ACCRINGTON
Manager: John Coleman (May, 1999)
In: Andy Tretton (Hereford), Anthony Barry (Liverpool Academy), Leam Richardson (Blackpool), Michael Welch (Macclesfield), Andrew Mangan (Blackpool), Stuart Jones (Doncaster), Matt O'Neill (Burnley)
Out: Lee McEvilly (Wrexham), Rory Prendergast (Blackpool), Jon Smith (Barrow), Steve Flitcroft (Barrow), Jon Kennedy (Witton), Lutel James (Altrincham), Steve Halford (Droylsden), Paul Howarth
BBC Sport verdict: Inconsistency and a poor defensive record cost Stanley a play-off place last season and manager John Coleman needs to rectify both to have any chance of a top-five slot.
Defender Andy Tretton's arrival should help but Stanley need to find a reliable keeper and some support for prolific frontman Paul Mullin.
The departures of Lee McEvilly and Rory Prendergast have left gaps and the Reds need a bright start to ease any doubts.
Key man: Paul Mullin
ALDERSHOT
Manager: Terry Brown (March, 2002)
In: Jon Brough (Cheltenham), Hassan Sulaiman (Wigan), Lewis Hamilton (QPR), Bertie Brayley (Farnborough), Ahmed Deen (Peterborough), Chris Nurse
Out: Jon Challinor (Exeter), Chris Giles (Crawley), Phil Warner (Eastbourne Boro), Ty Smith (Farnborough), Brett Johnson (Northampton), Will Antwi (Wycombe), Jamie Slabber (Grays), Ray Warburton (retired), Dwain Clarke (Lewes)
BBC Sport verdict: Terry Brown has shown he knows what it takes to mount a promotion challenge after two play-off finishes in two attempts at this level.
Taking the final step has proved elusive, though, and Brown is also having to contend with some major squad changes this summer.
The Shots will have a new-look defence following some high profile departures but have plenty of midfield know-how as they look to make it third-time lucky.
Key man: Tim Sills
ALTRINCHAM
Manager: Graham Heathcote (October 2002)
In: Karl Munroe (Northwich), James Olsen (Tranmere), Pete Band (Northwich), Steve Hawes (Stocksbridge), Lutel James (Accrington Stanley), Gary Williams (Leigh RMI), Nehru McKenzie (Hyde United)
Out: Josh Mitton (FC United)
BBC Sport verdict: Having become the inaugural winners of the Conference North-South play-offs last season Altrincham are back in the top-flight for the first time in six seasons.
However, things have moved on since the Robins were a dominant force on the non-league scene and survival will be their primary aim.
Graham Heathcote's side remain part-time and will rely on team spirit and the infusion of a bit of Conference experience to try and stay up.
Key man: Lutel James
BURTON
Manager: Nigel Clough (October, 1998)
In: Shaun Harrad (Notts County), Keith Gilroy (Scarborough), Darren Tinson (Shrewsbury), Eric Graves (ex-Stoke City), Andy Todd (Hucknall Town)
Out: Laurie Wilson (Kidderminster), Sam Shilton, Glenn Kirkwood (Both Hinckley United)
BBC Sport verdict: Burton have moved into a new ground and will be out to make a major impact at the Pirelli Stadium.
Nigel Clough's side failed to maintain their progress last season and are still moving towards a possible switch to full-time football.
But Clough looks to have recruited well over the summer with Andy Todd an eye-catching signing and the Brewers look capable of a top-half challenge this time around.
Key man: Jon Shaw
CAMBRIDGE
Manager: Rob Newman (May, 2005)
In: Darren Behcet (West Ham, loan), Mark Peters (Leyton Orient), David Bridges, Fola Onibuje (Peterborough), David Chick, Mbiyeye Medine, Parys Okai
Out: John Ruddy (Everton), Daniel Chillingworth (Rushden and Diamonds), Richard Hodgson (Crawley), Matt Sommer (Bristol Rovers), Daniel Webb (Weymouth), Stevland Angus, Stuart Bimson (Canvey Island), Shaun Marshall, Lee Blackburn (Crawley), Warren Goodhind
BBC Sport verdict: Relegated Cambridge get their first ever taste of the Conference and it could be a baptism of fire.
Exiting administration has earned the U's a reprieve from a 10-point deduction and manager Rob Newman may need all the help he can get.
Newman has had to build a squad almost completely from scratch and stopping the rot to prevent another drop could be the limit of his ambitions.
