BARNSLEY
Nickname: The Tykes
Ground: Oakwell
Capacity: 23,186
Last season: 12th
Manager: Paul Hart (March 2004)
In:
Tony Vaughan (Mansfield), Tom Williams (Birmingham), Barry Conlon (Darlington), Matt Carbon (Walsall), Bobby Hassell (Mansfield), Nick Colgan (Hibernian), Stephen McPhail (Leeds), Folawiyo Onibuje (Preston), Daniel Nardiello (Man Utd, loan), David Scarcella (Adelaide United), Paul Reid (Northampton, undisclosed).
Out:
Garry Monk (Swansea), Marlon Beresford (Luton), Isaiah Rankin (Brentford), Alex Neil (Mansfield), Adam Oldham, Tony Gallimore, Brian O'Callaghan, Craig Ireland (Peterborough), Daniel Alcock, Dean Gorre, Griff Jones, Peter Handyside, Steve Hayward.
BBC Sport verdict: Paul Hart has been one of the busiest managers in the country with practically an entire new team arriving.
New signings like target man Barry Conlon will have an impact, but it may take all of Hart's expertise if he is to forge them into play-off contenders.
Key man: Stephen McPhail
BLACKPOOL
Nickname: The Seasiders
Ground: Bloomfield Road
Capacity: 11,295
Last season: 14th
Manager: Colin Hendry (June 2004)
In:
Marc McGregor (Burnley), Keigan Parker (St Johnstone), Paul Edwards (Wrexham), Rob Edwards (Preston), Rob Clare (Stockport).
Out:
Steve Davis (York), Tommy Jaszczun (Northampton), Kirk Hilton, Phil Barnes (Sheff Utd), Matthew Blinkhorn (Luton, loan), Mike Sheron (Macclesfield).
BBC Sport verdict: Blackpool lifted their second LDV Vans Trophy in three years last season and clearly have the potential to finish higher in the division than 14th.
New boss Colin Hendry has made a handful of signings but faces a battle to keep want-away striker Scott Taylor.
Key man: Richie Wellens
BOURNEMOUTH
Nickname: The Cherries
Ground: Dean Court
Capacity: 9,600
Last season: 9th
Manager: Sean O'Driscoll (August 2000)
In:
Dani Rodrigues (Yeovil), Eddie Howe (Portsmouth, loan).
Out:
Warren Feeney (Stockport, tribunal), Fawzi Saadi.
BBC Sport verdict: Bournemouth just missed out on the play-offs last season and will hope for another tilt at the top six this term.
New boy Dani Rodrigues replaces Warren Feeney up front, and Sean O'Driscoll's side should have another good season if they are not too badly hit by injuries.
Key man: Carl Fletcher
BRADFORD CITY
Nickname: The Bantams
Ground: Valley Parade
Capacity: 25,000
Last season: 23rd in Division One (relegated)
Manager: Colin Todd (June 2004)
In: Steven Schumacher, Michael Symes (both Everton), Ross Turnbull (Middlesbrough, loan).
Out:
Mark Paston (Walsall), Michael Standing (Walsall), Paul Heckingbottom (Sheff Wed), Michael Branch (Chester, undisclosed), Robert Wolleaston (Oxford), Danny Cadamarteri (Leeds), Gareth Edds (Milton Keynes Dons), Alan Combe (Kilmarnock), Peter Folkes (Lincoln).
BBC Sport verdict: After the ups and downs of the past five years, most Bantams fans may be happy just to make it through the season and survive as a League club.
Boss Colin Todd has not been able to sign many players, and his paper-thin squad may face a long and difficult campaign.
Key man: David Wetherall
BRENTFORD
Nickname: The Bees
Ground: Griffin Park
Capacity: 12,800
Last season: 17th
Manager: Martin Allen (March 2004)
In:
Scott Fitzgerald (Colchester), Andy Myers (Colchester), Isaiah Rankin (Barnsley), Sam Sodje (Margate), Chris Hargreaves (Northampton), John Salako (Reading), Deon Burton (Portsmouth), San Lee (West Ham).
Out:
Ibrahima Sonko (Reading), Danny Thomas, Dean Wells, Lee Fieldwick, Stephen Evans (Woking), Stephen Hughes, Alan Julian, Jay Smith.
