Cockerill predicts an open battle

By Pete Oliver

It's such an exciting league and probably one of the most interesting because it's so hard to predict Glenn Cockerill

With three more clubs joining the ranks of the full-time professionals, the Nationwide Conference will kick off the new season nearer than ever to becoming the "fifth division".

Crawley Town and Forest Green Rovers have taken the full-time plunge, while Gravesend will only have a few part-time players still on the staff.

As a result, only Burton Albion, who plan to go full-time soon, Canvey Island, Tamworth and the promoted duo of Southport and Altrincham remain part-time.

Three-up, three-down to and from the Football League remains the Conference's next aim but for now it must settle for two promotion places.

Earning that second spot and introducing play-offs for the past three seasons has revolutionised the Conference with nine clubs battling it out to the wire last term.

Just nine points separated the 10 sides below champions Barnet last season, and this term's tussle at the top promises to be just as tight.

"Everyone is going to find it tough and I don't think anyone will run away with it this time," Woking boss Glenn Cockerill told BBC Sport.

"It's such an exciting league and probably one of the most interesting because it's so hard to predict."

Woking were one of the sides to miss out in the final week of the campaign and Cockerill expects a number of last season's promotion contenders to be in the mix again.

Losing play-off sides Stevenage, Hereford and Aldershot are likely to figure and Cockerill thinks a few others may emerge from the pack.

"I think Burton will do well. They had a lot of injuries and not much luck last year. Nigel (Clough) has made some good signings. I think they could be there or thereabouts," Cockerill said.

"Morecambe are a very experienced side who I think will do well, and Crawley have got some money so might be up there.

"Mark Cooper did a good job at Tamworth last year and has also made a couple of good acquisitions.

COCKERILL'S TEAMS TO WATCH Stevenage Hereford Aldershot Burton Morecambe Crawley Town Tamworth Conference form guide

"You could mention most of the sides, but money does talk whichever league you are in."

And resources could now be a more important factor than ever with the Conference subject to transfer windows for the first time from the end of August.

"It makes it difficult for a club, like us, which is not overloaded with money. But like any new law you have just got to get on with it," Cockerill said.

"I have signed six Academy boys on Conference forms, in case of injuries. And I will try to get by with 18 or 19 in the squad. If I need to get somebody in later on maybe I'll get a loan player."

Cockerill has been busier in the summer transfer-market than he would have liked after losing eight players from Kingfield.

Five were let go, with three more - Luke Oliver, Jon Boardman and Raphael Nade - earning moves to League clubs.

"I'm delighted for them but it has messed up my plans a bit. But hopefully I have replaced them with more than equal players and we can be up there again," Cockerill said.

With crowds on the increase, the standard of competition rising and the new structure of feeder leagues bedded in, the Conference has much to look forward to.

However, one blot on the landscape that must be eradicated is the relegation controversy that has dogged the league in recent seasons.

Results, not stadia and finances, must decide the relegation places if the bottom of the table is to be as exciting as the top.