Key man: Andy Duncan
CANVEY ISLAND
Manager: Jeff King (1992)
In: Nathan Bunce (Gravesend), Allan Tait (Crawley), Dwain Clarke (Lewes), Stuart Bimson (Cambridge), Kezie Ibe, Jay Conroy
Out: Ollie Berquez (Stevenage), Peter Smith (Chelmsford), Tom Williamson (Grays)
BBC Sport verdict: Canvey found it tough going in their first Conference campaign and can be expected to do better this time.
Part-time status remains a handicap but better luck on the injury front will help Jeff King's side overcome that burden.
The experience of Nathan Bunce will help and if striker Lee Boylan stays fit all season the Gulls have a player capable of keeping them out of trouble.
Key man: Lee Boylan
CRAWLEY TOWN
Manager: Francis Vines (February, 2003)
In: Danny Brown (Barnet), Lee Elam (Morecambe), Chris Giles (Aldershot), Richard Hodgson (Cambridge), David Woozley (Oxford), Lee Blackburn (Cambridge U)
Out: John Robinson (Lewes), Andy Little (Wimbledon AFC), Sean Hankin, Charlie Mapes, Allan Tait (Canvey Island)
BBC Sport verdict: Crawley set the benchmark high with a first successful first season and will be expected to sustain a promotion challenge this time.
The Red Devils have gone full-time following the introduction of new owners at the Broadfield Stadium this summer.
And, with experienced midfielders Lee Elam and Richard Hodgson among a clutch of new faces, a top-six finish looks possible.
Key man: Richard Hodgson
DAGENHAM AND REDBRIDGE
Manager: John Still (April 2004)
In: Simon Overland (ex-Millwall), Paul Benson (White Ensign), Tresor Kandol (Thurrock)
Out: Tony Boot, Jack Midson (Bishops Stortford), Mark Janney
BBC Sport verdict: The Daggers enjoyed an encouraging first full season under manager John Still last time and should improve further.
Still has developed an exciting young side which is also helped by the experience of ex-QPR men Tony Roberts in goal and Paul Bruce in midfield.
With most of his squad now full-time, Still's squad has the potential of enough goals from midfield and up front to challenge for the play-offs.
Key man: Chris Moore
EXETER
Manager: Alex Inglethorpe (October, 2004)
In: Gary Sawyer (Plymouth loan), Craig Farrell (Carlisle), Jon Challinor (Aldershot), Billy Jones (Kidderminster), Chris Vinnicombe (Tiverton Town), Jamie Mackie (MK Dons)
Out: Gareth Sheldon (Kidderminster), Alex Jeannin (Hereford); Sean Devine (New Zealand Knights), James Bittner (Torquay), Kwame Ampadu (Newport County)
BBC Sport verdict: Exeter boss Alex Inglethorpe has been bullish about City's promotion prospects and the Grecians should be in the mix.
He has had to contend with a reduced budget, despite the income from last season's epic FA Cup ties with Manchester United.
If they can make up for the loss of Sean Devine's goals, there is enough experience in the squad to take Exeter close, with Craig Farrell one of those looking to fill the breach.
Key man: Steve Flack
FOREST GREEN
Manager: Gary Owers (May, 2004)
In: Luke Graham (Northampton, loan), Ryan Harrison (Wrexham), Alex Meechan (Halifax), Ryan Clarke (Bristol Rovers, loan), Addou Sall (Kidderminster), Sekani Simpson (Bristol City), Paul Wanless (Oxford), Ian Foster (Kidderminster), Simeon Howell (Reading, loan), Bruno Teixeira
Out: Charlie Griffin (Wycombe), Hugh McAuley (Tamworth), Stuart Roberts (Aberystwyth), Julian Alsop (Tamworth), Steve Perrin, Des Lyttle, Ben Cleverley
BBC Sport verdict: Forest Green will be looking to make the most of their reprieve from relegation after finishing in the bottom-three last season.
Gary Owers has returned to the club as the new manager and has totally re-built the Rovers squad with plenty of League and Conference experience.
The club has also taken on full-time status and relegation should not be an issue this time around.
Key man: Alex Meechan
GRAVESEND
Manager: Liam Daish (February, 2005)
In: Craig Holloway (Farnborough), Aaron Kerr (ex Worcester City), Danny Glozier, Bobby Bowry (Ex-Colchester), James Smith (Welling United), Ross Smith (Margate), Charlie MacDonald (Crawley)
Out: Nathan Bunce (Canvey), Matt Lovell
BBC Sport verdict: After stalling in their progress last season Fleet will be hoping to get moving again this term.
