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| clubs a-z |
| bristol rovers h:Oct 6 a:Jan 26 last season:21st (div 2) manager: Gerry Francis |
| Rovers
have hung on to most of last season's squad and the
return of former manager Gerry Francis is seen by their
fans as a sign that they will quickly return to the
Second Division. Certainly their relegation was
unexpected but not entirely a surprise following the
sales of so many top-rated players in recent seasons.
Players such as Jamie Cureton, Jason Roberts & Barry
Hayles have proved virtually impossible to replace. The
decision to sell teenage prospect Bobby Zamora to
Brighton for £100,000 now looks foolhardy. 20-year-old
forward Nathan Ellington is expected to shine though and
defender Steve Foster looks a quality player at this
level. IN: Weare, Bubb OUT: Rating :  Recommended
website: Bristol
Rovers Online |
| UNITED last season:22nd manager: Roddy Collins |
| Roddy
Collins becomes the fourth man in four seasons to take on
'Mission Impossible'. His task is to restore a battered
old vehicle into a gleaming limousine fit for First
Division football. However he has to achieve this with no
money as Michael Knighton and co continue to rule the
roost at Brunton Park despite untold efforts to complete
a sale. With no major arrivals, and a host of last
season's squad leaving, the prospects look considerably
worse than they were at the end of last season, which
finished on a high note under Ian Atkins. United were
unbeaten in seven home games and hadn't conceded in the
last six. Now it looks as though they will need at least
the three new signings Collins has been told he can make
in order to emulate the 22nd place finish of last time.
There are a good crop of youngsters coming through, but
they remain untested in the heat of battle and
realistically, only a couple will probably make the
grade. IN: Varty OUT: Dobie, Hemmings, Squires, Connelly, Darby, Heggs Rating : |
| cheltenham town h:Feb 23 a:Sep 15 last season:10th manager: Steve Cotterill |
| Steve
Cotterill's unfancied side have done very well since
their promotion from the Conference two seasons ago but
they have just missed out on the play-offs each time.
During the close season they acquired experienced keeper
Carl Muggleton from Stoke and signed Keith Hill from
Rochdale on a free transfer. With only a few changes to
their squad, the Robins from Whaddon Road should be there
or thereabouts once again. IN: Hill, Muggleton, Jones OUT: Freeman, Sertori Rating : Recommended
website : Robin's
Nest |
| darlington h:Dec 26 a:Sep 8 last season:20th manager: Gary Bennett |
| Darlo will
hope to bounce back from a season of discontent by
winning promotion in their last season at Feethams. The
move to a gleaming new stadium on the outskirts of town
should be accompanied by a move up to Division Two if
owner George Reynolds' grandiose plans are to be
fulfilled. However most fans remain sceptical, citing
lack of transfer funds to match the extravagence of the
new ground. The addition of striker Barry Conlon from
York should help a little, but they will need to improve
a lot otherwise Reynolds' lofty ambitions may turn out to
be as unfulfilled as Michael Knighton's. IN: Maddison, Conlon, Betts OUT: J.Williams, Hjorth, Beavers, Tait Rating : Recommended
website : WTMG
Interactive |
| exeter city h:Feb 16 a:Oct 13 last season: 19th manager: Noel Blake |
| I tipped
the Grecians for the drop last year and with three months
of the season to go, they looked like they would fulfill
my prophecy. Then they went and appointed Steve Perryman
as technical advisor to Noel Blake and spoilt my
predicition totally. A spirited recovery under the
guidance of the former Spurs' legend helped them up to
19th spot and Blake has been busy again this summer,
looking to chop and change things. However enigmatic
striker Steve Flack and former Cardiff man Christian
Roberts both look likely to be key men this season. Blake
likes experience and his capture of veteran former
Bournemouth and Torquay defender Alex Watson alongside
much-travelled striker Sean McCarthy continues that
trend. IN: McCarthy, Richardson, Barlow, Watson OUT: Ashton, Cooper, Holloway, Inglethorpe, Rawlinson, Speakman, Wilkinson Rating : Recommended
website : ExeWeb |
