2017/18 National League North

[DarkSithLord]

We now know the constitution of next years National North and it looks another tough and competitive division

Subject to appeals and the AGM Cup the following are National North members next year

AFC Telford United
Alfreton Town
Blyth Spartans
Boston United
Brackley Town
Bradford Park Avenue
Chorley
Curzon Ashton
Darlington
FC United of Manchester
Gainsborough Trinity
Harrogate Town
Kidderminster Harriers
Leamington
North Ferriby United
Nuneaton Town
Salford City
Southport
Spennymoor Town
Stockport County
Tamworth
York City

Welcome to Southport,York,North Ferriby,Leamington,Blyth and Spennymoor

Certainly more of a Conference North this year!

 

[DarkSithLord]

I will start things off with some breaking news from Alfreton.

Big chances afoot at the club and not before time.

Reportedly Russ O Neil and player/assistant and club legend Paul Clayton have left the club.

Absolutely gutted to see both leave as they are absolute legends, great blokes and love the club. However I think its the right move. I think a new start and a clean slate is needed. Looks we are finally leaving the Nicky Law era behind.

No comment from the club at this time. "New investment a new manager and the official retained list will be announced in "around 10 days time".

 

[Sparrow]

Hahaha

 

[Andy Harrier]

Kidderminster Town

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Think you needed them changes DSL, I had you as probably favorites for the drop in your current state. I think in its current state the clubs needed the biggest overhaul will be Telford, Gainsborough Boston and Alfreton, the positive for them clubs is maybe Brackley who were in same place last season and look where they finished this.

Personally i think league looks weaker, but summer could change things, as mentioned on other thread is going to depend on numerous factors.

Curzon summer is mostly of who they keep than who they bring in, lose the wrong couple of players we can easily be bottom 5 battling to survive, keep most of the team and should be comfortable.

 

[Minstermen central]

Strangely looking forward to this season.8 new grounds to visit and actually got a proper manager.
Chairman has promised top 3 budget.
Saying that we had a top 5 budget this year and got relagated,but according to mr McNamara it wasn't his fault.

 

[DarkSithLord]

This is my guess at the Christmas fixtures. A few surprises in there. Any other thoughts?

Telford v Kidderminster
Alfreton v Darlington
Blyth v Spennymoor
Boston v Gainsborough
Bradford PA v Harrogate
Chorley v Southport
Curzon v FC United
Stockport v Salford
Leamington v Nuneaton
North Ferriby v York
Tamworth v Brackley

 

[DarkSithLord]

Think you needed them changes DSL, I had you as probably favorites for the drop in your current state. I think in its current state the clubs needed the biggest overhaul will be Telford, Gainsborough Boston and Alfreton, the positive for them clubs is maybe Brackley who were in same place last season and look where they finished this.

Personally i think league looks weaker, but summer could change things, as mentioned on other thread is going to depend on numerous factors.

Curzon summer is mostly of who they keep than who they bring in, lose the wrong couple of players we can easily be bottom 5 battling to survive, keep most of the team and should be comfortable.

I completely agree. Nice to see Wayne be strong and make a decision. Very rare for him to sack a manager.

Now confirmed - http://www.alfretontownfc.com/news/Alfreton-Town-part-ways-with-manager-Russ-O’Neill-3252.htm

 

[ForzaCounty]

This is my guess at the Christmas fixtures. A few surprises in there. Any other thoughts?

Telford v Kidderminster
Alfreton v Darlington
Blyth v Spennymoor
Boston v Gainsborough
Bradford PA v Harrogate
Chorley v Southport
Curzon v FC United
Stockport v Salford
Leamington v Nuneaton
North Ferriby v York
Tamworth v Brackley

County's Boxing Day/New Year's fixtures are historically decided by throwing a dart at a road atlas, not by applying basic logic.

Darlo or Brackley is much more likely.

 

[Swedes]

This is going to be horrific. At the moment we have got no players, no manager, a boardroom in total chaos, and a lot of angry fans who are considering only going to away games. We're very well placed to do an Altrincham.

As for looking at the fixtures, the last time we played Chorley in the league was 25 years ago, and I remember us smashing them 7-1 at home and 6-1 away. Now they are probably going to be better supported than us, better financed than us, and will turn us over with a load of players deemed not good enough for us. Even 9 years ago we played them in the Lancashire Trophy final and it was their biggest game for years, with some fans wearing specially printed t-shirts for the match. Getting turned over by them will be indicative of our fall from grace. Also, what exactly is a Brackley?

 

[UTS]

York have finally found their level then?

 

[chipmunx]

York have finally found their level then?

not yet - one more relegation to go

 

[Minstermen central]

not yet - one more relegation to go

not yet - one more relegation to go

not yet - one more relegation to go

Yer one and you might be able to compete in transfer market against us.

 

[GodsGift]

Not sure if it's already been mentioned but Danny Livesey is supposedly signing for Salford.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Not sure if it's already been mentioned but Danny Livesey is supposedly signing for Salford.

