The BBC Non-League Show season preview

Richard Money, Mark Cooper, John Beck, Shaun Gale, Jim Harvey and Brian Little are all looking ahead to the new season

By Caroline Barker
The BBC Non-League Show

While some might say all eyes are on the Premier League this weekend, what they forget to mention is that it's the Blue Square Bet Premier to me and you.

The fifth tier is no longer just the top tier of the grassroots game but it is becoming an extension of the Football League.

With nine recent ex-league clubs, this season would seem to be the toughest yet, with last season's winners Stevenage no doubt glad they got out while they could and left the Borough behind.

For me, it makes it a season to look forward to. Having real strength in the Conference will filter down on and off the pitch and throughout the Non League pyramid.

Off the pitch is a touchy subject and the question no-one wants to ask is 'who will be the next Chester, Northwich or Salisbury?'

Their fates were not decided on the pitch but unfortunately in the hands of the likes of the FA and the courts. It will be a big plus for me, if we get to May with all our clubs still intact.

Here's my take on the top three Non Leagues:

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Blue Square Bet Premier

While Crawley boss Steve Evans has been able to flash the cash this season, I can't see past Luton as the real title contenders. The support, the finances and then there's the manager.

Richard Money quietly goes about his business, and he knows what he has to do. Last season, he was told to go out and achieve promotion - he didn't. Underachieve this time round and a very sharp exit could be on the cards, such are the expectations.

606: DEBATE There is no reason why Luton Town can't get over 80 points and if we start well, I'd hope to go past the 90 points mark and a bumper season charles_wells

He's brought in players with experience at this level, and two from clubs that won promotion last season. Adam Murray from Oxford and Stevenage's Andy Drury will, I believe, show the rest how it's done.

Of the former League clubs recently relegated it was a shrewd move by Darlington to appoint Mark Cooper, a manager highly rated but never really given a chance by Peterborough, his role alone makes me think they'll stand a better chance than Grimsby in bouncing back.

At the other end of the table I'd hate to see Hayes & Yeading struggle, but with a mass clear-out as Garry Haylock goes for a full-time approach, it may prove too long a season for the Middlesex faithful.

Another manager having to make changes is John Beck at Histon. Although I rate him, again Histon's much talked-about financial status may prove too difficult a hurdle on the pitch.

Expect performances of note from the Dean Holdsworth-led Newport County (the games against his brother David's Mansfield Town will certainly be interesting) and AFC Wimbledon with their big support, have been gradually tinkering to make the play-offs.

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Blue Square Bet South

It's a case of the return of the league stalwarts in the South, with big challenges coming from the likes of Eastleigh, Havant & Waterlooville and a cursory nod at my club Chelmsford.

Shaun Gale's Havant just began to toughen up towards the end of last season and acquiring Sammy Igoe from down the road in Bournemouth may just prove to be the coup of the summer.

Gale's boys have found indifferent form since the heydays of Anfield and the FA Cup, but the fans and the board have kept the faith, and the wind of change may just be enough to lift them into the title spot.

They'll face tough resistance from an equally brooding Eastleigh, they've shored up that leaky defence and in Iain Baird have a man who certainly knows how to "play" this division.

Of the new boys, Dartford and Farnborough were impressive in their respective leagues but may find the physical aspects of the higher level just too demanding this season, although they'll certainly have the support to push them on.

Woking and Dover are equally well supported, however, the managerial merry-go-round at Dover meant a patch of uncertainty but if anyone can steady and reorganise then Martin Hayes is your man.

Of the ones looking up, I predict a tough season for Bishop's Stortford with so many ins and outs on the playing front. It will also be interesting to see how Rod Stringer copes at Braintree with the step-up from Aveley, especially given the mass signings from his former club.

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Blue Square Bet North

A win pre-season against Luton is good enough for me and in Nicky Law, Alfreton have a manager who I believe can finally take them over the line.

However, he'll have the old head Jim Harvey breathing down his neck at Stalybridge. Given his run of clubs dicing with death, it will be interesting to judge him for managing what's on the pitch, rather than having to cope with what's off it.

The real test of management credentials will, for me, come at AFC Telford. The set-up and the fans all smack of League football and in Andy Sinton they've certainly got a gaffer who has played at the highest level.

He was known for his many cup adventures in the Ryman League with Fleet Town and with his contacts I expect Telford to challenge, and get a decent cup run at the same time.

Don't forget Brian Little. He had a rough start at Gainsborough and his guile will surely propel Trinity forward. I'm sure Little will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season as his Gainsborough side push for promotion.

It will be fascinating to see how Worcester City cope with the switch to the North from the South, we've seen previously how much it can affect clubs like King's Lynn, who struggled financially in the "post switch" aftermath.

Still nomadic from the floods of 2007, Gloucester City's fortunes may also be tested this season. They will have a decent pitch and an imposing stadium as they share with Cheltenham Town but it remains to be seen how quickly they can adapt and just how much other teams raise their game when they visit Whaddon Road.

Big expectations in this league and big personalities - definitely one to keep an eye on in 2010/2011.

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More Non-League

From top to bottom, the Non League game is full of characters and good football teams. Ones to look out for are Lowestoft Town taking the Isthmian League by storm and Northwich Victoria looking for financial stability.

And let's not forget Chester. Backed by their fans, saved by their fans and cheered on by a whole community in the Northern Premier Division One North.