| halifax town h:Oct 27 a:Mar 30 last season:23rd manager: Paul Bracewell |
| In
contrast to Roddy Collins, Paul Bracewell has not been
short of financial support in the close season after a
close shave with relegation last time. By bringing in
useful players such as Paul Harsley from Scunthorpe,
released Preston defender Dominic Ludden and
ex-Hartlepool man Craig Midgley, Bracewell appears to
have significantly upgraded the squad and Town should, if
they play to their potential, achieve a much higher
placing. The recent takeover at The Shay looks like
bearing some fruit. IN: Harsley, Ludden, Midgley, Woodward, Swales, Crookes, Mawson OUT: Potter Rating : |
| hartlepool united h:Feb 2 a:Sep 29 last season:4th manager: Chris Turner |
| Pool
suffered the agony of play-off defeat for the second
season running and they were forced into selling their
prize asset Tommy Miller to Ipswich Town during the close
season. However Chris Turner has not been idle in the
transfer market and the signings of Tommy Widdrington
(Port Vale), Darrell Clarke (Mansfield) and Richie
Humphreys (Cambridge) should go some way to filling the
gap. Although not the best-supported team in the land,
they are still on an upward curve following a club-record
undefeated run last season and should be play-off
contenders again. IN: Widdrington, Bass, Clarke, Humphreys OUT: Miller, Midgley, Shilton Rating : |
| hull city h:Aug 25 a:Jan 5 last season:6th manager: Brian Little |
| The big
spenders of the close season (over £600,000) are many
people's favourites for the title after their thrilling
run to the play-offs last time. Almost going bust in the
middle of the campaign didn't prove disastrous for the
Tigers, who have never played in the top flight despite
residing in a city with a population of almost 300,000
people. Brian Little, given freedom to deal by new
chairman Adam Pearson, responded with a slew of signings,
including our very own goalkeeping hero Matty Glennon and
highly-impressive midfielder Ryan Williams from
Chesterfield. The biggest problem he will have is finding
room for them all in his first team. May take time to
gel, but should be very close to the top come May. IN: Holt, Lee, Bloomer, Glennon, Johnsson, Alexander, Kerr, R.Williams, Dudfield, Beresford, Price, Mohan, Petty OUT: Harris, Atkins, Eyre, Brown, Wilson, Francis, Swales, Perry, Wood, Morley Rating : Recommended
website : HullCity.com |
| kidderminster harriers h:Oct 20 a:Feb 9 last season:16th manager: Jan Molby |
| Flattered
to deceive somewhat last season after starting out as
though they might make the play-offs. A post-Christmas
nosedive partly precipitated by the FA Cup exit at our
hands meant Jan Molby had plenty to think about. Quite
active in making changes, Molby picked up Sam Shilton,
Peter's son, from the released list but lost Neil
MacKenzie to Blackpool. IN: D.Williams, Shilton, Lewis, Blake, Joy, Abdou OUT: MacKenzie, Skovbjerg, Clarke, Pope Rating : Recommended
website : Harriers Online |
| leyton orient h:Jan 12 a:Aug 18 last season:5th manager: Tommy Taylor |
| After the
desperately disappointing 99-00 season, the O's bounced
back to reach the play-offs but still ended up
disappointed after losing the play-off final to Blackpool
at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium - their second play-off
final loss in three seasons. Tommy Taylor's side were
very consistent and will be looking to repeat the feat.
However they sold Carl Griffiths to Luton Town and may be
looking to non-league capture Gary Fletcher to replace
him. IN: Fletcher, Canham, Hadland, Oakes, Minton, Brown OUT: Griffiths, Walschaerts Rating : |
| lincoln city h:Sep 22 a:Mar 2 last season:18th manager: Alan Buckley |
| The fans'
takeover and appointment of experienced manager Alan
Buckley combined to save Lincoln from possible relegation
last season. A worrying slide during February meant Phil
Stant and George Foster were given the chop and in came
Buckley to work his magic on the struggling Imps. Buckley
has brought in experience in the form of ex-Nottingham
Forest and Grimsby winger Kingsley Black while his own
son Adam is now also on the payroll. IN: Black, Pettinger, Morgan, A.Smith, Buckley OUT: Welsh Rating : Recommended
website : Imps
Online |
