It’s less than a week until the National League South (NLS) commences, we can finally begin to feel the excitement of nine months of cold Tuesday nights, heavyweight title fights and final day relegation scraps, the NLS never seems to disappoint. This season is set up to be the best ever, can Torquay and Dorking finally beat their playoffs curse, how will new boys and big money spenders Farnham adapt to the step up and which big team will go down to Step 3 that everyone predicted to be in and around the play offs (Eastbourne for me last season. But as we know when we reach the end of April 2027 all questions and queries will have been answered!
1st Dagenham and Redbridge (Champions)
It might be a shock to some predicting the East London side as champions but as a great admirer of Lee Allsion’s managerial work throughout non-league and the careful approach new investor and YouTube star KSI have taken, I think “the Daggers” are in a very good space. As many know Allison did extremely well at Hendon and Hemel, just missing out on promotion with the latter last season. Allison eye for talent and his ability to get results out of games through a more traditional approach saw him have success last season, and I expect the same this season. The owners have allowed for the proper non-league people to do the work, letting Allison clear the squad whilst bringing in a clear recruitment strategy, it’s now down to the players to do the talking.
Player to Watch – Archie Tamplin
2nd Torquay United (Playoffs)
I think it will be tight between Torquay and another team for the title (I’m hoping Dagenham!). however, the only thing stopping Torquay is themselves. Jimmy Ball has done well in keeping the bulk of his squad whilst adding extra experience and quality where needed. Holding onto Jordan Young and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton will be crucial as both have the ability to fire Torquay up the league even if the rest of the team is underperforming.
Player to Watch – Sonny Blu Lo-Everton
3rd Dorking Wanderers (Playoffs)
At the time of writing Dorking have just lost 5-0 to Step 3 side Bracknell however its pre-season so the abnormal is normal. Last season was full of mixed feelings, yes “the Wanderers” failed to get through the play offs but the fact they even reached that stage after dealing with a season long injury crisis showed the culture created by White. This season will be hard once again the loses of cult heroes Jason Prior, Niall McManus and Luke Moore will have to be replaced plus the huge and maybe understated loss of first team coach Rob Tuvey who was in charge of set pieces, an aspect that “the Wanderers” were particularly strong in last season. On paper, Dorking’s recruitment has been superb in recent years, but can they keep the squad fit is a different question.
Player to Watch – Harry Pinchard
4th Truro City (Playoffs)
Truro are coming off the back of a tough campaign in the National League, not scoring enough really hurt “the Tinners” last season. John Askey side must show more bravery in front of goal if they want to have a decent bounce back this season. They need to make sure talisman Tyler Harvey gets back to his best after finding the net 27 times the last time they were in the NLS. I think Askey and Truro are smart enough to do well this season.
Player to Watch – Domonic Johnson-Fisher
5th Ebbsfleet United (Playoffs)
Literally as I have started writing this, Ebbsfleet have just been suspended for the first three games do I think that will change anything, probably not. On a more positive note, I have been impressed by their recruitment, I’m a big admirer of Daniel Ogunleye and Ollie Box formally of Brentwood Town and Dartford. The level of experience within the squad should provide stability throughout the season with depth and options in every position, Josh Wright’s side should be expected to get in the play offs at a minimum.
Player to Watch – Olly Box
6th Maidenhead United (Playoffs)
The retirement of long serving manager Alan Devonshire in November of last season was impending but a bit of a shock mid-season, however Ryan Peters came in and pushed “the Magpies” back up the league. I believe it will be more of the same again this season and Peter’s will have his side consistent and potentially fly a little under the radar, and if they can get the best out of Josh Umerah, they could be a real force.
Player to Watch – Daniel Nkrumah
7th Chelmsford City (Playoffs)
Chelmsford’s first season as a full-time outfit was one that was probably expected, the club struggled to adapt behind the scenes and never really look like they had got going at points flirting with the play offs but in the end finishing in and around mid-table. This season should be different behind the scenes and the appointment of Mark Cooper shows one of maturity, Cooper is experienced within non-league and with a number of successes on his CV. Cooper has been able to retain the services of EFL experience in Mandela Egbo and club-captain Lyle Taylor whilst also adding quality and talent from Step 1 and 3 with former Southend full back Nathan Ralph and St Albans Talisman Leo Sery.