Liam Daish starts his first full campaign as manager and will be helped by a move towards full-time football.
However, Fleet may need a decent start and goals from Charlie MacDonald to avoid getting stuck in the bottom half.
Key man: Charlie MacDonald
GRAYS
Manager: Mark Stimson
In: James Slabber (Aldershot), Nicky Eyre (Tottenham), Tom Williamson (Canvey Island), Michael Knightly (ex-Southend), Andy Sambrook (Rushden), Glenn Pool (Thurrock), Cameron Mawer (ex-Watford)
Out: Mitchell Cole (Southend), Ville Powell
BBC Sport verdict: Grays have reached the Conference for the first time and could make a major impact.
Mark Stimson's side are already an established full-time side and have the winning mentality after doing a league and FA Trophy double last season.
Grays will miss Mitchell Cole following his move to Southend but still have an exciting crop of young players blended with Football League experience.
Key man: Stuart Thurgood
HALIFAX
Manager: Chris Wilder (July, 2002)
In: Peter Atherton (Bradford), Gary Brabin (TNS), Lee Butler (Alfreton), Justin Bowler (Leeds, loan), Brenton Leister (Leeds, loan), Chris Senior (Scarborough)
Out: Dean Howell (Colchester), Jason Blunt, Darren Hockenhull
BBC Sport verdict: Halifax missed a play-off chance last season and will have to get over that blow.
Manager Chris Wilder has gone for experience in Peter Atherton and Gary Brabin to try and stay the course this time, and Town should be
top-five challengers again.
Whether they get there could depend on if there are enough goals in a side lacking an out-and-out goalscorer.
Key man: Ryan Sugden
HEREFORD
Manager: Graham Turner (August, 1995)
In: Alex Jeannin (Exeter), Dean Beckwith (Gillingham), Guy Ipoua (Doncaster), Jon Brady (Stevenage), Wayne Brown (Chester, loan), Stacy Caldicott (Grimsby), Andy Ferrell (Watford), Graham Evans (Caersws), Darren Blewett (West Ham, loan)
Out: Danny Williams (Stevenage), Andy Tretton (Accrington), Graham Hyde (Worcester), Lee Mills, Ben Scott, Mark Robinson (Stockport)
BBC Sport verdict: Hereford are burdened with the favourites' tag after another near miss last season when they again lost in the play-offs.
Long-serving manager Graham Turner keeps the Bulls coming back for more and there is no reason to suggest they will not be in the top-five again.
Tellingly, Turner has bolstered his squad with plenty of experience in a bid to finally regain League status.
Key man: Adam Stansfield
KIDDERMINSTER
Manager: Stuart Watkiss (November, 2004)
In: Gareth Sheldon (Exeter), Wayne Graves (ex-Scunthorpe), Laurie Wilson (Burton), Wayne Evans (Rochdale), Daryl Burgess (Rochdale), Martin O'Connor (Shrewsbury), Terry Fleming (Grimsby), Michael Blackwood (Lincoln)
Out: Blair Sturrock (Rochdale), Ian Foster (Forest Green), Abdou Sall (Forest Green), Rueben Hazell (Chesterfield), Simon Weaver (Scarborough), Chris Beardsley (Mansfield)
BBC Sport verdict: Kidderminster will find a much-changed Conference from the one they won in 2000.
But after re-building their squad and securing new owners, they look the better equipped of the two relegated sides to mount a challenge for an instant return .
Boss Stuart Watkiss still has plenty of League experience to call on and if they can finally get Iyseden Christie fit could have one of the Conference's top strikers.
Key man: Iyseden Christie
MORECAMBE
Manager: Jim Harvey (June, 1993)
In: None
Out: Lee Elam (Crawley), Iain Swan (Lancaster), Adam Sollitt, Nick Rogan
BBC Sport verdict: Long-serving Morecambe boss Jim Harvey has not signed a single player over the summer break.
But the Shrimps may have enough within their existing squad to grab the play-off place that just eluded them last season.
With a number of players back to full fitness, plenty of Conference experience and one of the league's top strikers in Michael Twiss, Harvey's quiet approach may pay off.