BBC Sport verdict: Boss Martin Allen has rung the changes after he steered his side clear of relegation last season.
Scott Fitzgerald, John Salako and Deon Burton all have plenty of experience but the Bees must improve their away form if they are to make an impact.
Key man: Scott Fitzgerald
BRISTOL CITY
Nickname: The Robins
Ground: Ashton Gate
Capacity: 21,500
Last season: 3rd (lost in play-off final)
Manager: Brian Tinnion (June 2004)
In:
Stephen Gillespie (Liverpool), Paul Heffernan (Notts County, £125,000), Bradley Orr (Newcastle).
Out:
Lee Matthews (Port Vale), Scott Brown (Cheltenham), Tony Rougier, Lee Peacock (Sheff Wed), Joe Burnell (Wycombe), Louis Carey (Coventry), Darren Caskey.
BBC Sport verdict: A new era begins at Ashton Gate with player-boss Brian Tinnion replacing the departed Danny Wilson.
After two third-place finishes, City are desperate to go one better - but with top scorer Lee Peacock gone, much depends on new striker Paul Heffernan.
Key man: Paul Heffernan
CHESTERFIELD
Nickname: The Spireites
Ground: Saltergate
Capacity: 8,960
Last season: 20th
Manager: Roy McFarland (May 2003)
In:
Wayne Allison (Sheff Utd), Mark DeBolla (Charlton), Shane Nicholson (Tranmere), Alex Bailey (Arsenal).
Out:
Stuart Howson (Accrington), Chris Brandon (Huddersfield), Glynn Hurst (Notts County), Mark Smith, David Reeves, Jamie Fullarton, Marvin Robinson, Matt O'Halloran (Boston).
BBC Sport verdict: Chestefield narrowly avoided the drop last season after Glynn Hurst's 88th-minute goal in their final game.
Hurst and several other players have left during the summer and despite the arrival of veteran Wayne Allison, another season of struggle is likely.
Key man: Mark DeBolla
COLCHESTER UNITED
Nickname: The U's
Ground: Layer Road
Capacity: 7,300
Last season: 11th
Manager: Phil Parkinson (February 2003)
In:
Stephen Hunt (Southampton), Liam Chilvers (Arsenal), George Elokobi (Dulwich), Aidan Davison (Grimsby), Kevin Watson (Reading), Wayne Brown (Watford), Ben Bowditch (Colchester).
Out:
Scott Fitzgerald (Brentford), Andy Myers (Brentford), Scott McGleish (Northampton), Alan White (Leyton Orient), Simon Brown (Hibernian), Richard McKinney (Walsall), Thomas Pinault (Grimsby).
BBC Sport verdict: Colchester have made steady progress under Phil Parkinson, who has continued to overhaul his squad this summer.
Having bolstered the defence by signing Arsenal's Liam Chilvers and Wayne Brown from Watford, the U's will hope to improve on last season's 11th place.
Key man: Greg Halford
DONCASTER ROVERS
Nickname: Rovers
Ground: Belle Vue
Capacity: 10,000
Last season: Division Three champions (promoted)
Manager: Dave Penney (March 2002)
In:
Jermaine McSporran (Walsall), James Coppinger (Exeter, undisclosed),
Nick Fenton (Notts County), Guy Ipoua, Nicolas Priet (Leicester), Chris Beardsley (Mansfield).
Out:
Steve Burton (Scarborough), Adebayo Akinfenwa (Torquay), Robert Gill (Scarborough), Barry Richardson, Rob O'Brien.
BBC Sport verdict: Flying high after back-to-back promotions, Doncaster will be out to shock a few clubs in League One.
A third success may be beyond them, but boss Dave Penney has strengthened his squad and they should have enough experience to be safe from the drop.
Key man: Jermaine McSporran
HARTLEPOOL UNITED
Nickname: Pools
Ground: Victoria Park
Capacity: 7,600
Last season: 6th (lost in play-off semi-finals)
Manager: Neale Cooper (June 2003)
In:
Jack Ross (Clyde).
Out:
Jermaine Easter (Cambridge), Paul Robinson (York), Brian Ross, Mark Robinson, Anthony Williams, Scott Walker, Stephen Carson.