| luton town h:Aug 11 a:Jan 19 last season:22nd (Div 2) manager: Joe Kinnear |
| The
Hatters suffered a nightmare relegation campaign last
year and slipped into the bottom flight for the first
time in 33 years. Joe Kinnear has been given the task of
resurrecting the club. Two former Colchester players in
Aaron Skelton and veteran keeper Carl Emberson have
arrived to help out and striker Carl Griffiths was
recruited from Leyton Orient. A lot may depend on young
and upcoming talent like Lee Mansell as Luton are still
struggling financially. Should go well though in this
company. IN: Skelton, Griffiths, Emberson, Nicholls OUT: Helin, Stein Rating : |
| macclesfield town h:Apr 1 a:Nov 3 last season:14th manager: Gil Prescott |
| Town's
home form just about kept them above the relegation
dogfight last season but it was still a worryingly
inconsistent season for one of the worst-supported sides
in the country. Still reeling from the loss of Sammy
McIlroy, the Silkmen turned to little-known Gil Prescott
to try and turn around their fortunes. Consistent Darren
Tinson was a rock in defence but goalscoring may need a
boost and it could be aided by the arrival of former CUFC
target Kyle Lightbourne from Stoke City. Ex-United
striker Richard Tracey was signed mid-season and his
career has taken off since his switch to Moss Rose. IN: Byrne, Ridler, Lightbourne OUT: Ingram, Wood, Durkan, Collins Rating : |
| mansfield town h:Nov 10 a:Apr 20 last season:13th manager: Bill Dearden |
| After
investing quite heavily in the squad last summer, the
Stags were very disappointing and finished in a mediocre
13th spot. Chris Greenacre's goals were a bonus but they
need to improve in all areas to mount a promotion
challenge and the capture of veteran full back Allen
Tankard may help in the defensive areas. The loss of
Darrell Clarke to Hartlepool is a bit of a blow however. IN: Bingham, Reddington, Tankard OUT: Clarke, Blake Rating : |
| oxford united h:Mar 23 a:Oct 23 last season:24th (Div 2) manager: Mark Wright |
| Following
a disastrous campaign that ended in relegation, the Bulls
appointed former player Mark Wright as manager in
succession to David Kemp. Nothing went right last time
out in the Second Division and Wright must be expected to
consolidate in the Third and a quick return can't be
ruled out. The move to the new Hassam Stadium should be a
boost to attendances and Wright has been quite shrewd in
the transfer market, bringing two former Southport
players with him in Phil Bolland and Scott Guyett.
Ex-Barnet defender Sam Stockley should also be a useful
addition. Ex-Wimbledon midfielder Peter Fear was amongst
those released. IN: Bolland, Guyett, Thomas, Stockley, Savage OUT: Fear, Anthrobus, Linighan, Jarman Rating : |
| plymouth argyle h:Apr 13 a:Nov 24 last season:12th manager: Paul Sturrock |
| Argyle
again failed to live up to their billing and parted
company with the management duo of Kevin Hodges and Steve
McCall early in the campaign. Paul Sturrock arrived and
the Scotsman appeared to stabilise things although he is
now looking to re-build. Out go Paul McGregor, Sean
McCarthy and Mick Heathcote. Graham Coughlan from
Livingston is the first sign of Sturrock's Scottish
scouting network. How many others are willing to travel
400 miles-plus south is another matter. A season of
transition ahead I think. IN: Coughlan OUT: McGregor, Heathcote, Barlow, McCarthy Rating : |
| rochdale h:Sep 1 a:Jan 1 last season:8th manager: Steve Parkin |
| Dale have
a habit of just missing out on the play-offs - and last
season was no exception. A collapse in the latter half of
the campaign was arrested thanks largely to the capture
of £150,000 striker Paul Connor from Stoke. Phil Hadland
has departed to Leyton Orient, Kieron Durkan pops in from
Macclesfield. Manager Steve Parkin is looking to do a bit
of fine tinkering to turn his consistently classy side
into promotion favourites. The odds are they might just
be edged out again by bigger, more ambitious clubs. IN: Griffiths, Durkan, Green, Doughty OUT: Hill, Monington, Ellis, Hadland Rating : |
| rushden & diamonds h:Jan 22 a:Dec 22 last season:1st (Conference) manager: Brian Talbot |
| The Max
Griggs roadshow finally arrives in the Football League
after several seasons of frustration in the Conference.