Now confirmed - http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/salfordcityfc/news/danny-livesey-signs-for-salford-city-1801018.html

Elsewhere Harrogate have signed keeper James Belshaw from Tamworth after releasing long time keeper Peter Crook last week.

 

[Harrier94]

 

[Monkey Tennis]

To be fair to him, he wanted to stay with us, but chairman didn't want him anymore. And he's from Manchester anyway - he may even have taken a pay cut to join them.
At least he won't be lining up against us next season, and he'll be far and away the best defender at that level.

 

[Fyldefan]

It's all harrier ever puts. Let him crack on. I'm gutted about Livesey. I thought we were going to sign him. He's just what we need as well. A leader and a very good defender

 

[Southern Shayman]

Salford absolutely throwing the money at it.
Liam Hogan signs on a 3 year deal.

 

[Harrier94]

It's all harrier ever puts. Let him crack on. I'm gutted about Livesey. I thought we were going to sign him. He's just what we need as well. A leader and a very good defender

I can guarantee in my previous 2150 posts on this site not all have them have been about money.

 

[chipmunx]

I can guarantee in my previous 2150 posts on this site not all have them have been about money.

some must have been about Kiddies great pies...

 

[Master D]

So that's Salford purchasing next year's title.

 

[Harrier94]

some must have been about Kiddies great pies...

I'd say it's a 50/50 split between our amazing pies and village clubs buying their way up the leagues.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

While the Salford issue isn't good for them battling the top, could be good for us at Curzon and FCUM....a few of their manchester based part-time players may switch over to us.

saying that 2 defenders surprise me with Salford..............from what i seen of them last seson they looked solid, but i'd sy solid and unspectacular. Lacked any real spark to them.

 

[DarkSithLord]

News of our new manager and investment.

Cleethorpes Dirctor of Football is new Alfreton Town Manager


Russ O’Neills successor is former Harrogate Town assistant boss John McDermott.

McDermott, who played solely for Grimsby Town throughout his playing career, which spanned 20 years and just shy of 650 games, stepped down from his position at Harrogate due to ill health, which he is ‘now over’.

After leaving Wetherby Road in January, he linked up with close friend Marcus Newell as Director of Football of The Owls, and has helped them on the road to this years FA Vase Final, which is played this Sunday at Webley

Also joining the Reds is new investor Lee Mullen, who won the Euromillions back in 2011, and invested in his hometown club of Grimsby 4 years later.

Having donated £10,000 towards the play off final preparations, he then purchased £50,000 of shares in the club, of which he is a supporter. Having been voted onto the board, Lee then became a Director of the club later that year.

However at the start of 2017, a falling out between himself and the club saw him ‘take a back seat’ and begin watching closely local non league side Cleethorpes Town. He then brought in McDermott, who he knew being a fan of Grimsby, as the clubs record appearance maker.

With Harrogate Town making the move to full time, players are expected to arrive at the Impact through John, and join their ex-assistant manager and new investor Mullen ahead of the 2017/18 campaign. Luke Shields is one of 3 supposedly already signed for the Reds.

 

[Southern Shayman]

James Poole leaves Salford for Alty

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

James Poole leaves Salford for Alty

He has a job with Manchester City as a video scout for their teams around the world so was always going to leave - was linked with us and I'm told spoke to Gannon but in the end we didn't offer him a deal - I'm guessing we have other irons in the fire for that position.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

If the rest of the signings for Salford match the calibre of today's then the rest of the promotion chasing teams are going to have to settle for the playoffs. Chorley and Alfreton adding extra investment as well - it makes me wonder if we'll ever escape this league.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

As mentioned above there will be a few Salford players move about to the part time clubs in area. Alot of part time players do not want to go full time especially in areas like Manchester where many will have decent normal jobs to go with football.

good pickings for alty and Staly. or even Curzon and FCUM.

Think Salford have lost 11-13 players since defeat at Halifax. This is why i am unsure if they will be as big a threat as people expect next season. Will 1005 get out of this league, but next year may involve them building nearly a brand new squad and depends how quickly it gels.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

As mentioned above there will be a few Salford players move about to the part time clubs in area. Alot of part time players do not want to go full time especially in areas like Manchester where many will have decent normal jobs to go with football.

good pickings for alty and Staly. or even Curzon and FCUM.

Think Salford have lost 11-13 players since defeat at Halifax. This is why i am unsure if they will be as big a threat as people expect next season. Will 1005 get out of this league, but next year may involve them building nearly a brand new squad and depends how quickly it gels.

They have kept all the players they want to keep except Poole and possibly Lynch who is looking for a league club - they are clearly spending at Fylde levels going off today's signings and three year contracts being handed out.

It looks like we'll be taking O'Halloran back to add some competition for places at the back - be interesting to see whether Warburton, Hall or Cummins are on our radar.