BBC Sport verdict: Neale Cooper's side defied many predictions to reach the play-offs last season, and they have added Clyde captain Jack Ross to their ranks.
If Adam Boyd can repeat the form he showed in front of goal during the run-in, Pools may enjoy another good year.
Key man: Richie Humphreys
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
Nickname: The Terriers
Ground: McAlpine Stadium
Capacity: 24,500
Last season: 4th in Division Three (won play-offs)
Manager: Peter Jackson (June 2003)
In:
Junior Mendes (Mansfield), Chris Brandon (Chesterfield).
Out:
Tyrone Thompson (Scarborough), Iffy Onuora (Walsall), Dwayne Mattis (Bury), Jon Newby (Bury), Paul Scott, Ian Hughes.
BBC Sport verdict: Fans will be relieved after boss Peter Jackson signed a contract extension following promotion.
But despite the arrivals of Junior Mendes and Chris Brandon, a season of consolidation is likely for the Terriers after their play-off triumph.
Key man: Efe Sodje
HULL CITY
Nickname: The Tigers
Ground: KC Stadium
Capacity: 25,000
Last season: Division Three runners-up (promoted)
Manager: Peter Taylor (October 2002)
In: Leon Cort (Southend), Michael Keane (Preston, £50,000), Roland Edge (Hibernian), Delroy Facey (West Brom), Sergio Leite (Charlton), Nick Barmby (Leeds), Aaron Wilbraham (Stockport, £100,000), Junior Lewis (Leicester), Matt Duke (Burton, £60,000).
Out: Justin Whittle (Grimsby), Paul Musselwhite (Scunthorpe), Steve Burton (Kidderminster), Simon Russell (Kidderminster), Jamie Forrester (Bristol Rovers), Alan Fettis (Macclesfield), Andy Holt, Shaun Smith.
BBC Sport verdict: The weight of expectation is on Hull, who have been busy in the transfer market since promotion.
The Tigers are wealthier than most of their rivals, but boss Peter Taylor's biggest task is to find the winning formula from his expensive squad.
Key man: Nick Barmby
LUTON TOWN
Nickname: The Hatters
Ground: Kenilworth Road
Capacity: 10,000
Last season: 10th
Manager: Mike Newell (June 2003)
In:
Marlon Beresford (Barnsley), Dino Seremet (Maribor Pivovarna), Matthew Blinkhorn (Blackpool, loan).
Out:
Adrian Forbes (Swansea), Matthew Spring (Leeds, Morten Hyldgaard, Emmerson Boyce (Crystal Palace).
BBC Sport verdict: After the off-field events last summer which forced Luton into administration, it was all the more impressive that they finished 10th.
But after losing several stars, boss Mike Newell must improve on a poor away record if they are to improve on that.
Key man: Steve Howard
MILTON KEYNES DONS
Nickname: Dons
Ground: National Hockey Stadium
Capacity: 9,000
Last season: 24th in Division One (relegated)
Manager: Stuart Murdoch
(May 2002)
In:
Gareth Edds (Bradford), Steve Palmer (QPR), Julien Hornuss
(Sedan Ardennes), Laurent Herve, Allan Smart (Crewe), Izale McLeod (Derby, undisclosed), Julien Hornuss (Sedan).
Out:
Wayne Gray (Southend), Peter Hawkins (Rushden), Rob Gier
(Rushden), Nico Herzig (SV Wacker Burghausen, undisclosed), Dean
Holdsworth (Havant & Waterlooville), Shahed Ahmed (Wycombe), Warren
Barton (Dagenham), Lionel Morgan, Darren Holloway, Albert Jarrett, Jermaine
Darlington (Watford), Michael Gordon.
BBC Sport verdict: The controversial club formerly known as Wimbledon must halt a slide which saw them relegated by a country mile last season.
The exodus of players has continued and Stuart Murdoch's young side may have to fight another battle against the drop.
Key man: Steve Palmer
OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Nickname: The Latics
Ground: Boundary Park
Capacity: 13,600
Last season: 15th
Manager: Brian Talbot (March 2004)
In:
Mark Arber (Peterborough), Rodney Jack (Rushden), Mark Bonner
(Cardiff).
Out:
Carlos Roca (Carlisle), Paul Murray (Beira Mar), Steve Corry
(Kettering), John Sheridan, Darren Sheridan.
