My top 3 -Gresley, kings lynn and belper.I know Alan and I picked grantham and ilkeston last season -).kidsgrove I think we will survive, mid table would be very respectable considering the massive changes. Also halesowen, chasetown possible play off contenders along with Sheffield. This season's line up is alot tougher than any other season,most of the new teams have large away followings, so should bump up the average attendance figures

Looking forward to next season, can the green army join the blue army, hope to make loads more away games.:)

Bring on the away day specials -)

I honestly can't wait!! :D

More difficult this year, but here goes:

Kings Lynn I think will win the league. Lots of support/money and will be stronger for the fact it's taken them two years to get out of the UCL.

Also up there Sheffield and Belper, who have decent resources behind them. Stamford seem to be making some big signings too. I'd see Carlton completing the play-offs.

Surprise package may be Hucknall who seem to be sorting out their problems and have a new manager and chairman. Gresley and Chasetown should also be there or thereabouts.

I'll say King's Lynn and Belper to go up.

Hooray ,we have started talking football instead of trying to knock each other,long may it continue, me, I don,t know enough about this level of football to predict,but I will have a go.
1, Craftman,s wife to unpick the stitching on his trouser pockets to enable him to get to his wallet to buy a round.
2, Reece at least once in the season to award the referee 8/10.
3, Coop to return (please God) to carry on the his brilliant work with the pitch.
4, Lizzie to give a solo rendition over the P.A, of Hey Big Spender (Shirley Bassey style) whilst serenading J,R.
5, Taxi Paul ,to buy some toffees to hand out during the game.
6, The Mighty Grove to finish mid table.
And lastly, Matty Haddrell to score another (in off of his arse ) own goal at the Seddon.
Talking to someone yesterday in Tunstall I was led to believe that Kins and Scruff were talking with Shaun if this is true then it,s a good start,can anyone confirm this?

Ray,Just an idea, for those of us who do not know Shaun very well, would it be possble when the dust has settled to have a Manager meets the Fans night for all of us to be aware what he has in mind ? it would perhaps bring in a bit of revenue over the bar.

A mate of mine, think he knows kinsey, told me the same news, he thought a few were signing -),don't know who yet,but looking positive I think,Messi still chewing over the offer,maybe it's your free sweets he's after honda -)

There is nothing like a bit of optimism and I would suggest expectations of a comfortable mid-table position is indeed an optimistic view.

The more sober target for the new management team next season is likely to be to stay in the division. Considering the issues that will have to be addressed that is a tall enough order.

More of last seasons experienced Step 4 players may yet return for next season but my information is the same as has been stated elsewhere; that only Kinsey and Scruff have so far had any sort of dialogue with the new management. I understand that up to six first team regulars have pretty well committed themselves elsewhere.

Tighter budget levels and adherence will dictate that the replacements for those who do depart are likely to be younger players with little or no experience of this level. I have no doubt this will involve a number of the better NWCL players along with one or two lads who have not broken into the starting line ups of the more local clubs at Evo Stik level on a regular basis.

This type of player will need skilful and patient guidence from Shaun and his team while they adjust.

Its not rocket science to anticipate the early weeks of the season as having the potential for difficult moments. I would again point in the direction of Newcastle Town as an example.

They were faced with an almost identicle situation last summer (arguably even more testing). It was made clear that their new management team were only targeted with survival and crucially when some poor results occured they were able to rely on the full support of the off field team including Chairman and Directors. They were ultimately able to add to the young players within the club and attract in other quality youngsters that enabled them to ultimately surpass targets. They have arguably the best group of 18/19 year olds outside of the pro clubs for miles around and have been allowed to adjust to "mens" football with the minimum of pressure.

The key is a united off field team. It is unclear if that position exists at Kidsgrove but it must if the new management team is not to be undermined before they start. It would be reassuring to hear the directors who are posting here give some assurances that any potential for infighting has been put aside.

p.s. Im not Dave Johnson, just a football supporter who has enjoyed over the years following Kidsgrove and more letely Newcastle Town.

Any idea if any grove players have actually signed for anyone else,would of thought jj and Danny bull would have a great chance of a first team place if they stayed now along with shots. If Andy Taylor and kins stay these experienced heads would help the others.

I was told Friday that JJ maybe going Castle town(College links) and Norton were confident about landing Scruff and Beest. With all the work going on there and if they add the players they want they may be joining Kidsgrove next season. They have got a forward thinkin and ambitious chairman driving them forward.

Can't see them going norton, very poor facilities, million miles away from kidsgrove
That to me would be a big step backwards and Andy Taylor could play at a much higher level than EVO div 1

Ave you been Norton recently ?, they are a club with ambitions. Don't forget the Scott Dundas connection. In Steve Beaumont they Ave got there own Mick Fitzjohn. They Ave taken the Stoke friendly we had lined up.

Yep went cup match this season in April, great team that works for each other,but it was the worst ground I've visited, no atmosphere, but think the board there is doing an excellent job, but there is only so far you could take norton, can't believe they would ever get into the evostik league with that set up,would need 100,000 plus spending on upgrades

They've just spent 90000 + on ground improvements in the closed season, in addition provided a proper budget for pitch works for close season and during the season. I must say I don't think any of the grounds I visited last season a patch on Kidsgrove, Leek being the exception. Kidsgrove is a proper non league ground.

I must admit kidsgrove and leek are the best grounds in the league, witton albion is another good one at This level,I've visited about 60/70 non league grounds and ours in definitely top 5 ,norton need another couple stands really, but there is only ourselves and leek with 4 stands, it must be a favourite for away fans .It will be tough for norton but expect a top 15 finish.

Halesowen is a nice ground to visit, if they R doing well they get upto 800 in with a proper atmosphere.

Kings Lynn should be lively too!

800 at the grove would be nice, anyway coop you can't leave you'd miss the number 1 message board in the UK

Some big and well supported clubs in there this season, hope u can survive

Think kings lynn average 900 at home, I'm sure Alan knows if this is correct, think halesowen average about 350 along with Gresley

Ye, Halesowen Ave struggled last couple of seasons and still averaged 300 +. When I went 3 seasons ago they were in top 5 and had 800 very vocal supporters in (Yeltz) I think they R known as. Players come out from behind the goal which is solely occupied by their supporters.

Not a ground I've visited before, so look forward to my visit along with the flags.

Winsford utd manager left today, isn't our first friendly against them, could be interesting if a certain person takes charge

Can't see that happenin

Can't see wardy taking any job below evostik first division, don't think he will have too,but you never know

i think we will all be surprised where he turns up next.....

I wont....... ;)

Come on guys, it's a little early to be lining up Roy's replacement! :D

Where are the best odds for where he will end up

My money is on...............................................Kidsgrove !!

Leek

So is mine :D

Blue Mugge,
Hey up pal, hows things with young Curt ? is he coming back to Kidsgrove (hopefully )? you know I rate him.
With regard to Wardy I would like to think you are right but if you are then some people at the Seddon will be eating humble pie for breakfast, dinner and tea for at least a month, if he does,nt then I shall be behind the new manager and his players wholeheartedly,I will settle for a season of consolidation before trying to be too ambitious .
Pretty boring without proper football at the moment I can,t wait for the season to begin all this diving, and drama at the European championship is getting up my nose.
See you at the pre-seasons?

A bit of a crafty but late edit there Blue Mugge!

Is your money now off wardy or have you retracted in a politically correct manner?

;)

[A bit of a crafty but late edit there Blue Mugge!

Is your money now off wardy or have you retracted in a politically correct manner?
]

Not sure what this means, but my money is still on Pete Ward returning to Kidsgrove !!!