The big-spending, hugely ambitious Northamptonshire club
will be expected to become instant promotion challengers
after investing heavily in both squad and ground. Brian
Talbot brought in Yeovil's Warren Patmore and Tony
Pennock to add a bit more depth to a good looking first
team line-up. Duane Darby will be expected to score the
goals that could send the Diamonds up a division at the
first time of asking. IN: Patmore, Pennock OUT: Sale Rating : Recommended
website : The
Diamonds FC |
| scunthorpe united h:Dec 1 a:Mar 16 last season:9th manager: Brian Laws |
| The Iron
dropped back to Division 3 after a season in the 2nd in
which they looked a little out of their depth. Last
season was one of consolidation but fans had expected a
lot more. Russ Wilcox excelled at the back but up front
Scunthorpe were lacking. Somersaulting winger Peter
Beagrie has arrived to add experience and depth and Carl
Bradshaw is another shrewd capture. They will miss Paul
Harsley though who signed for Halifax. IN: Bradshaw, Beagrie, Grant OUT: Stamp, Harsley Rating : Recommended
website : Iron
Bru |
| shrewsbury town h:Nov 20 a:Apr 6 last season:15th manager: Kevin Ratcliffe |
| An
improvement of seven places last season needs to be built
on by Kevin Ratcliffe. He has been busy during the summer
and the purchase of players such as Mark Atkins, Darren
Moss and Mick Heathcote suggests he feels Town need more
experience in key areas. They lack a goalscorer and will
be looking for an improvement from Chris Freestone, the
former United loan player. Sam Aiston was fairly
impressive as a creator of chanes. IN: Walker, Cartwright, Heathcote, Atkins, Moss OUT: Rating : Recommended
website : STFC Terrace Talk |
| southend united h:Mar 5 a:Sep 25 last season:11th manager: David Webb |
| David
Webb's return to Roots Hall brought about something of an
improvement although play-off hopes faded during the
run-in and he has been out to add to his squad during the
close season. The fans are very much on Webb's side and
his love of southern-based players led to the summer
signings of ex-Chelsea man Stephen Broad, Tony Richards
(Barnet) and Leon Cort from Millwall. Whether Webb can
start to return the Essex club to former glories remains
to be seen though. Kevin Maher was impressive last term
and Damon Searle appeared to have recaptured his best
form after signing from us in the summer. IN: B.Smith, Risbridger, Broad, Gay, Harris, Cort, Richards OUT: Lee, Abbey, Williamson Rating : |
| swansea city h:mar 9 a:Dec 15 last season:23rd (Div 2) manager: John Hollins |
| The Swans
crashed to relegation in Division Two and must arrest the
slide this season. John Hollins, a hero 12 months ago for
delivering the Third Division title, is now cast as
villain. Failure to strenghten the squad was the main
reason for City's slide back to the basement. Exotic
overseas captures Nicholas Mazzina and Mamady Sidibe
suggest Hollins is prepared to cast his net wide to lift
the Vetch Field side back up a division. However big
target man John Williams has signed from Darlington and
that rather suggests a long-ball game could be the dish
of the day. They won't like that in the valleys. IN: J.Williams, Mazzina, Sidibe OUT: Rating : Recommended
website : Swansea City AFC |
| torquay united h:Dec 29 a:Aug 27 last season:21st manager: Roy McFarland |
| Roy
McFarland took the job Ian Atkins turned down to try and
steer Torquay away from the disaster that so nearly
befell them last season. Only a famous 3-2 win at Barnet
kept them in the league, sending down the Bees in the
process. McFarland will need to bring in players sharpish
because the Gulls released Alex Watson, Gary Neil, John
Gayle and Robbie Herrera. If he repeats his promotion
season at Cambridge of two years ago, he'll probably get
the freedom of the city. Personally I don't think that
will happen. IN: Russell OUT: Gayle, Neil, Herrera, Watson Rating : |
| york city h:Sep 18 a:Feb 26 last season:17th manager: Terry Dolan |
| Slashed
their squad in the summer and the knives will be out for
Terry Dolan if he gets off to a bad start, as he did last
season. Only a late run of good results kept them out of
the last-week relegation struggle. They may need all of
Darren Edmondson's commitment to keep them up again this
term. Long-serving Wayne Hall has been released and Steve
Agnew was another to feel the chop during the summer. IN: C.Smith OUT: Alcide, Conlon, Hogg, B.Jones, Turley, Agnew, Hall, Skinner, McNiven Rating : Recommended
website : Red
& Blue Net |
| predicted final table | |
| pos | team |
| 1 | hull city |
| 2 | bristol rovers |
| 3 | rushden & diamonds |
| 4 | luton town |
| 5 | leyton orient |
| 6 | hartlepool united |
| 7 | scunthorpe united |
| 8 | halifax town |
| 9 | cheltenham town |
| 10 | rochdale |
| 11 | darlington |
| 12 | oxford united |
| 13 | plymouth argyle |
| 14 | swansea city |
| 15 | mansfield town |
| 16 | lincoln city |
| 17 | southend united |
| 18 | kidderminster harriers |
| 19 | shrewsbury town |
| 20 | torquay united |
| 21 | carlisle united |
| 22 | york city |
| 23 | exeter city |
| 24 | macclesfield town |
United's struggle to stay
in this division looks set to continue into the
coming season, although hopes of a long-awaited
takeover linger on. Whether Roddy Collins can
continue the good work of Ian Atkins remains to
be seen. He has another mammoth task on his
hands.