Player to Watch – Leo Sery
8th Billericay Town
It was an odd season for Billericay; they appointed Danny Scopes in September 2025 following a poor start to the Isthmian Prem season under Grant McCann. They then started poorly under Danny Scopes, and it looked to be another season of disappointment before a 13-match unbeaten run during which they won 10 in a row between February and the end of April eventually defeating Brentwood Town in the play off final. Scopes has added NLS quality in Worthing Champion Odei Maritn plus EFL experience in Mcauly Bonne whilst keeping hold of the spine of his squad from last year in Elliot Long and Callum Watts, Billericay could right up there.
Player to Watch – Elliot Long
9th Weston-Super-Mare
Weston will be hoping for better managerial stability this season after Scott Barlett left for Eastleigh in September 2025, Scott Rogers was then appointed as interim and then permanent as he secured “the Seagulls” a 6th place finish. Personally, I’m hoping Weston play better football this season however it’s the three points that matter at the end of the day. (Short one on Weston sorry.)
Player to Watch – Will Jenkins Davies
10th Maidstone United
The stones had another underwhelming season in the South which saw the departure of ex-Premier League icon and manager George Elokobi. Three seasons on from their relegation from the National League former assistant to Elokobi, Craig Fagan will take the reins. But I see this as a rebuild/long term project and Stones fans shouldn’t expect success this season, Fagan has good rid of some dead wood bringing in the Step 2 experience in Leon Gravata and Jayden Davies. Maybe the signing of the summer is new assistant Rob Tuvey a man highly rated from his time in the EFL with Wimbledon and the last couple of seasons with Dorking. Can his set piece nuance and eye for detail help Fagan in Maidstone’s bid for new success.
Player to Watch – Riley Court
11th Hemel Hempstead
Another club with a huge rebuild on their hands. Hemel have lost a whole management team and most of their squad off the back of an unbelievable season where they just missed out in the play offs. Lee Allison has made the switch to Dagenham; captain Kyle Ajayi has joined Forest Green and playmaker Isiah Noel-Willaims has departed for the EFL. But they need to allow Lee Bircham to have time, what he achieved at Bedford was extraordinary and he can do the same at Hemel. The signings Archie O’Brien, Jake Tabor and Josh Green by the way are filthy.
Player to Watch – Jesse Effa
12th Braintree Town
Braintree would have been a lot lower if they hadn’t have just had their transfer embargo lifted after receiving nearly half a million in external clause payments. John Still will hope they can muster together more than eight wins, but I do think Braintree need a complete rebrand and until that happens, they will be on the decline. Still has put together a balanced side the likes of Courtney Senior, Elliot Thrope and Alfie Matthews must step up to enable Braintree to blossom to the full.
Player to Watch – Fletcher Hubbard
13th Farnborough
People who know this level will understand that last year’s underachievement was an anomaly, long serving manager Spencer Day will be hoping that doesn’t happen again. Day has added to his squad with firepower in Josh Parker, Rashawn Scott and Micheal Reindorf, all Borough need is some consistency and a bit more bite.
Player to Watch – Kasim Aidoo
14th Folkestone
Jay Saunders back in the South could be something special but I think it will need a season of consolidation before they start to properly attack the top half. Saunders has been able to keep the majority of his title winning Isthmian side, whilst adding a trio of Isthmian League talent Harvey Kedwell, Alejandro Machado and Devonte West. The depth and experience up front might be some of the best in the league in former EFL Bagsmen Joe Piggott and John Akinde, there’s something special brewing on the coast of Kent.
Player to Watch – Devonte West
15th Tonbridge Angels
I was sceptical at the decision to part ways with Craig Pitman last season however since then Alan Dunne has been able to further stable the ship and make Tonbridge of the best part-time sides in the league. I think this season will be more of the same some highs some lows. However, “the Angel’s” smart recruitment this summer could prove key, keep an eye on trio Lexus Beeden, Sam Corne and Jephte Tanga who have joined from local rivals Maidstone.