BBC Sport verdict: Oldham survived the mid-season loss of manager Iain Dowie to finish in mid-table under Brian Talbot - although they drew 21 of their 46 league games.
Forward Rodney Jack has left Rushden to rejoin Talbot, but they may not have quite enough to make the top six.
Key man: Jermaine Johnson
PETERBOROUGH UNITED
Nickname: Posh
Ground: London Road
Capacity: 15,300
Last season: 18th
Manager: Barry Fry (August 1996)
In:
Leon Constantine (Southend), Andre Boucard (Reading), Elliott
Ward (West Ham, loan), Craig Ireland (Barnsley), Peter Kennedy (Wigan).
Out:
Mark Arber (Oldham), Mathew Gill (Notts County), Tom Williams
(Barnsley), Bradley Thomas, Dennis Pearce, Andrew Fotiadis, Gareth Jelleyman (Boston, loan).
BBC Sport verdict: Peterborough's fans will be desperate for a better year, after only managing five home wins all season during 2003/4.
The signing of free-scoring striker Leon Constantine is a good move but although Posh may beat the drop, they could finish in the bottom half again.
Key man: Curtis Woodhouse
PORT VALE
Nickname: The Valiants
Ground: Vale Park
Capacity: 23,000
Last season: 7th
Manager: Martin Foyle (February 2004)
In:
Lee Matthews (Bristol City), Jeff Smith (Bolton), Dean Smith
(Sheff Wed), Robin Hulbert (Telford).
Out:
Steve McPhee (Beira Mar), Marc Bridge-Wilkinson (Stockport),
Neil Brisco (Rochdale), Adrian Littlejohn, Dean Delaney, Liam Burns.
BBC Sport verdict: Vale may struggle to match last season, when they finished seventh on the back of a superb home record.
After losing Stephen McPhee, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and Adrian Littlejohn, there will be pressure on Steve Brooker and teenager Billy Paynter for goals.
Key man: Dean Smith
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Nickname: The Owls
Ground: Hillsborough
Capacity: 39,800
Last season: 16th
Manager: Chris Turner (November 2002)
In:
Steven MacLean (Rangers, undisclosed), David Lucas (Preston, £100,000),
Paul Heckingbottom (Bradford), Jon-Paul McGovern (Livingston), Lee Bullen (Dunfermline), Lee Peacock (Bristol City), Glenn Whelan (Man City), Guy Branston (Rotherham), Patrick Collins (Sunderland), Chris Marsden (Busan Icons).
Out:
Derek Geary (Stockport), Leigh Bromby (Sheff Utd), Alan Quinn (Sheff Utd), Dean Smith (Port Vale), Mark Robins (Burton), Brian Barry-Murphy (Bury), Chris Stringer, Derek Geary, Jon Beswetherick (Bristol Rovers), Kevin Pressman (Leicester), Paul McLaren (Rotherham), Robbie Mustoe, Steven Haslam, Terry Cooke.
BBC Sport verdict: Boss Chris Turner has cleared the decks after a very disappointing year by their standards.
New boys Steven MacLean and Lee Peacock should provide plenty of goals, and a play-off place should not be out of their reach if the side knuckles down.
Key man: Lee Peacock
STOCKPORT COUNTY
Nickname: The Hatters
Ground: Edgeley Park
Capacity: 11,500
Last season: 19th
Manager: Sammy McIlroy (October 2003)
In:
Lee Mair (Dundee), Neil Cutler (Stoke), Warren Feeney (Bournemouth, tribunal), Marc Bridge-Wilkinson (Port Vale), Derek Geary (Sheff Wed).
Out:
Dave Challinor (Bury), Aaron Wilbraham (Hull, £100,000), Kevin Ellison, Rob Jones (Grimsby), Rob Clare (Blackpool).
BBC Sport verdict: Boss Sammy McIlroy has been busy in the transfer market after they narrowly avoided the drop last term.
Warren Feeney and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson are good additions and if they can hang on to the fit-again Luke Beckett, they should be comfortable in mid-table.
