2021 and spent time on loan with Notts County and Gateshead last season. Still only 21, he made two appearances for WBA during his time at The Hawthorns and was once looked at by the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea. Will he be the next cab off the National League talent rank?
This article is about: League
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