Player to Watch – Bunmi Babajide
16th AFC Totton
Totton enjoyed a respectable mid-table finish last season having been promoted the season before, this year I believe it will be more of the same. Again, the aim will be to survive and build another year, Scott Rendell has got rid of some that couldn’t quite adapt and brought in that much needed quality. More of the same please. (Again, sorry for the length).
Player to Watch – Reuben Livesey-Austin
17th Horsham
Horsham took the NLS by storm in the first half of last season under the tactical masterclass of Dom Di Paola, but they seemed to run of steam in the second half finishing in comfortably in the bottom half. This season may well be a struggle again given the small budget the club operates on, and they added increases in finical power in the league. But I trust Di Paola and adding the likes of Nial McManus from Dorking and Sam Howles from Dagenham shows real intent.
Player to Watch – Jamie Yila
18th Chesham
Chesham surprised a number of people last season finishing 11th just missing out on the play offs. A drop off is expected this season but like Totton they have added the correct balance to go again. Joseph Adewumni will be one to watch having recently been brought in from Dulwich, they have also raided other Step 3 side in Cheshunt and Hanwell bringing in wing back Lordon Akolbire and centre half Harry Hoath.
Player to Watch – Joseph Adewumni
19th Hampton and Richmond
Like most part time sides in the league, H&R have been surviving but are yet to break into the bracket of one of the most effective small sides. However, Alan Dawson could be the difference, having already led “the Beavers” to a promotion and their highest finish in the NLS. Dawson has added the likes of young talents in Pat Nash and Sak Hassan, plus retaining Rohan Ince and Reece Grego Cox.
Player to Watch – Pat Nash
20th Salisbury
Even with big money owners Salisbury spent the end of last season looking over their shoulders, a season build around survival rather than progression. Brain Dutton will be looking for more this season, hopefully added investment and stability behind the scenes will see development.
Player to Watch – Dan Ellison
21st Slough Town (Relegated)
The departure of Scott Davies to Aldershot may be more detrimental than most think, Scott identified how to compete as a small fish in a big pond. His ability to find talent within the levels below and develop them all whilst improving his team was second to none. New gaffer Alan Julian has a huge task in trying to steer Slough to safety once again, so far Julian has recruited smartly bringing in young star Goerge Voster and the experience of Keenan Quansah but with the league becoming ever more competitive finically do they have enough firepower to beat the drop again?
Player to Watch – Jaiden Drakes Thomas
22nd Farnham Town (Relegated)
This may be the most controversial prediction, but that doesn’t take away from owner Harry Hugo Farnham’s superb strategy and rise. However, after three successive promotions I think this season may be a slight culture shock to “The Town”. Recruitment wise I have been impressive a blend proven step 2 players in Jack Spong and Rakish Bingham plus the added EFL experience of Sam Hutchinson shows the pull and scale of the project Farnham have. Tactically I think they will be caught out, yes, they have added Sam Hawkins as Head Coach, but will that be enough to keep Farnham up? I’m not sure.
Player to Watch – Owen Dean
23rd Dover Athletic (Relegated)
Dover started quickly like most of the promoted sides last season but had periods of inconsistency which led to a 16th place finish. The back line will have to gel this season, plus the added firepower of Sonny Fish and Kola Salami need to hit the ground running. Jake Leberl will be hoping he can get a couple more bodies through the door and add a little quality otherwise I think they will struggle.
Player to Watch – Kola Salami
24th Walton and Hersham (Relegated)
As a Dulwich supporter the appointment of club legend Kevin James has made me a little more optimistic for ‘the Swans’, but only time will tell how well he can adapt from academy football to men’s football. Again, like Farnham, W&H recent rise has been exceptional but like mentioned with Farnham, Step 2 is where finical power doesn’t guarantee success. Recruitment wise W&H have lost big names in Johl Powell and Jos Barker to Yeovil and replaced the large majority of outgoings with young talents. I think a lack of experience in the management and playing staff will see “the Swans” struggle.
Player to Watch – Sam German
Thank you for reading and please share!
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