Key man: Michael Twiss
SCARBOROUGH
Manager: Nicky Henry (May, 2004)
In: David Elebert (Preston, loan), Ian Clark (Darlington), Simon Weaver (Kidderminster), Jermaine Palmer (Grimsby, loan), Mark Quayle (Northwhich), Chris Hughes (Darlington), Mark Eccles (Gretna, loan), Brian Wake (Gretna, loan)
Out: Stuart Kerr (Lincoln,) Colin Cryan (Lincoln), Chris Senior, Tyrone Thompson, Mark Hotte (York), David Pounder
BBC Sport verdict: Scarborough went through last season unbeaten at the McCain Stadium but still finished in the bottom half of the table.
But if they are to become top-five contenders, they must start converting draws into wins at home and make a sharp improvement on their travels.
The return of striker Mark Quayle should help and Nicky Henry's other signings also look to stack up well.
Key man: Mark Quayle
SOUTHPORT
Manager: Liam Watson (October 2003),
In: Matty McGinn (Runcorn), Dominic Grief (Harrogate), Chris Lane (Leigh RMI), Robbie Booth (Chester)
BBC Sport verdict: Southport ended a two-year absence from the Conference top flight by winning the North title last season under impressive young boss Liam Watson.
The learning curve really steepens here though and Watson will do well to keep his part-time charges out of the bottom-three.
Port have been quiet in the transfer market but in striker Terry Fearns have a prolific goalscorer who could hold the key to safety.
Key man: Terry Fearns
STEVENAGE
Manager: Graham Westley (January, 2003)
In: Shane Gore (Barnet), Danny Williams (Hereford United), Ollie Berquez (Canvey Island)
Out: Jon Brady (Hereford United), Mark Rogers (retired), Jermaine Hunter (Staines Town), Mark Westhead (Hyde), Craig McAllister (Woking)
BBC Sport verdict: After losing in the play-off final last season, Stevenage will be out to go one better and they look genuine promotion candidates.
Manager Graham Westley has only tweaked his squad in the summer transfer market, with midfielder Danny Williams an interesting arrival.
Boro have the all-round strength and forward power in Anthony Elding and Darryn Stamp to go the distance.
Key man: George Boyd
TAMWORTH
Manager: Mark Cooper (June, 2004)
In: Julian Alsop (Forest Green), Hugh McAuley (Forest Green), Jimmy Turner (Farnborough), Mark Gayle (ex-Crewe and Walsall), Simon Hollis (Redditch) Graham Ward (Cheltenham)
Out: David Robinson (Alfreton)
BBC Sport verdict: Mark Cooper enjoyed an outstanding first season as manager and has given himself a tough task to follow.
Further progress will be difficult with a part-time squad and limited budget.
But a top-half finish is not beyond the Lambs, who could have goals aplenty from veteran front men Bob Taylor and Julian Alsop.
Key man: Bob Taylor
WOKING
Manager: Glenn Cockerill (November, 2002)
In: Karim El-Salahi (Crystal Palace), Mark Rawle (Kidderminster), Craig McAllister (Stevenage), Lloyd Blackman (Farnborough), Jimmy Aggrey (Irish side Bohemians)
Out: Raphael Nade (Carlisle), Luke Oliver (Yeovil), Jon Boardman (Rochdale), Jamie Gosling, Amos Foyewa, Jefferson Louis (Bristol Rovers), Adriano Basso
BBC Sport verdict: Woking are another side looking to overcome the disappointment of just missing out on the play-offs last season.
Sadly, for the Cards, their form did not go un-noticed, with three players being snapped up by League clubs.
That has left boss Glenn Cockerill with some big holes to fill and he will do well to get Woking close again.
Key man: Justin Richards
YORK
Manager: Billy McEwan (February, 2005)
In: Mark Convery (Darlington), David McGurk (Darlington, loan), Clayton Donaldson (Hull), Mark Hotte (Scarborough), Jamie Price (Doncaster), Emmanuel Panther (Brechin), Nathan Peat (Hull), James Dudgeon (Workington), Joe O'Neill (Preston), Ashley Winn (Oldham)
Out: Steve Davis, Paul Robinson, Paul D Robinson, Kevin Donovan, Paul Groves, Shaun Smith
BBC Sport verdict: Billy McEwan inherited a poisoned chalice when he took on the York job in February but achieved his first aim of keeping the club up.
The Scot has re-built his squad over the summer with ten new faces arriving at KitKat Crescent.
Funds have been tight, though, and unless a young side can start scoring, McEwan will do well just to keep the former League side clear of trouble again.
Key man: Andy Bishop
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