Key man: Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
SWINDON TOWN
Nickname: The Robins
Ground: The County Ground
Capacity: 15,700
Last season: 5th (lost in play-off semi-finals
Manager: Andy King (December 2001)
In:
Jerel Ifil (Watford, £70,000), Lloyd Opara (Grays Athletic)
Out:
Bart Griemink (Southend), Tommy Mooney (Oxford), Leigh Mills
(Tottenham, undisclosed), Jon Stevenson, Ben Martin, Adrian Viveash (Kidderminster, loan).
BBC Sport verdict: Despite losing Tommy Mooney, the goals of Sam Parkin and Rory Fallon should ensure a successful season.
Jerel Ifil has joined permanently from Watford to reinforce the defence, and Andy King's side are more than capable of challenging for automatic promotion.
Key man: Sam Parkin
TORQUAY UNITED
Nickname: The Gulls
Ground: Plainmoor
Capacity: 6,200
Last season: 3rd in Division Three (promoted)
Manager: Leroy Rosenior
(July 2002)
In:
Adebayo Akinfenwa (Doncaster), Matt Villis (Plymouth), Gareth Owen (Stoke), Martin Phillips (Plymouth), Richard Bouton (Reading), Betrand Bossu (Gillingham, loan), Bruno Meirelles.
Out:
David Graham (Wigan, £215,000), David Woozley (Oxford), Reuben Hazell (Kidderminster), Jimmy Benefield, Joseph Broad, Kevin Wills.
BBC Sport verdict: Torquay have a large void to fill up front after top scorer David Graham moved to Wigan following promotion.
The Gulls have also lost defenders David Woozley and Reuben Hazell - so it would be an unqualified success if boss Leroy Rosenior is able to keep them up.
Key man: Jo Kuffour
TRANMERE ROVERS
Nickname: Rovers
Ground: Prenton Park
Capacity: 16,500
Last season: 8th
Manager: Brian Little (October 2003)
In:
Mark Rankine (Sheff Utd), Calvin Zola (Newcastle), Michael Jackson (Preston), Theodore Whitmore, Jason McAteer (Sunderland).
Out:
Sean Connelly (Rushden), Alex Hay (Rushden), Graham Allen (Rushden), Thomas Rooney (Macclesfield), Jamie McGuire, Shane Nicholson (Chesterfield), Mickey Mellon (Kidderminster).
BBC Sport verdict: A superb finish to last season and several shrewd summer signings will give Brian Little's side plenty of optimism for the new campaign.
The experience of Michael Jackson, Mark Rankine and Jason McAteer makes them an outside bet for automatic promotion.
Key man: Michael Jackson
WALSALL
Nickname: The Saddlers
Ground: Bescot Stadium
Capacity: 11,300
Last season: 22nd in Division One (relegated)
Manager: Paul Merson (April 2004)
In:
Mark Paston (Bradford), Michael Standing (Bradford), Richard McKinney (Colchester), Iffy Onuora (Huddersfield), Mark Kinsella (West Brom), Kofi Dakinah (Herfolge), Joe Broad (Plymouth).
Out:
James Walker (West Ham), Matt Carbon (Barnsley), Lee Bradbury (Oxford), Karl Hawley (Carlisle), Craig Burley, Gavin Caines, Pedro Matias, Mario Lopez-Soler, Andy Petterson, Nick Smith.
BBC Sport verdict: They look the strongest of the three relegated clubs, but it will not be an easy run for player-boss Paul Merson.
Keeper James Walker will be a hard act to follow after his departure, although new arrivals Mark Kinsella and Iffy Onuora add some much-needed experience.
Key man: Mark Kinsella
WREXHAM
Nickname: Red Dragons
Ground: Racecourse Ground
Capacity: 15,500
Last season: 13th
Manager: Denis Smith (October 2001)
In:
Danny Williams (Bristol Rovers), Dean Bennett (Kidderminster), Alex Smith (Chester), Andy Holt (Hull). Matt Baker (Hereford).
Out:
Shaun Holmes (Glentoran), Stephen Thomas (Darlington), Paul Edwards (Blackpool), Paul Barrett, Paul Whitfield.
BBC Sport verdict: Off-field problems dominated the summer at the Racecourse Ground and their financial difficulties could have a large impact on Wrexham's chances.
Losing star player Carlos Edwards for most of the season with a knee injury could mean the Dragons may struggle.
Key man: Brian Carey
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