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NPL PREM SEASON PREVIEW
The NPL Chat Podcast  

Alfreton Town 
Alfreton will be looking to bounce straight back to the National League North after their relegation last season. Keeping some of their squad and adding experience into the team could see them challenging for the playoffs or even the title. 

Ashton United 
Ashton will be looking to put last season behind them as their inconsistent form prevented them from every challenging for the playoffs. Steve Cunningham has made excellent signings from across the league and from the National League North. The Robins should challenge for the playoffs and have an outside chance of a title charge. 

Avro 
Fresh from victory in the NPL West playoffs, Avro will be looking to shock a few of the established sides in the league. Avro scored an incredible 94 goals in the league last season but will be missing Kyle Hawley this time out. A Mid-table finish would be a brilliant achievement for Grant Shenton’s men. 

Bamber Bridge 
Bamber Bridge endured a rollercoaster of a season last year and a number of players leaving over the summer could see them struggling again this time round. Milligan will have to recruit well and have strong home form to see them safe. A bottom half finish could be on the cards though. 

Bury 
Bury will be most people’s favourites to take the league title this season. Backed by incredible support and led by Anthony Johnson, the Shakers will be looking to make it into the playoffs as a minimum expectation. 

Cleethorpes Town 
Cleethorpes completed their first season in the NPL Premier Division with a very respectable 9th place finish. Clee will be looking to improve on this in the new season. A couple of new additions could see Clee challenging for one of the new extra playoff places. 

Curzon Ashton 
Fresh from their relegation last season, Curzon will be looking to stabilise in the league or even challenge for the playoffs. Recruitment of experienced players at this level will see them with a top half finish with a chance of the playoffs. 

Emley 
Emley earned their place in the NPL Premier Division this season after coming through the playoffs in the NPL East. They will be looking to strengthen the squad again and a top half finish would be a great return for them. 

FC United 
FC made it all the way to the playoffs last season before bowing out to Warrington Rylands. Mark Beesley will be expecting the same this time from his FC side. Extremely hard to break down and with match winners in the side, FC will be looking for another run at the playoffs this year. 

Gainsborough Trinity 
Gainsborough missed out on the playoffs last season. Trinity will be looking to add goals to the side to gain the extra points to make sure of a playoff place this time around. 

Guiseley 
Guiseley will be looking to improve on their midtable finish from last season. New players have been added to the squad to hopefully turn some draws into wins for Ian Richards’ lions. 

Hyde United 
Hyde had a season to forget last season but have renewed optimism going into a full season with Michael Clegg as manager. New players will be brought in and a much better return this season could see the Tigers have a top half finish. 

Ilkeston Town 
It will be all change at Ilkeston this season. Ian Deakin left his role over the summer and has been replaced by Tris Whitman, who will bring in new players and new ideas to the club. A solid midtable finish would be a good return for the Robins.

Lancaster City 
Lancaster were the surprise package last season with them just missing out on the playoffs on the last day. Solid recruitment through the summer could see them challenging for the playoffs again this season. 

Leek Town 
Leek finished the season with 6 wins in a row leaving them with an 8th place finish. Josh Brehaut will be looking to build on this in the new season. A top half finish and playoff challenge might be on the cards for them. 

Quorn 
Quorn will be a complete unknown to many in the league this season as they have moved laterally into the NPL Premier Division from the Southern League Premier Central. Travel and attracting players could be a challenge for Quorn who finished in 8th in their league last season. 

Redcar Athletic 
Redcar blew away the NPL East Division last season, with an incredible 105 points and 140 goals. Redcar will be looking to continue this form into the league this season and will be looking to challenge for the title again. 

Stockton Town 
Stockton have made the playoffs in the last two seasons and will be looking to do the same again this time round. Stability in the club will once again be one of their main strengths, and with a couple of new players added to the squad they will looking at those playoff spots again. 

Warrington Rylands 
Last season’s beaten playoff finalists will be looking to challenge for the playoff places again this time around. Neil Reynolds’ side will again be hard to beat, and with the goals of Ben Hardcastle will be a threat against most teams. 

Warrington Town 
Warrington Town will be looking for a much improved performance in the league this time round, after an extremely disappointing 14th place finish last season. Paul Carden has brought in experienced players at this level and will be looking to Ewan Bange and Ben Elliot to fire Town up the league. 

Whitby Town 
Whitby only survived relegation on the last day of the season. A number of experienced players have left the club, most notably goalkeeper Shane Bland. This season could be another uphill struggle for them.

 Workington 
Manager Billy Barr performed a miracle to keep Workington in the league last season and will be looking to build on a excellent second half of the season this time out. Workington will have to get used to new surroundings as they have moved away from Borough Park into temporary accommodation until their new stadium is completed. 


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